The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-02

Rufus Hatch, writing to the New York
Sun, says that this is the farmers golden
opportunity, points out that for the first
time since 1881 the wheat grower ID MAJ
ter Of the situation, and urges him to hold
his wheat at dollar q. the railway station.
This advice is based, Of course, on the
short ercps-hali a crop Of winter wheat
and not more than tSo.thirds OF crop OF
spring wheat. II theiarmer will hold his
wheat up to the dollar mark, he will, Mr..
Hatch thinks, get more money for halthis
crop than he got last year for the whole,
and grain to carry over to next year when
the price is certain to be higher. Mr..
Hatch refers TO the shortage in foreign
countries and adds:
1t is very poor policy for an American
farmer to part with his wheat at the pre-
vailing low prices, when there is certain
to be a scarcity OF wheat within twelve
months. The short crop ct 1881 made
money for the farmer vino held his wheat
and for the speculates who bought. The
losers were the farmers who rushed their
wheat to market aud the bears WHO sold
s'short." In 1888 aud 1854 the crops were
abundant. The farmers had more wheat
than they needed for home consumption
or for foreign demand. Hence the large
supply Of wheat on hand. The wheat IN
sight amounts to say 1000, 600 bushels AZ
ali points. This 10000, 600 bushels Is the
great bugbear. The press OF the country,
with but few exceptions, has been loud in
advice to the farmers to sell their wheat
at any price. 1t points TO the 4O,OOO,OUO
bushels in sight and harps on the fact
that the foreigners are not taking any Of
our wheat. It will be blessing il the
foreigners continue mot TO take any OF
our wheat at these prices. II the l9rm-
ers are willing TO give their wheat away it
had better be to our own countIymen,
for II it goes abroad we shall
have to buy it back at higher rates.
When merchant has large stock OF
goods on hand ut low prices, aud he finds
that the mills which produced the goods
have been destroyed, rendering their pro-
duction impossible for twelve months, he
is in no hurry to dispose OF his accumula-
ton at the low rates he purchased them
at. He keeps them for q rise. So when
the farmer understands that there is not
enough wheat 70 30 around, and that no
mora can be produced for twelve months,
he should be in no hurry TO part with his
supply at present low prices. BY waiting
he can get his own price for 1t. Nor should
he be disturbed over the fact that the for.
eigners cannot see behind our 100000
in sight" England has become so accus-
toned to buying OF us from hand to mouth
by cable, and having the wheat delivered
on her shores within thirty days, that she
does not realize that shortageln our crops
means mo more wheat at these prices" for
her. The farmers Of the United King
dom aud France by holding their
wheat sixty days will find that
the "lowest price in hundred years"
is a thing Of the past. They can get 45s.
to COS. for their wheat, instead Of the 32s
to 36s. that they are now receiving, II they
will have little patience. The amount
on passage is rapidly diminishing, and the
home supplies will soon DO sought alter at
better prices.
Ofsll the farmers possessions to-day
not one promises so great and speedy re-
turn as his wheat. He can sell his farm
and buy II back next year for the same or
less money. He can sell his cattle, hogs,
or horses. and replace them next spring
for perhaps less money. His wheat will
never be worth any less until at least two
large crops in succession have been
harvested, and before that time it is likely
to greatly increase in value.
There are farmers who cannot follow
this counsel, however wise it may be, for
their necessities compel them to realize
on their products at the earliest possible
moment Something is always to be
counted against idle capital, insurance,
money borrowed at interest to float the
farmer while he carries his crop. Every
man must settle this question for himself.
Whatever may be the motive Of Uncle
Rufus in urging farmers to hold back, this
ito be said, that the signs arc all favor
able 70 a steady aud considerable advance
in the price Of whea. through the next
twelyemonth.
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