Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-18
g. Breadstuffs for the United Kingdom.

Ia times past, the demand for bread
stuffs in the United Kingdom was the
main reliance of the American surplus
So long accustomed to such realization, we
have been slow in estimating the increas-
ing production of wheat in other countries,
and consequently the restriction OF our
former advantages as exporters OF bread
stuffs. Our gains in other directions have
not equaled our losses there. Inclined al
ways to take the most hopeful view of
change in the affairs of our chief staple for
money income, we indulge the. prospective
to it's fullest extent, that throws its light
across the depressed situation for these
many years that has hung like dark
cloud upon the horizon of the winter-wheat
belt of our country.
Our most experienced teachers in politi-
cal economy, as they have had to consider
the elements of our real prosperity, never
ceased to deplore the hurtfnl, the danger
GUS, and the baneful effects which followed
gambling and cornering our natural trade
il breadstuffs. From that time, the
foreign purchasing countries turned their
eyes from the United States to other lands
where production could be stimulated
The consequences are known. The new
commerce of the Argentine States, Russia,
British India, Australia, and other parts of
the world, varifes the predictions that were
disregarded by American spectators in
their greed for gain out of the resources OF
trade which would lot be tolerated, either
by governments or enlightened judgment
in providing for the millions of people who
were the buyers of food-supplies.
OF late and from supposed facts, which
are now controverted, the grain-growers of
our country have been looking forward to
the last half of our wheat.selling year to an
improvement in the markets. The stays
of that hope seem to be falling away. The
authority of Sir John B. Lawes, the famed
experimental farmer and economist OF
England, has been generally accepted as
accurate, and upon it expectations are
often based. His recent utterances stin.u-
lating more cheerful prospect for the last
half of our selling season are thus set
aside by the London correspondent of the
Northeastern Miller, published at Min.
neapolis, the center of the Worlds milling
interest. Having heretofore quoted from
the writings of the eminent English farmer,
touching these matters, we reproduce the
opposing view coming through channe
recognized as one Of tho safest in search.
Jog for facts pertaining to our ehiei
agricultural interest. He says
ST notice that some of your contemporaries
speak of Sir John B. Lawes' estimate OF the
English wheat crop as the accepted one in this
country. This is not correct. Few people
agree with his estimate this year, and fewer
still believe in his estimate of our consump-
tion of wheat, which, as a matter of fact, Is
about 2l0,000.0G0 bushels, rather less than
more. and not 2l6,00O 900 as Sir John B. Lawes
puts it. American traders should moreover
understand that the Times and other London
daily papers, speak with little or no authority
on these questions; they are, in fact, peeu-
liarly ignorant of matters affecting this i'm :
portsnt branch CT England's trade"