Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-22
Crop Outlook.

In reply to n request from Messrs.
Stebbins Il Lawson, OF South Boston,
Halifax county. Va, for his views as
TO the condition and prospects OF the
cop and the outlook for trade this fall,
Major r. H. Ragland who is considered
one of the highest authorities on the
tobacco crop OF Virginia and North Ca
rolina) wrote them as follows:
HYco. Va, August 20, 1889.
Nessrs. ,StcJ6inS & Larson, South
Boston, Va.
men,-Replying to yours OF
the 18th | must first congratulate you
on the very good report you make OF
your general mercantile business this
year under the depressed financial con-
dition of tho surrounding country, re-
sulting mainly from unfruitful seasons.
You are right in estimating the ability
OF rural people to purchase goods AS
founded mainly on the income from
their business returns for their labors,
and, owing to unpropitlous seasons, these
have been scant for series OF years
eliminating during the past twelve
months in serious losses to tho agricul-
tural class-the main support here OF
mercantile trade. Therefore, the condi-
ton of the crops and prospects must be
looked to in order to form some guide
to the probable future demand for
goods.
Now, in compliance with your re-
quest, / will essay to give you the crop
situation as ] see it, without excavation
or exaggeration.
In the first place the corn crop-the
iarmo g main reliance-promlses to be
decidedly better this year than it was
last. There promises TO be more forage
for stock feeding, and therefore less corn
and hay needed from abroad to supply
farmers wants next year.
The hill crop is far better this year
than last, and while the low-gronnds will
furnish less the loss on such never af-
fects purchases OF goods like failure
over the hill fields, where tho bulk OF
tho crop for home supphes is raised.
1t is true an earlier demand vii! De
made this year upon the corn crop than
was last, but nevertheless it can stand it
and then hold out far better than the ex-
ceptionably short 1888 crop-the very
poorest, indeed, for very many years.
The tobacco crop will be a short one
at best in pounds, but promises to be
finer and of brighter color than last
years crop; and as quality more than
bounds determines the income there
from it is probable this crop will com
mand larger returns. 1t is rlpenlng
smoother and curing brighter than at
this date last year, and encourages the
hope that although lacking in body 1t
will prove exceptionally prolific IN cut
ters and probably furnish more fine
wrappers than the 1888 crop.
Except where surfeited and drowned,
the crop is improving every day under
the propitous weather now prevailing.
Therefore, very much depends upon the
weather conditions from now Oh till the
9Th or 10th OF October, as regards the
outturn of the tobacco crop,
Farmers have been forced to econo-
mise TO the utmost extent. as you very
Justly remark, for they have weathered
through the closest time I've ever expe-
rienced, and wonderfully well all things
considered. The prospect Immediately
ahead is. in my opinion, not so dark as
it was at this date last year. The losses
this year have apparently been greater
than last in consequence of better early
prospects blasted 10y freshets and dissi-
pated by most excessive and long-con-
tinued rains.
There have been compensating cir
cumstances IN the past. however, which
may not continue to tide us over an
other hard year, for as you know
the past winter proved exceptionally
mild with its incidental advantages.
And then the railroad construction COM
panies have distributed no inconsidera-
BILE amounts among the families for ma
terial, labor, and such supplies as We
could furnish, which have aided greatly
in feeding and clothing the people.
Summing up the condition all around,
/ believe We farmers are certainly IN no
worse condition generally now than at
this date last year. but better, at least
prospectiyely.
But until the corn and tobacco crops
are housed there is no assurance Of bet
ter times or more hopeful trade out
look for the near future. For it is not
too late for storms &c ruin the corn crop,
while the tobacco crop has yet to run
the gauntlet OF both storms and early
/ frosta
Regretting that / can furnish you no
more definite answer to your inquiries
than the above, am very truly and
hopefully yours, X. l.. RAdLAND.
|
Heath of n Prominent Citixen