The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-08
NO. 80
The Wheat cron.

Une BalGlmOTe American IS Washington cor
respondent. 1t win be of interest to our
farmers and grain dealers
WASHINGTON, October 29.-The De-
partment Of State has just received a series
Of reports as to the condition of the grain
crops in nearly all parts of the world. These
reports come from all the important grain
growing districts, and are very important
in their showing of the demand likely to be
made upon the grain-growers of this coun-
try during the coming year. They clearly
show. too, that the granaries of the United
States must expect TO do all that they have
done in the past years in furnishing the
bread supply of the world. One of the most
thorough of these reports is that from Ger
many. Early in the season there were in
dications that the crops Of that country
would be unusually good. This hope, how
ever, does not seem to have been realized,
as later reports from there indicate that
the crops are likely to fall considerably be-
low those of former years. Consul Vogeler,
of Frankfort-on-the Main, who, by the way.
is well-known here as former partner Of
Ben. ButterWorth in Cincinnati, transmits
report on the crops Of Germany, prepared
by society Of merchants there interested
in the grain trade, accompanied by the
names of competentandr reliable gentlemen.
as guarantee of perfect good faith in the
compilation. From Prussia the estimate
makes the average crop the standard of 100,
and puts the yield of this year at 81, against
los. in 1880, and 1O4 in 1852. Rye, which
is very important crop in all Europe, and
especially in Germany, is put at So, against
an average Of los last year. Barley is put
at 81, against 102 last year oats 70, against
l02 last year and potatoes "a, against 81
last yearand 116 heprecedingy year. Taking
the same standard, they find the wheat Of
Saxony IS to IS, against 100 to 10 last year;
rye 20 to 50, against so and 100 last year.
In Northern Bavaria the crop is reported
rather above the average, but i'll Southern
Bavaria wheat is only SO, while 1t was 120
asst year, and rye even worse. From the
Palantine the reports indicate barely two
thirds OF a crop of wheat, and half a crop
of rye. Baden falls off about SO per cent,
and Wurtemburg 20 per cent. From Hol-
land Consul Eckstien reports the wheat
crop about an average, while in rye the
crop will be considerably below the average,
while of barley the yield promises to be
and of potatoes more than an
average. From Belgium Consul Fish re-
ports the condition of the crops generally
good, excepting rye, which does not seem
likely to yield well; and, as rye is very
crop there, this feature of the
report is very significant. Belgium, i'll
1882, consumed 36,000000 Kilograms of
foreign rye, and the consul reports that the
indications are that the amount needed this
year will he very much greater. From
Sinesia the reports Indicate very poor crops,
the average of wheat being less than so, of
rye about the same, and of potatoes but So.
From Russia, the great grain field of
Europe, the reports are anything but sat
isfactory. Consul Van Ruper, at Moscow,
furnishes areport from the Department of
the Interior of the Russian government,
indicating a very unsatisfactory condition
of the crops in Northwestern and Southern
provinces, but an average crop of winter
grain in the central provinces. The South
ern provinces, where the winter grain is
bad, were spoken of by Consul
Ryder, recently, as the finest grain section
of Russia. Consul Dethmay, Of Breslau,
writing in regard to grain, says that the re-
ports received there from Russia are not
promising, and predicts that large imports
from the United States will be needed to
supply Europe this year. From Denmark
Consul Ryder reports distracting state of
affairs. He says 1.-THE accounts received
from all parts of the country continue to
repeat the complaint formerly made of the
bad weather from the autumn of last year
until the close of the spring Of the present
year. After detailing the damage by
frost in the fail and spring, he says: 1.-THE
winter and spring have also been univer-
sally dry. so that an insufficient amount of
in the soil has greatly retarded
the growth and topping Of the crops, and
these unfavorable condi. ions seem to have
been pretty general all over the country
Rye especially has suffered from these I'M
favorable conditions. Wheat has also suf-
fered, though this cereal shows less signs
OF the iEl-effects of the unfavorable
weather. After long and exhaustive re-
port upon the various crops, he says ut
would appear that the coming harvest of
Denmark, even with the most favorable
weather during the remainder of the year,
can scarcely be expected to come up to the
average, and with further adverse condi-
tions may fall considerably below the aver
age. y
AS to the crops Of England. there are
few reports. Consul King, at Birming CHAM,
writes 1T is too early to make any state
neilt as to the crops. May and Jnue Vere
fine, but July has been cold and wel AID
no doubt good deal of damage has been
done to hay. Should August be fine, how
yer. think good general harvest may
be looked for in the midland counties"
The cable fulfils this prophecy.
From India there are no reports as to
the condition Of the crop, but there is an
statement from Consul RYDER
India as grain-producing coun-
try. He says lin England attention is
now being strongly directed to the further
ance of all possible means, either in an i'm
proved transport system, by canals and
railways, to an increased cultivation of
wheat, so that eventually India may be in
q position to compete with the United
States in the European grain markets, and
it is freely asserted by parties who pretend
to be fully acquainted with the capabilities
that India in few years more will be able
to produce from thirty to forty million
quarters 100000 to 800, 000, 900 bushels
of wheat of a quality equal to that of the
United States OF Russia. From Australia
Consul Griffin writes that 1.-THE harvest
which has just closed was one of the most
bountiful in the history of the colonies.
The yield of wheat in some of the counties
was disappointing, but on the whole the
average will be much larger than usual. y
His report, which is quite lengthy, shows
an increased acreage and excellent yield
so that it is probable that the yield of last
year, which was about 30,000,000 bushels.
will be considerably exceeded by that of