The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-05-12

VI eo"'so 't'o p'ou"e.'oh u WI iood pro-
ducts has increased during the time covered
by the above table, but the largest increase
h,u heor in Tim r,so NJ uhoot 0su 49,,
- :..."a..sa ss, ,n' w roPu.
ia1'oh increases a''o larger proportion OF
our people eat wheat than formerly. Still
it is obvious that our surplus increases vcor
hv vo,r viii, tho .;n,.,o o.oo,,,;a. 80.
~ 's' NV, 49, ~. '.'s'o eN,ei"'o'' VI ns'
seasoh' Inc present outlook Tor wheat IS
excellent in every part OF the country. The
acreage is large and the condition of tho
,l,nt 10 fine Dur;r, Tho n,., f,v. ,.o,.,
r. - 49, 'uo t"s' AZ" 'e1's
therc mas pe"h great revival OF interest in
wheat i'll the older states, where little Inns
been produced for several seasons
Old cr;st.m;,,s b,vo baan ..h,;,. :.
~ ~ A. y. ,, uee" .oo'''' III
'"ost Vi 'nc ne" Ens'and states, and
ground long out OF cultivation seeded
to wheat that hns produced good crops.
The wecvil has been starved out there mud
the grain produced is OF superior quality.
The soil in fields allowed to grow IN 10
bushes or to be pastured by sheep has re-
gained its old fertility to considerable cx-
tent, andi sfonnd to be better forwheat than
Tor corn or any other cultivated crop
Wheat-srowing salso increasing in the
Southern States. In the meantime very
large proportion oil whole states and terri.
tories is being brought under cultivation
and devoted almost exclusively TO the pro.
duction OF wheat. This is the c,,se in the
states OF California and Oregon and the
territories OF Washington ind Dakota,
They are being settled largely by wheat
growers who take little interest in other
crops.
A few years ago the amount OF wheat
grown i'll any country was limited to what
could be harvested with hand implements,
At first the implement employed tor har.
vcsting was the sickle, and finally it was
the cradle. The number OF acres that any
person could harvest with either OF these
implements was limited, for all the wheat
that grows in any section OF the country
natures within Il very short period, and
must be secured or it will spoil. There
has been during all recent time great de-
sire on the part OF farmers to produce nil
the wheat possible. Wheat has been call
cd "the plant OF civilization" and the grain
has been used by people in the higher
walks OF life. Every farmer, wherever sit
uatcd, cndeavored 70 produce enough
wheat to supply the wants OF his own
family, for it was a costly material to pur-
chase. Those who lived where the soil
and climate were quite favorable to
its production made it Il leading crop
to. the extent they were able to
procure harvesters, for the reason that the
grain always bore y good price, and was
certain to find II market. Its high price
allowed it to be transported long distances
and still be sold at Il profit. 1T is less liable
to injury than most kinds Of farm products,
and on that account could be stored for
long periods without much danger OF loss.
Wheat has always been fashionable crop
to raise, and farmers are as fond oil follow.
ing the prevailing fashion us other people
are. All these things have tended to rem.
der wheat.growins popular. The inven-
ton and general introduction Of tho reap.
ing machine and the subsequent introduce
ton Of the selibinder have done much to
stimulate the production OF wheat, as they
render it practical TO harvest enormous
quantities with the labor OF a comparatively
fcw1men. The influence OF the powcr
thresling.machine has also been favorable
Many other mechanical contriyances
have also done much to stimulate The nro'