Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-09-16
THE OUTLOOK FOR PRICES.

II
The point of most pressing interest to
the producers of the golden Northwest,
at the present moment, is the prospective
price of wheat during the next six
months. All kinds of grain. like most
other commodities and products, rule at
exceedingly low prices, just now, and if
there were no hope for an advance in our
staple, the outlook would~be somewhat
discouraging. What are the facts?
1t seems probable. at this writing, that
the wheat crop Of 1885 will be the small
est gathered for ten years. 1t is not like
~ to exceed $50. 0OO.0O bushels, and it
may run as low as SOC, 600, OOO-it will re-
quire the completion of the spring wheat
harvest to determine which amount
named is nearest being correct. In ad.
dition to the new crop, however, there
was in sight in this country and iniCanada,
on the 18th Of August. AZ, $50, 600 bushels,
against II, 244, 600 the corresponding time
last year: The crop of 1884 is placed At
513. DOC, 600 bushels, or 163. OOO, 600 to 49,
600, 600 bushels more than that of 1885.
The harvest in England is progressing
steadily, the dr., and hot weather having
forced the crop to early maturity, though
without injuring the grain. except in some
localities where the soil is light. Returns
from some of the largest wheat growing
countries indicate that the yield probably
will reach 90, OO0, 900 bushels, while the con-
sumption is at least 2Os, 600, 600 annually.
leaving deficiency of fully 12S000.0 600
bushels. to be supplied by importation
from other countries. This, however,
does not make allowance for seed and
other uses, which would involve the i'm
pertation Of at least 12.0O0,0 600 bushels
more, according to estimates by compe-
tent authorities.
1t must, however. he remembered that
the wheat crop of Great Britain, as well
as the importations from abroad. furnish
ed only small proportion of the food
supply for the great mass Of the people.
Other cereals have suffered from the
drought which did no injury to the wheat
crop, while the potato crop is reported to
be vastly inferior to that of last year,
owing to the lack of moisture, although
early in the season 1t gave promise of great
abundance to come. In France the yield
of wheat is estimated as being little
below that of last year. but in other coun-
tries of Western Europe an average re-
turn is anticipated. Germany and Aust
ria. which raise about 2, Q0O. 0OO, 900 bush
els of rye annually for home consump-
ton, report comparatively light yield
Of that cereal, which means an increased
consumption of wheat. The crops Of
Southern Russia have been badly injured
by protracted drought, while the north
ern portion will make a fair average re-
turn. Canada and Australia report not
having turned out as well as has been
expected India has large crop-about
3O8, OOO, 600 bushels-but her population
leaves only small portion available for
export.
From this hasty resume of the situa-
ton. at home and abroad, it would seem
that there are reasonable grounds for
hope, rs to the future of the wheat mar
ket After little time has elapsed,
the facts as to the supply will become
more generally known, and a readjust-
ment of values on higher level must
necessarily ensue. Our own population
OF 5000, 900, will consume, for bread,
seed, and manufacture, about the entire
crop of 1885-leaving only, substantially,
last years surplus for export. The de-
fcicncy abroad must create a demand for
this limited supply, that cannot fail to
have marked effect in the prices. -Far-
mers' Advocate.