Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-27
The Crop Prospect.

from all parts of the country in relation to
the prospects of the crops for the year. In
an editorial it gives the following interesting
summary:
In the New England States there has obvi-
ously been considerable revival OF agrlcul-
tire. While, for many years, the young men
of these States have sought better returns for
their labor. either in mechanical pursuits OF
in trade. or in farming at the West, there l.
now perceptible tendency to get back to the
tilling of the land. In the neighborbood OF
cities more small farming is being done. not
producing anything for shipment, but sup
plying in part a demand which has for long
time drawn upon other sections. In the
strictly agricultural portions of these States
there has been good deal of change in the
ownership of land, and larger farms are
forming under the control of men command
ing more capital. whose better-directcd man
agcment is producing better results. As TO
he specific crops. il NAV be said that, while
miscellaneous cereal products and fruits prom
Use we'll the grass crop, with its attendant
products of the dairY. is decidedly increased.
Probably il would he safe to say that New
England will contribute at least 10 per cent.
more of hav. and of butter, cheese. and stock
than last year.
In what are ordinarily called the Middle
States. including New York. Pennsylvania.
%cw Jersey. Delaware and Maryland and
embracing the territory between the Ale
.,hanics and the Atlantic. and between Ne"
England and Virginia the crops are of a very
varied nature. With the exception of dairy
products and fruit. they are principally i'm
portant as related to the consumption OF thu
vast population occupying this region, and
4 II in tb.r Y,t1r ~,
Of the cereals. il NAV be inferred that wheat
will be more largely raised than last wear
corn somew hat more, and the other crops
nearly the same. The fruit CROPS, and es
peciallv that of peaches, promises well, with
some exceptions, and NAV be set d0sn As
everywhere at least up to the average and in
some sections decidedly larger.
In the West and Northwest from which
region are to be drawn the enormous supplies
Of wheat and corn necessary to our constant
" and rapidly growing population, the re-
ports As to both corn aud wheat are flattcring
As tn wheat no considerable probable falling
off is reported in any State except Kansas
Illinois promises an average crop; Ohio an
increase to possibly 30,000,00o bushels
81 900 0o0 larger even than the
last two wears Minnesota 30 O00, 600 Il large
increase: Nebraska an increase of 20 per
cent, and a probable total of 5000, 00n
Iowa. Indiana and Wisconsin, as large Il crop
as last year and probable considerable in
crease.
As to corn, all the States of the West prom
Use an increase with the exception of Indiana
where il has been abandoned to some extent
for wheat. I'm some of these States. the
changes which have been going on during the
last twelve months are very remarkable. In
Il anl Y ulrngl tbarl has haan "A laru9
increase of population. reaching in the latter
State 60. 900 souls. In other States. with
considerable increase of population there has
been marked increase in the enterprise and
activity of the agricultural class.
In the Southern States. the prospect, are
not So strikingly improved As in some other
sections, but the reports are encouraging
Cotton j. reported rs up to the average in
Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ar
kansas. and as promising an increase in Nir
ginia. South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana
and Texas In Mississippi alone II loss is to
be anticipated. The recent rise in the price of
cotton came early enough to stimulate plant
ing, and though there has been some Difficult
tv on account of the weather. and some re
planting has been required there is much
ground for anticipating large crop. Should
prices be sustained the current year will be
prosperous one for the c0tton-plantVrs. Al
the same time, il NAV be remarked that an
increase in corn is indicated in all the South
crn States except Arkansas and Missouri.
where there is a falling Off and in South Car
Dina and Georgia, where, however, an aver
age crop is expected. In tobacco, there is
percep,iblc, but not large, increase Indicated
in the South, and larger one in the North.
Rice promises poorly in Louisiana and well
in South Carolina and Georgia. In wool and
stock-the staple products Of TeNas--thcre
will be decided increase.
The general conclusions to be drawn from
our reports are that our agricultural products
will this year probably he larger than ever
before. and certainly will be very large We
,hal have a heavy surplus of wheat and corn
70 export. With the tlattering prospects rs
to corn and grass, it is safe to assume that
the surplus of provisions, of pork, beef lard
and of butter and cheese. will also b. con>id-
cradle. At the same time We are likely to
have abundant food al reasonable priccs-ar
important element in the competition which
pur manufacturers are entering on with those
If other nations. and still more important in
the general problem of home commerce. II
many of our reports will he found statements
rs 20 the rates of wages and the condition of
general business. These all agree that while
wages are low. employment is more uniform
and business more active than for a long time
From whatever stand point, therefore, we re-
gard the immediate future. We have reason to
be encouraged.