The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-05
The Crop Prospect.


reports from thirty-four States and one Ter
ritory of the condition Of the various crops
in the United States, occupying twenty-five
columns OF that journal. This remarkable
enterprise, embracing so much valuable and
opportune information, is alluded to in the
following editorial in the same paper, giving
q summary OF the information conveyed:
We present our readers this morning with
an extensive series of reports from every
State in the Union except those on the Pacific
Coast, giving the best information available to
our correspondents with reference to the con-
dition and prospects OF the crops. This infor-
nation has been carefully gathered by intel.
ligent men, and will, we are confident, be
found interesting and valuable. 1t will be
understood, of course, that at this season of
the year any estimates Of the actual produc-
ton must be held open to revision but it is
quite possible, in most sections, to arrive at
substantially correct idea of the acreage
devoted to the various crops, and to form a
judgment not without value as to the indi-
cations OF the yield. This is what we have
aimed to enable our readers to do. On the
whole, the prospect is encouraging.
In the New England States there has OBJ
viously been a considerable revival OF agri-
culture. While, for many years, the young
men Of these States have sought better returns
for their labor, either in mechanical pursuits
or in trade, or in farming at the West, there
is now perceptible tendency to get back to
the tilling of the land. In the neighborhood
of cities more small farming is being done,
not producing anything for shipment. but
supplying in part demand which has for
long time drawn upon other sections. In
the strictly agricultural portions of these
toto hoo hon U0nd daa1 of oh
in the ownership of land, and larger farms
are forming under the control of men COM
handing more capital whose better directed
management is producing better results. AS
to the specific crops, it may be said that,
while miscellaneous cereal products and
fruits promise well, the grass crop. with its
attendant products Of the dairy, is decidedly
increased. Probably it would be safe to say
that New-England will contribute at least
10 per cent. more of hay, and of butter,
cheese, and stock, than last year.
In what are ordinarily called the Middle
States, including New-York, Pennsy
New-Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, and
embracing the territory between the ALLIE
ghanies and the Atlantic, and between New
England and Virginia, the crops are of a
very varied nature. With the exception of
dairy products and fruit, they are principally
important as related to the consumption OF
the vast population occupying this region,
and for the most part engaged in other pur-
suits. OF the cereals, it may be inferred
that wheat will be more largely raised than
last year; corn somewhat more, and the
other crops nearly the same. The fruit
crop, and especially that of peaches, prom
ises well, with some exceptions, and may be
set down as everywhere at least up to the
average, and in some sections decidedly
larger.
In the West and Northwest, from which re-
gion are to be drawn the enormous supplies
OF wheat aud corr necessary to Our constantly
and rapidly growing population, the reports
as to both corn and wheat are flattering. AS
to wheat. no considerable probable falling
off is reported in any State except Kansas.
Illinois promises an average crop; Ohio an
increase to possibly 20, 600, 900 bushels; Mich
igan 81, 100000, larger even than the last
two years; Minnesota 30000,000, a large
increase Nebraska an increase of 20 per
cent, and a probable total of $4,000, 900 !;
Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin, as large
crop as last year and probable considerable
increase. AS to corn, all the States of the
West promise an increase with the exception
Of Indiana, where it has been abandoned to
some extent for wheat. In some of these
States, the changes which have been going
on during the last twelve months are very
remarkable. In Kansas and Nebraska there
has been large increase of population,
reaching in the latter State 60, 0C0 souls. In
other States, with considerable increase of
population, there has been marked increase
in the enterprise and activity of the agricui-
tural class.
In the Southern States, the prospects are
r,ct SO striklngly improved as in some other
sections, but the reports are encouraging
Cotton is reported as up to the average in
Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and
Arkansas, and as promising an increase in
Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisi-
ana. and Texas. In Mississippi alone loss
is to be anticipated. The recent rise in the
price OF cotton came early enough to stimu
late planting, and though there has been
some difficulty on account of the weather,
and some replanting has been required.
there is much ground for anticipating large
crop. Should prices be sustained, the cur
rent year will be prosperous one for the
cotton-plahters. At the same time, it may be
remarked that an increase in corn is indicated
in all the Southern States except Arkansas
and Missouri, where there is a falling off,
and in Sourh- Carolina and Georgia, where,
however, an average crop is expected. In
tobacco, there is perceptible, but not large,
increase indicated in the South, and a larger
one 10 the North. Rice promises poorly in
Louisiana and well in South Carolina and
Georgia. In wool and stock-the staple pro-
ducts of Texas-there will be a decided in
crease. The general conclusions to be drawn
from our reports are that our agricultural pro-
duct will this year probably be larger than ever
before, and certainly will be very large. We
shall have heavy surplus of wheat and corn
to export. With the flattering prospects as
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 be con-
siderable, At the same time we are likely
to have abundant food at reasonable prices
an important element in the competition
which our manufactures are entering on with
those OF other nations, and still more impor-
tant in the general problem of home COM
merce. In many of our reports will be found
statements as to 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 long time. From whatever stand
point. therefore, we regard the immediate
future we have reason to be encouraged.