Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-11-25
1T WILL NOT DOWN.


Many of the commercial journals of this
country find the India wheat question in
creasing on their hands, Some of them
speak of it as immense and difficult of solu-
ton. The English interests are figurirg
over it, and, encouraged by the annually
increasing yields of that cereal, and that
too, under the rude primitive means en-
ployed in agriculture in that country, begin
to narrow the question in its competitive
bearings to one of transportation costs,
rather than of successful production.
The total India acreage now in wheat is
$4,000, 600, and this is only about half of the
available lands which can be turned into it's
production in that country. The increase
of this over the past season is Ill 900 acres.
The last India crop was 260, 900, 900 bushels.
Now this is more than half of the largest
yield ever produced in the United States,
and in a country consuming much less
wheat in proportion to population for home
wants than we do, and is, consequently,
forcing itself into the markets of the world
with increasing Importance.
The exports Of wheat from India have
approximated the following figures in the
comparatively short time since concentrated
efforts have united in seeking for it the
wonderful progress it has reached. In
1S79-'S0, it was but 109, 900 tons, which was
more than doubled in the following season,
and trebled in the next. In 1S83-'04, it
was LOAF, 1874 tons, and this year it is esti-
mated that it will reach ], 800, 900 tons; or,
say, 5O,OOO,OOO bushels.
Stimulated by the strong British govern
ment, and daily pressed by the great COM
mercial combinations interested, we may
expect to see the expansion of production
go on, and every nerve exerted to make the
wheat of India successfully rival that of the
United States, not only in the English, bnt
in other foreign markets
There are many points which the English
economist passes over in his reviews, but
must enter into the calculation when the
United States become aroused to the
fact that they have a stubborn competi
tor for the distinction, as well as the great
advantages, which attach to the title of be-
ing the granary of the world. One and a
great issue is involved. Tine free and re-
sponsible labor of this country, progressing
under our institutions as it should, cannot
and will take no step to the rear-nor will
the minds and energies directing our pro-
duo;un ;ptorostc faiI tn COO rho situatinn
and, facing every difficulty, maintain the
onward destiny of agriculture, discerning
aud overcoming all obstacles which woald
remand it to less than its rightful place;
for upon it, seven tenths of the power and
prosperity of the whole country depends.
India on the other hand has cheap, very
cheap, labor. The government is at the
back of power in building railroads and
aiding the expensive work of irrigation-in
word, a most extravagant system of secur-
ing increased production is going On; but
high taxation to support it, and serf labor
are not good corner stones, upon which to
rear the edifice of successful agricultuie.-
Then comes the question of transportation,
which the United STAKES must meet by a
largely increased merchant marine. For
the want of it, the chief element of our
greatness has been dwarfed, and it is time
the matter should be corrected. And then
the suppressed fact-which can not be
denied-that the soft Asiatc wheat will not
make good bread. Every barrel of mer-
charitable flour made from it has the hard
American wheat in it to render it passable.
The question of transportation, as stated,
is an important one, and upon it much de-
ponds till the question is solved and direc-
ton given our producing interests-wheth-
er we are to take the leading part in sup
plying the world with the means of obtain
ing good bread, or our now annually in
creasing grain-fields shall be devoted to
other productions.
The government of the United States can
not afford to allow it's chief pillar of sup.
polt to decay at the base, or have its
strength impaired. AS Senator Vance said,
every interest, manufacturing, mining, com
merce-all, in fact, except agricultural
seeks and gains advantages at the hands OF
the government. Surely when the great
bread producing interest of this country is
involved with the possibility of restricted
outlets for its surplus, and the remedy with
in the scope of just policy by the govern
ment, the time has arrived for the legisla-
ton, which, surmounting difficulties, shall
sDead II on IN ire rinbtful plaoo in the oon,.
merce of the world.