Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-09-11


If we add last years wheat area in Ireland
aud the small islands, 039S9 acres, we get at
total wheat area for the United Kingdom of
Uses 57S acres. At 80 bushels an acre. an esti-
mate upon which ventured in BradstreePs
some time ago, and which 1 see no reason to
alter, the production will be. in round figures.
70 6O7 900 bushels. Deducting 5000 900 bushels for
seed and other farm uses we have 66 607. 900 left
for human consumption, toward total re-
quirement for twelve months of about 2l6.O0o.-
900 bushels. According to this reckoning we
shall need to import about 147 1893. 900 bushels
during the cereal year beginning on Septem-
Der Isl, if our low reserve stocks are not to be
even lower than they are now at the end of the
period.
The estimated total production is almost ex-
actly the same as it was in 1887 when the acre
age was little smaller and the yield per acre
for wheat was higher, and in lSS7-SS we import
ed wheat and flour equal to III 100000 bushels,
our population being smaller than 1t is
now. Apparently we shall require quite
as much wheat as the United States can
spare, leaving the surplus in India
and small sources of supply to meet the
net deficiency in the continent of Europe,
which will probably be at least 40 600 900 BUSH
els more than 1t was last year. This is only a
rough estimate, and it is not worth while to go
into detail until official reports from European
countries up to the date of the completion OF
harvest are available. Last Autumn, however,
Bradstreet's estimated the European deficiency
at nearly 1856 100000. including the requirements
ofthe United Kingdom. That was a pretty
close estimate, believe. as 1t was very close to
one which I worked out independently, ana to
another given by Beerbohom. This year L be-
European sources Will be not far short of $780,
600, 900 bushels. That any such quantity can
be obtain ed at current prices seems to be en-
tirely improbable.
1 have just received from the Agricultural
Department reports on the crops in Denmark
and some of the most important districts OF
Prussia In Denmark the wheat crop is said
to be considerably under middling." while
for east and west Prussia. Posen and Silesia 1t
is put down as only so per cent. of an average
The crop, as stated in previous letters. is much
under average in Russia, Austria. Hungary
and Roumania, the three considerable wheat
exporting countries of Europe 1t is now
stated to be very poor in Montenegro. and in
Holland and Belgium it is barely up to aver
age, If as good as that. The italian crop is de-
ficient, but not as badly as it was last year.
while in France, Spain and Portugal good
crops have been gathered in.
According to the official report from India
the outturn in that country is 6,5l0S79 tons. or
2s7, l47, S56 bushels f6l1z pounds, the weight at
which Indian wheat Is sold ex ship. Lest
years crop was equal to 260 372, 500 bushels and
the exports in 1883 SO were 81, 0SS 456 bushels
Thus the deficiency this year as compared with
last years production is only about 9OO0,OOO
bushels less than the exports from the crop of
1883. We are told in the report, moreover, that
prices in India are higher than they were
year ago. stocks Of food grain generally being
less in consequence of the partial failure of the
early crops Of this season Qast autumn's pulse
and other crops being probably meanD Under
such circumstances there is surely no reason
| to expect heavy shipments from India at any
thing like current prices in Europe. AS am
merely a consumer it is not to my interest to
write up the price of wheat. but entirely fail
| to see the Justification of current low prices,
and believe there must be rise before next
summer.
| 1 have said nothing of the European rye
| crop, which is generally below average. As
| rye takes the place of wheat to a great extent
| in many European countries, this makes the
deficiency in the wheat production practically
greater. Probably my rough estimate of the
net European deficiency is much within the
mark, my anxiety being not to exaggerate.
| WESTERN CRoPs.-We continue to copy
at this time of interest to our producers
the reports of the Chicago crop CORES
pondent of the New York Journal of CON-
merce Following are the results of his OBJ
servations for the week ended Sept. 3rd:
"The month of August closed hot and very
dry all over the northwest and the southwest
giving the first really forcing weather of the
present season. The prospects to-day are
much better for the maturity of corn than al
any time during the last thirty days. We have
also had intensely hot weather, and pastures
and meadows are beginning to show the need
of rain. Flowing in the winter wheat belt ha:
been greatly put back for the same reason
Official reports from the State OF Iowa say
that the early estimates regarding the con-
dition of corn. and the prospects for an In
mense yield must now be reduced from 10 te
Is per cent. The Illinois State Board of Agri-
culture also claims that the yield of the corr
crop of Illinois must be reduced 10000 00(
bushels from those made early in August.
My idea of the corn crop of the country IL
that 1T will be a good one in quality, the
quality will be very varied, and there will be
all the corn needed for home consumption
and plenty for export
The weather has been perfect for thrashing
and reports show that at least rs per cent. o.
the winter wheat crop has now been thrashed
The quality is better, but still there is gen.
eral complaint of wheat unfit for milling pur.
poses. Spring wheat thrashing has just COM
menced, and the Minnesota crop promises te
turn out very satisfactorily in every respect
Il WHEAT FARMERS CONvENTIoN.-"The
Farmers Federation of the Mississippi Val
ley" says an exchange, has issued call for 9
lconyention of wheat-growers Of that region q