The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-08

ton of an observant American travelling in
this country at this time of the year more
than the vast area of wheat that stretches
away on all hands in an interminable sea of
golden grain. One might imagine that he
was in the great wheat-growing regions of
Minnesota and Iowa. Indeed, | do not re-
member having seen larger fields in those
States than l have met with in the rich val
leys of the Gauges and Godavery. That this
country is especially adapted to the growth
of wheat, both in point of climate and soil,
is certain. Its growth is general throughout
the country, from Travancore in the south to
Cashmere in the north Although the
lands throughout all the provinces
are well suited for its growth, yet
the Punjaub, the northwest province
Of Dude, the Scinde and the Berar are, about
in the order given, the centers of wheat
culture In the province of the Punjaub
alone the area exceeds 100000 of acres. 1t
is not because this section is better adapted
for its growth than the Berar or central
provinces that a larger acreage is cultivated
there, but larger investment of capital in
railways canals and other means of trans
portation, giving the country an outlet has
stimulated wheat growing in that region be-
yond what it has attained anywhere else.
Covering, as this crop does, so many degrees
of latitude the harvest period is naturally
extended over many months While, there
fore, in the southern provinces the crop of
this year has been already gathered, and a
portion, no doubt we'll on its way to Liver
pool, that in the northern Punjaub yet car
pets the earth as green sward."
Again, Mr.. Bookwalter says:
GAS Great Britain imports about 80, 600, 900
bushels per year you will see that India
could have almost half supplied her wants
last year. The actual export from this coun-
try to England last year was five times
greater than from Russia, and more than
equal to that from Chill, Austria and British
North America combined 1t was, more
over, almost one-half the amount shipped
from all the ports of the United States to the
same country The crop of the present year
promises to be an abundant one, and with
out reckoning by the past ratio of increase,
the expectation may reasonably be placed at
much higher figures than last year. While
ill Calcutta l was informed by one interested
that a sale of 10000 tons had just been made
of Indian wheat in Liverpool. An industry
that has SO steadily and rapidly grown into
such formidable dimensions cannot certainly
be regarded as in an unhealthy condition.
AS the total deficit to be supplied in Europe
this year can but little exceed 100, 900 900
bushels, it is certainly not pleasant pros
pect to contemplate for nation which only
few years ago enjoyed the monopoly of
supplying this demand, to find a country
unknown as an exporter ten years ago ready
to supply almost one-half the requirements
of Europe"
Mr. Bookwalter estimates the present
wheat acreage of India at about %, 100000,
with yield of about 100000 OF this,
50,000,0O0 bushels are for export, or about
half the annual demand of Western Europe
AS the Indian farmer enjoys the benefits of
free trade, his condition must be felicitous
beyond conception. Here is what the same
writer says of him:
HE lives in bamboo hut has few
earthenware pots and brass utensils, eats d
few cents worth of rice and coarse grains per
day, and clothes in sunshine. His farming
outfit consists of a rude plow, a primitive
wooden cart, constructed with his own hands,
a grubbing hoe, pair of bullocks, and a few
| COWS and sheep. He cuts his grain with a
sickle, treads it out with his bullocks, win
nows it in the air, and carries it to market on
his back"
And this is the American farmers COM
petitor in foreign fieldsl 1t is ridiculous to
deny that he is dangerous rival. Nobody
| is foolish enough to try to whistle it down
the wind. As for England, she will buy
wheat where she can buy wheat cheapest.
She is neither sentimental nor revengeful
when it comes to business The difference
of a farthng a bushel will change
the sailing of her ships American farmers,
with splendid market at home, have not
sold as cheaply as England would like to
buy. She turns to India, through the Suez
canal, and finds 10O0OO,000 acres of fine
wheat land, and labor cheap as dirt. 1t is
not improbable that the day is near at hand
when English BISCUITS (crackersl made of
Indian wheat will be offered cheaper in New
York than the American article. The six
cent husbandmen of India and the four
dollar bakers of Glasgow and Edinburg rem
der such a thing not only possible but prob
able. The American farmer will then not
only appreciate the indirect, but also the
direct benefit of revenue for protection.