Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-07-30
THE CEREAL CROPS.
An Additional Statement BY Prot. Dodge Of
the Department OF Agriculture.

The statement of crop conditions on tho
LIST day Of July, prepared by Prof. Dodge,
the statistician OF the agricultural de-
partment, and telegraphed to the press on
the 10th inst, is supplemented by fuller
report, giving additional facts and figures
Of an interesting character. In this re-
port the Professor says
The area Of corn is steadily increasing
with only the slightest impetus from for
eign demand and still less from the spirit
manufacturers. The increase in seven
years, since 1879, has been about twenty
per cent, and the present area is about
20, 100000 acres. The increase is rapid in
the more recently settled western states
for two reasons: First from settlement
and home making; second, from the sub
stitution of corn for wheat. Settlers find
the demand for wheat fixed and little
variable except that the worlds supply
affects the demand everywhere, while the
demand for corn is elastic and may be
doubled, with prices sufficiently low.
Wheat is the sport of spectators, while
corn has seldom been cornered.
OF spring wheat the report says: THE
condition of spring wheat has declined
from 9S.5 in June toS 8 in consequence of
high temperature, drying winds and want
Of rain. Last year the average condition
was 96 in July and in consequence of tenn
perature at n critical period fell TO NJ at
the time of harvesting. 1t is a sudden fall
and though only three points lower than
last years crop at harvest continuance
OF injurious weather would be likely to
threaten further and serious disaster. The
apparent depreciation in June is fifteen
points, but il would he a serious error TO
apply that reduction TO the l45,OOOOW
bushels of spring wheat harvested which
represented a condition of 81 at harvest
ing, only three points above the present
condition Should there be no further re-
duction, the present condition should in
sure about 139,0O0,0O0 bushels. 1t should
be understood, however that loss of
vitality so early in the season exposes the
crops TO further injuries by the heats or
July and August, and renders it highly
probably that the average condition at
harvest may he still lower. In this point
Of view the injury is more serious than
the present status Of the crop report
in July and August increased condition
may be maintained, though the chances
are confessedly against it. Making some
allowance for this probability Judicious
and reasonable Interpretation of the July
report of winter and spring wheat would
show a prospect for an increase of about
10000 bushels above the official estimate
for 1855. Results Of thrashing of winter
wheat and meteorological condition OF the
next two months may easily add 100000
to these figures or subtract quite as large
an amount. The winter wheat area al
ready assures nearly enough for home
consumption and seed. The average ex-
portation Of wheat and -four for the past
five years has been 100000 bushels.
Present expectation favors product
nearly, il not quite, sufficient for this rate
OF expectation in addition TO consump
ton. The exports for the past year are
some million bushels less than this aver
age. The surplus will probably be ample
therefore, for any foreign demand likely
70 arise.
The distribution Of the past year is as
follows. Estimated consumption: Food,
|
preliminary statement, 93,596.O20; total,
41607l,520. Crop of 1855, 357, ~, 900; drawn
from crop 1ss4, ., $50, $40 The visible sup
ply has been decreased during the year
about 1900 600 bushels leaving about 49,
100000 TO come from the surplus in the
hands of the farmers. In view of the pres
ent surplus visible and invisible, which is
still fair averge the last years official
estimate is verified and the 80, 000, 600 lower
estimates so strenuously insisted on by
ambitious crop statisticians is discredited
with marked emphasis
The condition of oats is lower than in
any former July report since 1879. when
the yield averaged twenty five bushels per
acre. The present condition is SIS age inst
- in July of that year.
The average for rye is $50, against 81
last year. 1t is nearly the same as in
1881.
The condition of barley is some what
lower al the present date than at the lst
of July in any recent year, yet the differ
ence is not sufficient 10 reduce greatly the
prospective yield 1t averages S9.7 against
90 last July, and 9S in July of the previous
year.