The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-06-24
The WHEAT CROP.
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sonc eus.. weta ana a Few Figure.

sonc t'ness wofis and Few Figures
Knowing tho interest felt by the
readers OF the DrMocRAr in regard to
tho wheat crop 10 this section and the
prospects for fair price or otherwise
this fall, with note book in hand VIC
started out TO SEQ IL our local milIers
and warohouscmon could not give us
some points which would be Of interest
60 our readers. Strolling into tho
office Of one Of our principal millers
and shippera we accosted him with the
question, "What do you know about
wheat y Ho replied that he know the
present prospect in this section was
II very good one and hoped that nothing
would interfere between this and har-
vest. In regard to better price, be
said II was very difficult question TO
answer. II would depend largely Of
course on tho price Of freight and the
general yield oc the wheat crop in other
sections From present Indications he
did not think the crop in the United
States would be as large ns usual this
year which would naturally have a
tendency 10 bring prices up some. AS
to tho tonnage question be was Of the
impression that tho present rates and
those which had ruled this season could
not possibly be kept up through
another season. They havo been too
high altogether, and the carrying trade
would be very profitable at '55s. or Cos.
whereas the present rates of 75a. and
SOS. were exorbitant. Tho business
of carrying grain from this coast has
always been profitable ono in the
past and there IL no reason why il
should not bc 80 in the future. On
the whole looG for better price for
wheat the coming season, and although
as q miller, ] should be glad TO buy
wheat at the present rates my advice
TO farmers who are able to do no, ia TO
hold on while yet There il quite
large share Of the wheat raised last
year in this acction still unsold and ON
storage larger than usual at this sea.
son. Of course it is very difficult TO
say what is coming, bat | do not from
the present outlook havo any fear of
rust.
Another Of our prominent millcr's,
when asked if hc could tell us anything
that would interest tho wheat growers
replied that lie felt very hopeful over
the prospects Of good crop which
were at present as good MS he had ever
seen at this season. As TO better
price, hc thought that was one Of the
hardest questions We could ask him.
4 rise in price depended upon no many
things all OF which were moro or less
uncertain that any attempt to express
an opinion now must be mere guess
work. Tho reports Of growing crops
from Nil parts Of the United States
and Europe are 80 contradictory that
IL is difficult 10 form much Of an idea
aa 70 whether the wheat crop Of the
world this year will be- larger or smaller
than usual. II the last reports have
seen are correct there IS in all proha-
bility falling OF in some sections Of
the United States. IL may be qucs-
ton as to whether the good crops and
increased acreage ia other sections
does not more than balance this zap.
As 10 tho tonnage question ! look mt
tina. somewhat differently from most
people. H. il fact that most of the
khifs which have left Portland this
year, and which nro the ships carrying
our valley wheat, have none of them
the owners | mean, received more than
from 56s to Goa. and the higher prices
FOR charters have been caused by Port
land firms rc-chartcring the same vcs-
sells that they chartered at Grst, for -
and S0s. II III Portland commission
firms who arc responsible for the low
price Of wheat the valley farmers have
received this year. They are not gatis-
fed with fair commission but take
the advantage by raising tonnage rates,
and there being no competition
or opposition the farmer is entirely
ut their mercy. just 10 long rs we
have 40 competition just so long
we may expect the present state Of af.
fairs as regardn high freights 10 continue.
Ii VIC can get another outlet for the
products of this valley, where the grain
carrying ships can Come and load, then
we may expect 70 Get chartersat reason
able rates. There is n rumor now that
the Yaquina BAY railroad is TO be
pushed forward at once, and If this is
done and the harbor opened to permit
of large sea going vessels loading there
the problem of cheap freights will be
solved for this valley. IL is the only
hope / have for the future and / be-
lieve it to DC a strong one. Another out
let to the seaboard IL what may be
called one of the natural necessities of
this section and il is only question of
time when we shall have il. do not
believe that time long in the future
As to the price of wheat this fall ! am
OF the opinion that it will certainly be
no less than it is, and there are some
tliHSp NDlbh Fpthb ~ paNtSl ptlee.
As a miller of course / would like to
buy wheat cheap, although in the long
run the relative profits on flour made
from high or low priced wheat is about
the same thing, and tho high price for
wheat places the farmer in better shape
and of course when the farmer Is doing
well every body is doing well.
Again we visited another prominent
wheat man and showing him note book
md pencil proposed that he should Gun
load" what loose information he was in
possession Of concerning the price of
wheat and tho general outlook for the
coming fall. Without hesitation he
told us he could give us no light on the
subject, that would be Of much service.
A gain we were told that it was very