Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-09-08
AUGUSTA COUNTY.
WHEAT CROP-RETURNS COMING IN.


The English plans, as shown by previous
references, for successfully competing with
the American surplus of wheat in supplying
the foreign demand, are not maturing we'll
In addition to the India-contingent failing
in expected results, other drawbacks are
coming upon the surface to produce their
uuato of discomfort to the mother country
A year or so since much rejoicing was made
over the proposed utilization of the pastoral
plains of Hungary in the new development
of wheat production. for there, as in India,
the gold bags had been opened for building
railroads to stimulate the new interest
which was to aid in casting more gloom
over the United States in depressing our
expanding wheat-oulture. And SO il was.
Hungary did send in few millions of bush
els last year, but it can not come to time
this year. A report made up at Vienna at
the close of August estimates the yield OF
wheat in Austria-Hungary at fifteen mil
lions of bushels below an average crop, and
not grain for export. 1t is about the
same below in grinding barley, and from
ten to twelve millions less in oats. There
will only be medium yield of malt-barley
and oats for export.
India is failing as basis for supply OF
good bread-making grain. Austria-Hun-
gary is short, and will be on the market
for full supply of food. The English
agriculturist firing from the rear on their
specializing oppressors, unite with other
favorable circumstances for an effort which
should now be made to return the power in
establishing prices for wheat to the United
States where it was few years ago. We
lost that influence by the effort to make
corners, and by the indulgence in gambling
in wheat, and the penalty for such course
has been inflicted; but unfortunately the
innocent producers have had to bear the
evil consequences instead of the gamblers,
who by their course, first melted English
capital to make investments in India, with
the view of obtaining bread-supplies from
that country.
An English reviewer of the situation,
much in sympathy with the designs of his
Government, but at the same time candid
in expressing his conclusions, does not see
much hope on the line he would prefer to
have succeed. He says the inferiority of
the India wheat will finally throw it out OF
competition with the American grain. He
takes comfort that the stimulant which the
effort and the money spent in the Asiatic
dependency in wheat culture has produced
in expanding the growth of other
food-supplies than wheat. In this in
diligence he will receive the good wishes of
all men, for according to his own showing
the poor oppressed labor of the country en-
gagged in making wheat must look to their
other sources of bread-supply, for even a
scanty allowance of that kind of food for
the wheat, poor as it is, must return a
money consideration for investments, no
matter what the consequences.
Coming back to home considerations, and
viewing the situation at all points, there
seems to be more cheerful future in the
prospect of an upward tendency in the price
of wheat, which there are many reasons for
believing is approaching. The producer
must take his chances as we'll as the buyer
The larger profits in handling his crop often
come after he has parted with it. The
foreign influences bearing upon future quo
tations, have been adverted to. In addition,
there are other causes, not yet clearly defn,
ed, in our own country, which, as they are
viewed, lead to the same conclusion--t that
prices are to advance. Hardness in deliver
ing the export quota of the United States
would bring rich results to this country. If
that policy be pursued, the producer, who
has banked on his crop still in his garner
will have much pleasure in discharging his
obligations. If independent above current
needs, then he will still be in a pleasant
mood. Whether our surplus goes forward
quickly or slowly, there are many produ-
GERS who can, if they elect to do so, come in
with the final contingent which will pay
dividends far in advance of the first. The
present quotations are as low as wheat will
range. The reviving influences may come
upon the surface slowly. The effect on the
markets may drag at first, but a complete
reaction will take place.