Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-07
Siauuton Spffta.v1.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH Z, 1888.
Cr0p Prospects,.

The farmers of the Valley of Virginia
could not, if they would, strike wheat
culture from their mainstays, for apart
from other interests enhanced by its pro-
duction, it is the basis of soil improve
ment. 1t is hardly necessary to repeat
that, in maintaining this practical view,
which has long since passed the test OF
theory, there is no purpose TO withdraw
attention from. any of the present OF pro-
posed industries which derive their vitality
from soil-culture, or in growing live stock,
dairying, fruit, &C., for they are a part OF
our thrift now, and we hope will prove
more profitably SO. as dev elopment progress
ses.
We are now in the last half of the season
for marketing the wheat-crop of 1887. The
harvests of wheat-exporting countries fol-
low in succession the year round, and as
we are closing out, Australia, India, Chill,
the Argentine States, &C., are coming in
with their annual exports of bread-supplies.
We have had an unprecedented experience
in going into market with the last half of
the crop, for the foreign demand and the
resources available to supply it, have not
had their usual influence in establishing
the prices in this country. The causes
have been wholly local, as we have often
demonstrated in frequent citations Of the
facts as they have been developing since
the last harvest was reaped, and more
latterly in the advance which was realized.
The truth mentioned in the first para
graph of this article illustrates our feelings
all the way from casting the crop until the
cereal is gathered and sold-concluding
with the enquiry, what are we to realize
for the years toll, and we cannot shake it
off. The month of March, which we have
just entered, is a period of time when
neither the prophets nor their sons have a
word to say, for if it is not wholly SO with
us, it is TO many wheat-producing belts of
the United States, the time for quietly OBJ
serving the plant as it is making its way
out of its winter home, for there it may
have had enemies to combat not visible to
the anxious eye which watched over it.
The damaging results inflicted by drought
during the two past years in several of the
great grain and grass-producing States OF
the West, controlled and fixed in a large
measure the price of wheat, which is al
ways in sympathy with corn, aud, as was
demonstrated the past winter, with hay
also, both of which were short in their
large quotas of production in those States,
and from this cause alone came the adj
vances in the prices which we have had
elbow it is to be with the growing CROP"
is the anxious question the Augusta and
Valley wheat-producer now turns over in
his reflections. And this enquiry becomes
the more intense, because, in our immedi-
ate locality, the pause in estimating does
not occur as fully with us as in other winter
wheat States, and the problem of prices ir-
resistibly forces itself on the mind. 1t is
not an unreasonable estimate of the Au-
gusta county crop to say that We will have
in wheat and wheat-hour half million
bushels for export. A few cents, therefore,
upon bushel one way or the other, be
comes of grave consideration as we are tC
find the returns in money for the crop.
The want of governmental policy in til,
past of inviting and offering iuternationa
trade intercourse to its legitimate extent
added to the gambling and cornering which
have prevailed also in our surplus foot
products, have turned importing countrie
away from seeking our surplus Of supplies
and the go-by has been given us, the NOR
direful effects of which we are yet t,
realize, unless these policies be changed
Had it not been for local causes in tn
West, to which we have previously ant
often adverted, Augusta farmers woulC
have had to be content throughout tn
season with seventy-fve cents for wheat
forty cents for CORP, and from eight TO nin'
dollars for timothy hay. Until an opel
and much less restricted foreign-trad'
policy shall be adopted we will have to sub
NIT to disappointment as competitors will
our surplus in the markets of demand an(
remain helpless to push our abundance int
new channels where there would be /;
lively trade if we utilized the oppor
tunity of contributing to it. We need ;
sea-going commercial progress of our own
for our agriculture is abundaptly able tt
sustain it in the new localities where
Judgment awaits its entrance. w annually
add, from foreign countries, the lands O
soil-producers to our own continually grow
ing numbers, but we make 10 sure pro
vision through customary governmental
policy for disposiDg of the surplus of Gu
products. The policy of the Republican
party, which so long ruled our country
taught that the consumption of the peopl,
must be made equal to their powers O
production, and that the whole prosperity
of the country emanates from the monopo
lies which should control its destiuies =
That party does not now, and never die
care fig for agriculture, or for the true
advancement of labor. 1t has been its set
led policy to bind both with all their capa
bilities for demonstrating to the world The
magnificent power of our country in peace
to the circumscribed aims of monopolists
and the few who aspire to govern US in al
things-nor is it going too far to say, with
Blaine as President, whose diplomacy
tends that way, that the opportunity
would be sought to demonstrate in foreign
difficulties the power of the country fol
self-protection and self endurance
Passing by for the present the foreign
situation-for we have TO bide our time il
that, and take it as we may find it-let u
look again to the West where misfortune
have had much more effect in adjusting
prices than is usual from local cause
The producers there, though early in est
mating, are looking over their fields, an;
report in many localities not a fair pros
pect The thoroughly informed Chioag,
correspondent of the New York Journal 0
Commerce, who, as far as We can remem
Der, never failed in his estimates, which
embrace all the West and part of tn,
Southern States, remarks in late repor
that "the late sown wheat is coming out o
winter quarters weak and sickly, Just as i