The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-09-04
The Wheat Crop of 1879.

From the Springfield OIass) Republican,
A little over so years ago gram was
imported to this country from the Black
Sea; during the crop year on which the
country is Just entering 1t is certain that
16O, ,OO0, 900 bushels of wheat viii be eX-
ported to Europe and the amount may
reach 200, 100000 bushels. The grain
is in this country, the only question is
one of demand. The demand last year
from Europe was for $4,000, 900 out of
a crop variously estimated from $780,
! 600, 900 to 410,OO0,000 bushels. Now
| that the crop of 1873 is for the most
part accounted for, it appears probable
! that the larger estimate is the truer one.
The production this year is larger. 1t Is
one-fourth larger in Kansas; in Mime
sofa the production this year is 10000,
! coo bushels, n large advance over last
year; the grain fields of Southern Ohio
show an unprecedented yield, so do those
of Iowa; and in Indiana the crop viii in
some cases pay for the ground on which
it stands. The wheat acreage of the
country is put at $4,000, 900 acres, an in
crease Of One-fifth in two years. The av-
erage yield is placed at u bushels an
acre and the acreage at 81 ,000, 900 acres,
by Alexander Delmar, who writes in the
close of July after trip through the
wheat-fields of the West, ending at Ore
gon. The statistican of the New York
Produce Exchange puts the average
yield at from II to y bushels, other
more sanguine estimates carry it up TO
IS or II bushels an acre. The lowest
estimates vet made places the crop at
$50, 200, 900 bushels, the largest at 44O,-
000, 900, and a crop of 10000, 600 may
be reasonably counted upon. This is
an increase in 10 years of 49,, ,0OO. 600 in
the annual wheat production of this
country, and an increase nearly equal 90
the total wheat harvest of 20 years ago.
Out of this years harvest, reckoning
the population in this country at 4S,50O,-
600 persons, 1874 900, 900 bushels viii be
needed for consumption and $4,000, 900
for seed-in all 244, 100000; leaving at
the highest estimate 5000, 900 for eX-
port, To which may be added 10000, 900
bushels left over from last years crop.
Whether the European demand viii
equal the amount of surplus wheat in
this country is still doubtful. II viii un-
questionabiy equal last years demand,
and the value of the breadstuffs exported
during the coming year viii probably
reach $3.50, ,0O0, 900, and may rise to a
higher figure. The unknown quantity
i'm the wheat supply of the world Is Rus
sia. Its harvest has been pronounced
but recent adviccs tell a different story.
At best, however, nothing more than an
average surplus for export is to be eX-
pected. not over 30, ,0OO, 600 bushels; and
if this Is supplemented by the usual Euro
pean import of 10000. 600 bushels from
Roumania. and 5000, 900 from Canada
and Australia, the total wheat supply
which Europe is likely to receive from
points outside of this country may be
placed at 100000
The current deficiency in Europe is
placed at from 225, 600, 600 20 275, 5,OOO,-
600 bushels. The demand in England
is clearly known. 1t will amount to
about 10. .OO0. 900 bushels The demand
in France can be less accurately estima-
ted. All northern Africa is in a state Of
famine, or is producing barely enough
food for its own supply, leaving nothing
for export. This cuts off one French
source of supply in Algeria. The crops
in northern Italy have failed, and Italy
is importing grain already, instead OF
| exporting it, which closes another re-
| gion from which France obtains grain.
/ The potato crop in northern France has
] generally failed, and the local food sup
! ply all over the republic is deficient. 1t
| is q low estimate, then, which places
1 the French demand for wheat at 1OO,-
/ 600, 900 bushels. The rest OF Europe
will probably need 100000 more, but
/ may need less The food supply of
continent is not thing easily reduced
/ to figures. Moderate estimates, howev-
er. place the demand at a larger figure
/ than the amount of the probable surplus
/ in this country It viii probably all be
needed, but it is not likely that it viii be
/ called for at high prices. This Is the
present outlook Very trihing causes
/ NAV change the existing condition Of
affairs in favor of high prices. One
/ thing is certain: no crop of wheat ever
/ harvested in this country viii be carried
/ to market more cheaply, and none,
/ therefore, viii leave a larger margin ct
profit in the hands Of farmers.