The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-04-19
India VS.. America in the Wheat
Mo az

Consul General Mattson, of Calcutta,
writes the State Department, that nearlya
million acres have just been added to the
wheat-producing area Of India by the com
pletion Of an irrigating canal, 500 miles
long, and with minor channels $500 miles
long. The increased production of wheat
in India, and the reduced rates Of trans
portation, Consul Mattson says, are mat
tiers Of grave importance to the American
wheat-grower. The annual production Of
wheat in India, he says, now reaches about
24O, 100000 bushels, which is about half the
amount annually produced in this country.
The number of acres devoted to wheat
growing in India, is about twenty millions,
making the average per acre u bushels
This is strikingly near to the average in
this country, which is, with all our I'M
proved systems, but 124 bushels per acre.
This twenty million acres is only about
one-fourth the possible wheat-producing
area of India. Of course the methods Of
agriculture are much inferior to those Of
our country, and the area per head much
less. When, however, it is considered that
India has over eight times as many agri-
culturists as this country, her agricultural
population numbering 200, 900, 900, and that
these people living comfortably on ten cents
a day each have as clear a conception of the
value of their product as the average pro-
ducer anywhere, their position in the COM
petitive field of breadstuff productions be-
comes an important one. In quality their
best wheat in select lots has been found
equal to best California and Oregon wheat
their average best grade between our No.
l and No. Milwaukee, and their standard
is being continually raised by increased
care, more thorough cleaning and better
seed.
In time, cost and reliability the United
States possesses great advantages when
the grain reaches the transportation stage.
The time OF transportation to London and
Liverpool is about three times that Occu-
pied by transfer of our grain to the same
markets. The cost Of transportation from
the producers field is now from SO to 20
cents per bushels, but as the railroads in
India are absolutely controlled by the Brit
ish Government, and the steamship lines
practically so by the large subsidies granted
the transportation question may be:
Consul MattSon concludes his intelligent
and elaborate discussion of the subject ln
SAYING !: When all these facts are summar-
lied, it will de found ,rfW
That India can produce an average quail
ity of wheat at as low cost to the producer
as the most favored locality in the United
States.
That she can now supply the European
market with about 10000, 900 bushels an
nually, and possesses facilities for increaS-
ing the supply to an almost unlimited eH-
tent A 4Hsl.
That in quality, cheapness of transporta-
ton, facilities for handling, safety against
damage during transit, and stability Of
money exchange, the American wheat, es-
pecially that from the new Northwest, has
such advantages that there need be no Sc
riOus apprehension on account of Indian
competition at legitimate prices, but that
in order to maintain this advantage, it is
absolutely necessary that America should
keep pace with India in the exports to re-
duce and maintain freights at the lowest
possible minimum. ga fag
On the other hand, it is an mdisputable
fact that Indian wheat has already become,
and will continue to be, a very important
factor in the grain market of Europe anda
| check against high prices brought aboutlby
speculation OF by any other unnecessary or
artificial means.
And finally, that upon this basis of fair
average crop throughout the world, the
American farmer will have to prepare HIM
self to reduce the cost of transportation to
the lowest minimum, and be content with
small profits, or else wheat growing in In
dia will be stimulated to such an extent
that subsequent competition may become
extremely formidable.