Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-07-18

Besides, the agriculture of the coun-
try is in a better state than it used to
be; it is more diversified in product,
appliances are better, and it is more
intelligently carried on. Altogether,
we are each year quite sure of aver
age crops, taking the country over.
This year, thus fur, though the spring
has been backward, there is no serious
complaint. 1t is true that the per-
centage of growing winter wheat is
reported less than it was last year, the
hard frosts having killed considerable
of it. But the stand is placed at SO
per cent, and the spring thus far hav-
ing been very favorable to grain
growth, there is good reason to expect
fair yield. At the same time the
area of spring wheat is large, the
acreage in Dakota being estimated at
double that of 1882. 1t is too early
yet to estimate the corn crop, but
since the prairie States were never
known to go back on their record in
this respect, it is safe to say that there
will be plenty of corn in the Ameri-
can Egypt this year.
The spring has been very favorable
for grass, and the effect will be felt in
dairy products, in the growth of neat
cattle and the fattening of beef. The
pastures and meadows of the country
are interests as great as grain raising,
and are to be equally estimated in
averaging the general condition.
Transportation business is in a bet
ter condition now than it was last
year at this time. Then it was feel
ing the effect of the partial failure of
western crops. Now both water and
rail routes are crowded with the sur
plus of 1882. 1t was expected that
when navigation on the lakes opened
that rail freights to the seaboard from
western markets would seriously fall
off. But to the surprise of railroad
managers such has not been the case
For the week ending May II, there
was a falling off of only per cent
in total tonnage, and an actual in
crease in grain tonnage of LII tons
Simultaneously the movement of grain
eastward by vessel was very heavy
probably equaling the tonnage capaci
ty. 1t is estimated that fully 40 pei
cent. of last years corn crop is yet il
the hands Of farmers and countr,
dealers, SO that the prospect of ;
heavy through traffic all summer i
good. This condition will tend t
brace up the market in railroad secur
tiles, and promote the building Of new
lines. The rapid development Of al
the territory west of the Missouri vii
make extensions of present railwa,
systems necessity, as the Lumber
man has before asserted. The fac
that the great rival corporations, tn
Northern Pacific, the Chicago, Mil
waukee q st. Paul, the Chicago 4
Northwestern, the Union Pacific ant
others are straining every nerve fo
Dakota, Rocky Mountain and Pacifi'
coast traffic, is enough to show tina
there will be no let-up in railroad
building in the far west certainly
and there are projects enough in tn
older sections of the union to max
up balance to the record of railroa,
construction in any former period
Prosperity in railroad matters vii
favorably affect the iron industry
finances, general business, and pro
mote the development of the newc
sections of the West and Southwest
the latter being vital consideration
in the problem of the future; for
widening territory of consumption
means an absorption of manufacture
and imported goods.
On the whole it seems probable tina
the crisis with which the country ha
been threatened is past. The alarr
of panic has had tendency to re
strict production somewhat, so that
further shrinkage of values may 10
be expected. The tone of capital is
little more conservative than it was
while there is no apparent disposition
to lethargy or over-caution. Enter
prise is still vigorous, and capita
ready whenever there is n show 70
fairly profitable investment. Real es
tate improvement is everywhere pre-
valent. The country is growing il
wealth and population, and the people
really seem to have no disposition t
stagnatc under the cry of hard times
-Lumbcrman's Gazette.
Where Money Falls Like Chcstnuts.