National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-05


Grain Growing in the United states.
No other country can approach therocord
Of the United States in grain growing
Fifty bushels per capita, with Failure
In wheat, can scarcely be surpassed in
Utopia. Sixteen in good year make
fair average for Europe. II Is a serious
question, however, whether the extension
Of wheat production has not already passed
profitable limit. Prices have declined, in
the face of reduced production, and the
bulls Of all the markets have sickened In
their efforts to sustain or explain the rul-
ing rate.
in this juncture the department Of
agriculture has been called on, by resolu
ton Of the House OF Representatives. TO
consider the facts Of supply and demand
for five years past, IN all the wheat and
corn producing and consuming countries
in the world-comparative data relating to
product, consumption, temporary stocks,
and requirements-and we publish to-day
the substance of the reply Of the Stats
tician, Mr.. j. r. Dodge, which clearly
solves the problem Of wheat prices, and
presents in clear view the facts Of the
worlds production of wheat and corn.
II shows that the United States occupies
the first position in wheat growing, aversg-
ing for five years. 436, 900, 900 bushels, that
France averages 81, 100000, India 270,-
100000, and Russia 233, 900, 900, and all other
countries 9160O0,0O0. In point Of acreage,
except as to this country, the order is re-
yersed, viz: United States, in millions Of
acres, 10000, 600; Russia, 10000, 900; India,
10000, eco; France, 100000. Thus this
country produces only one-ffth Of the wheat
Of the world, and cannot control Its markets
France, as late as 1873, with nearly the same
acreage as at present, stood in the first rank
in wheat production, while the acreage of
this country has increased 65 per cent.
1t seems that 1t is q mistake to suppose
that the rate of yield Of this country is
below the average Of the world, or even
materially below that OF Europe. The ag-
gregate acreage is placed at s3,000,00D-
one-flfth Of which is credited TO this country,
producing twelve bushels per acre. While
the rate Of yield Is high in Great Britain,
France, aud Germany, that of Russia Is but
eight bushels per acre, aud the average OF
Europe scarcely thirteen. The average of
India is nearly ten bushels.
While wheat growing in Europe is nearly
stationary, furnishing four bushels per
capita three and half exclusive of seed),
the allowance in this country has been IN
creased from four bushels In 1850 to nine In
1850, with an average of eight since.
This exhibit dispels eirectually the illu-
sion that Europe is starving for lack Of
foreign bread. The requirements from
abroad are little more than two pecks
| pr cdWtd, about the amount annually
used for seed. More than half Of the whea
| Of the world is grown in Europe. The ne,
deficiency of Europe last year was only
eleven million bushels more than the def.
cheney Of Great Britain. Practically, the
surplus Of America, India and Australasia
has its market in Great Britain. II can 20
elsewhere only In driblets. There were six
countries Of Europe that last year had a
surplus Of cighty.nine million bushels.
After this distribution only one hundred
| and ffty-four million bushels were required.
To supply this deficiency an area OF nine
million acres is planted in the United States,
| lNuI III lHuld, buC III AuslIdlhslh, Ous III
South America, and one or two more else
where, all competing mainly for the Liver
pool market
1t is utter absurdity to think of extending
materially the wheat trade. 1t Is not 70.
stricted by hostile tariffs, nor by unfavor.
able balances Of trade, but by the fact that
every nation, Great Britain excepted must
supply its own bread from its own acres, as
a matter Of public policy and sound national
economy.
In the corn trade the United States has
very little competition. OF some 2,50J,0O0,,
eco bushels produced In the world, three
fourths of it is grown here. 1t is also con
sumed here, as less than 30 per cent. of the
crop is exported, and as much more NIGH
have been spared "without missing 1t, OF
raising the price more than cent or two
per bushel.n
The showing as to stocks and surplus
both of wheat and corn, are not favorable
TO rapid recovery even from the present uu
precedented prices. Though the quantlt,
on hand is less than year ago, the reduc
tion of stocks Of the world, "yisibe" ant
invisible, is assumed to be equal to about
55,UCO, coo bushels.