Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-05-18
THE WHEAT SUPPLY.
What Reports From the Great
Grain Centres Show.
Statements Which Indicate an In
mense Shortage in the Crop.

THE New York Herald has been receiving
grain belt of the United States, giving the
present prospects of the wheat crop. The
testimony of these experts is nearly unani-
nous in the assertion that the winter wheat
crop will be exceptionally short. The Gin
cinIati dispatch to the Herald summaries
the situation as follows:
Mr.. Joseph W. Miller, a Cincinnati
broker, close student of the wheat crop al
ways, said 70 the Herald correspondent:
providence seems to take special care of
wheat. and the outcome is ever better than
the outlook. Still do not think the crop of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan will
reach twO-thirds. In all other States, there
will be average. In Kansas, Missouri and
part of Nebraska the crop may exceed that
of last year"
Mr.. William Timberlake, of Cincinnati,
agreed with Mr.. Miller as to the four great
States which produce, he says, nearly one
half of the wheat in the United States.
''They will produce from a half to a two
thirds crop this year. Indiana lives the
worst promise, then Ohio, then Michigan,
and then illinois. The spring wheat, If
abundant, will do much to help these States
out"
Mr.. Charles B. Murray, of the Cincinnati
Price Current, a recognized authority at
home and abroad, said, quoting from an arti-
Gle in preparation: The relief to the winter
wheat crop which has been looked forward
to as possible from week to week since March
from rains and genial temperature has been
delayed until the situation has become serious
for the four central States-Ohio, Michigan,
Indiana and Illinois-which have produced
forty-one per cent. of the winter wheat in the
United States during the last five years,
representing forty-five per cent. last year, or
1872 900, 900 bushels of the 293, 000, 600 bushels
of winter grain.
1.-The present outlook for these States with
favorable conditions hereafter does not
bushels, or 50,000,000 bushels below last
years production, considering the re
duced acreage to be harvested. For Missouri,
Kansas, Kentucky and Tennessee the outlook
is for an aggregate production practically
equal to last year-sOme reduction in Mis-
souri, and an increase in Kansas. These
eight states last year produced LIS, 0O0,
600 bushels, and may now be estimated at
about 100000 bushels if the condition
should not be further lowered. All other
portions of the winter crop territory pro-
duced 105, 0O00 900 bushels last year, and the
present outlook faYOrs expectation of about
an equal quantity for this season.
THUS it appears that outside of the four
Central States, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and
Illinois, the situation of winter wheat points
to a production closely corresponding
5O,O0o,0J0 bushels reduction in the
four States mentioned, impl ying that if the
spring wheat crop shall equal last year the
wheat production this season may be ex-
poCIcO W REACH. DuC uOO eSSSuCldlIy 0ACeou
400, 600, 900 bushels"
ION this view of the situation, what will
be the outlook for the ensuing yearF
''At the beginning reserves in the country
will be nearly down to the minimum point.
The requirements for domestic consumption
and seeding for the year will be approx
mately $4,000, 900 bushels, the surplus for
export wheat about 80, 600, 900 bushels, which
may possibly be moderately enlarged by low
ering the reserve at the end of the year to an
exceptional point.
''There is still some surplus in the North
west, which will be marketed and exported
before the crop moves, and values obtainable
for this surplus in foreign markets will con-
tinue to have a governing influence upon cur
rent prices of wheat and are not likely to
be greatly enhanced in the next few weeks.
1t makes no difference if every bushel of
wheat in the Northwest be absorbed by the
mi Is there. This product, to the extent yet
of a considerable volume of surplus. viii
fiuence in the form of -four just the same as
if it were shipped as grain"