The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-09-03
Short Crops-.Time for Economy.

uCuCIdi SIopS III li'uOiS, Sulo,
Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa and Wis.
consln, the great granary of the world never
promised less than now, and in some districts
will prove almost an entire failure With less
than half crop Of wheat we now find that the
long continued drought has destroyed most of
the late corn, and materially injured the early
corn. The Oat crops is also a short one, while
the yield of fruits, potatoes and other vegeta.
bles will he scant.
1t 10 no unusual occurrence to find In certain
sections OF the great West curtailment of
certain kluds of crops, but this season failure
OF the crops is not only general, geographically,
but embraces vegetables as we'll.
While the serious injury to the corn and
other crops caused by the protracted drought
and excessively hot weather, Is cause for alarm,
the shortage Of the wheat crop will have the
most serious effect financially. For several
years past we have been exporting an immense
surplus of wheat. This was made possible by
the low price Of that grain at home, tor when
wheat Is high at home at cannot afford to 60
abroad and compete with foreign grain.
a great surplus of wheat gave us u large
surplus Of provisions Of all kinds and this ex-
plains the $2G00O0,00O excess of exports over
imports, which has constituted the balance in
our favor for several years past causing q
steady flow Of gold into the country.
The partial failure of the corn crop, the most
important and substantial of the country, will
have to find Its compensation in an increased
consumption of wheat, OATS and other food
substances, and this will materially cut down
our exports from the high figures of the last
five years. There Is plenty of food in this
country for its own use, and a little to spare /;
but it is certain that our exports will largely
fall OFT in the next twelve months, and that the
10 r,voh ol nc fro1a in E,v tIot hoo
been cause for congratulatiOn will disap-
pear, and with 1t will disappear the flow Of
gold in this direction. The chances are in
favor of our losing part of the gold we have
accumulated IN the last five years.
If this shall take place, the present abundance
of money that IS already begetting visionary
enterprises, extravaganza and phantasms will
be depleted; money will become scarce and
difficult to get, except upon firstclass securl.
ties, and this state of things will press severely
upon those who have ventured rashly into un.
substantial schemes and speculations.
This condition of affairs is we'll calculated
to excite the solicltude OF the people, and
augurs hard times Trade will be seriously
and the depression will not be
confined to humble circles The immense car.
rylng trade heretofore sustained and made
profitable by exports from the great West,
" uos nes0So"Ay ouhci iuHaucuinUic uiiiiuu-
ton, and with it railroad as we'll as water
transportation stocks must suffer.
In views OF these stubborn facts 1t behoovesI
people everywhere 10 realize the situation att
once, and to shape their business and conduct
so to ward off hardships and privatiOns that
will he necessarily presented by the peculiar
surroundings. The lesson which the times
lmperatively teach /, economy. The countrys
marvellous opuence has engendered habits of
waste and extravaganza, not only among the
rich who can afford It, The loss of one half,
probably two thirds, the country's crop, worth
$4O0, 100000, is disaster as real and palpable
rs would be the destruction by fire of two cities
like Chicago. Its effect must come upon the
whole population, and can be met only by a
trugallty that will save an amount equal toI
the loss. Let economy be the watchword.- Il
Joliet Signal.