The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-07-31
The Outlook for Wheat.

The Pioneer Press, having made
careful inquiry among the leading grain
men Of st. Paul and Minneapolis, the
object being to learn the general senti-
mentregarding the prospects fer higher
prices for wheat, says the general trend
OF opinion is that an advance may be
looked for though nearly all are in
clined to believe that it will be quite
gradual, and that no sudden rise in
prices is probable. The Pioneer Press
has heretofore expressed its belief that
the outlook for higher prices is good,
and it sees thus far no reason to change
its opinion AT present, however, the
lack of full information regarding the
condition of the wheat crop Of the
northwest renders predictions as to the
character of this advance somewhat
hazardous. As compared with wear
ago there is certainly considerable stag
nationin the northwestern wheat mark
ct. On July 20 there were in store in
Minneapolis and st. Paul 6,585,000
bushels of wheat as against 2,514,eo0
bushels July 23, 1884. A year ago the
mills were putting out more than three
times the amount of -four they now are.
No. hard wheat then brought four
cents more per bushel than it does to-
day. On the other hand tits generally
conceded that the stock of old wheat
still in the farmers hands is now very
small, while a year ago the amount not
marketed was quite large. This fact
undoubtedly explains to some extent
the large difference in the amounts in
store at the two cities now and then.
AS regards the crop of the country at
large, estimetes vary somewhat 1t is
conceded that the yield of winter wheat
will show shortage of at least 150,-
100000 bushels. The total yield of
the country in 1884 was 2,763,900
bushels. The estimate of the agricultur-
al bureau for this year is 363,000,000
bushels and is probably not too high.
The visible supply July / was about
10000, 900, as against 100000 year
ago. The total amount of wheat in
the country available for market pur-
poses is uncertain, but will probably
not exceed S0,000,00O bushels. This
added to 363,000,000 would give a
total of 443,000,000 bushels. Last
year we exported in wheat and flour
about 130,000,000 bushels. Reckon
inc OH the same basis for the coming
year, we should have 313, 100000 bush
els left for home consumption. Esti-
mates differ as to the amount OF wheat
consumed in the United States. during
the course of a year, ranging from
800, ,0OO, 900 to 340,0O0,000 bushels. In
1872, with crop of 3S0,2S0,090
bushels, and exports aggregating l21,-
302, ,557, the range of values was from
about $l.OS to SLAB. 1t cannot be
too carefully born in mind, however,
that all estimates at the present time
are made subject to the outcome OF
the spring wheat crop of the north
west. Just now this is a question In
volying a great deal of uncertainty,
and depending largely upon the weather
conditions of the next few days,
Should these be unfavorable there is a
possibility that the extremely bounti-
full Weld that has been SO generally
predicted might be materially lessened,
On the other hand, with good weather,
there IS reason to believe that the
crop will nearly if not quite equal
that of last year.