Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1879-11-15
THE UNITED STATES AS A WHEAT
COUNTRY.

A little over thirty years ago the Re
publican notes that grain was imported
to this country from the Black Sea. Dur
ing the crop year on which the country is
just entering it claims that it is certain
that 40, 100000 busl els of wheat will be
exported to Europe, and the amount may
reach 200, 900 ,OOC bushels. The grain is in
this country; the only question is one of
demand. The demand last year from Eu.
rope was for 100000 bushels out of Il
crop estimated at 420,000,0OO bushels.
The production this year is larger. tits
one-lourth larger in Kansas; in Minneso-
tn the production this year is 40, 900, 900
bushels large advance over last year;
the grain fields of southern Ohio show an
unprecedented yield so do those of Iowa
and in Indiana the cop will in some Ca
ses pay fer the ground on which it stands.
The wheat acreage of the country is put
at s., GOO, 900 acres, an increase of one
fifth in two years. The average yield is
81, O0O, 900 acres, by Alexander Delmar,
who wrote to the Times in the close Of
July, after Il trip through the wheat fields
of the West, ending at Ogden. The stat
istician of the New York Produce EX-
change puts the average yield at from
eleven to twelve bushels; other more san
guinc estimates carry it up to thirteen or
fourteen bushels an acre. The lowest es-
innate yet made place the crop at $780,,
600, 600 bushels, the largest at 440, 100000
and a crop of APO, 900 may be reason
ably counted upon. THIS is an increase
in ten years of 49,, 100000 bushels in the
annual wheat production of this country,
and au increase nearly equal to the total
wheat harvest. reckoning the population
in this country at 4S,J90,O GOO persons.
194,000, Geo bushels will be needed for
consumption and 5O,000,0 600 for seed in
all, PA, 900, OOO-leaving, at the highest
estimate, 1876 900, 0G0 for export, to W hich
may be added 20, coo, 000 bushels Left over
from last years crop. Whether the Eu'
ropean demand Will equal the amount of
surplus wheat in this country is considerl
ed by the Republican as doubtful. 1t will
unquestionably equal last years demand,
and the coming year will probably reach
$4,000, 900, and may rise to higher
figure. The unknown quantity in the
wheat supply of tho world is Russia. It's
harvest has been pronounced far under
the average for weeks past, but recent
alvices tell Il different story. At best,
however, nothing more than an average
surplus for export is to be expected, not
over G,OUG,0C0 bushels; and it this sup
-plementcd by the usual European import
II
5000 600 from Canada and Australia, the
total wheat supply which Europe is like
~ to receive from points outside Of this
country may be placed at IS 100000. The
current deficiency III Europe is placed at
from 225.O00. 900 to 275, 100000 bushels
The demand in England is clearly known.
It will amount to about 10, 600, coo bush
els The demand in France can be less
accurately estimated. All nortchrn At
RIGA is in state Of famine, or is produc-
ing barely enough 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, in
stead Of exporting it, which closes an
other region from which Franco obtains
grain. The potato crop in which north
crn France has generally failed, and the
local food supply al over the republic is
deficient. 1t is a low estimate, then,
which places the French demand for
wheat ut ice, Oc0, 600 bushels. The res
as Europe viii probably need IS, O0, 900
more, but may need less. The food sup
ply ola continent is not thing to be ca
silly reduced to figures. Moderate csti-
mates, however, place the demand at
larger figure than the amount of the
probable surplus in this country. It will
probably all be needed, but our authority
is not likely that it VII be called for at
higher prices. This is theprcscnt outlook.
Very trltling causes may change the OK
listing condition of affairs in favor Of
hi Oh prices. One thing certain no crop
of wheat ever harvested in this country
Will he carried to market more cheaplys
and none, therefore, will leave larger
margin of profit in the hands Of farmers
Michig gan Farmer.