Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-07-17
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL,
TRADE N0TEs-CROP REPORTS.

Crop REPoRTs.-In another department Of
the SPECTATOR. we have presented what SEEM
ed to US reasonable estimates of the incoming
crop of wheat in the United States with some
conclusions not only concerning the immedi-
ate agricultural producing interests in dispos-
ing of the surplus, but also word or two as to
the future of other industries aud production 8
iEseparably connected with grain.growing
generally.
We have repeatedly claimed for our valley 3
larger share of attention from the State de-
partment OF agriculture than 1t receives, In
this. that we should have authentic estimates
In advance of threshing wheat and baling hay
of the amount and condition of those crops be-
fore they are gathered. at Staunton, Waynes-
boro, and at other commercial and trading
centers in Augusta county, we have millers
second to none in sagaclty and enterprise to
any in the State. They examine closely not
only into the yield of the wheat-crop of this
locality, but also into its condition In other
States, and we will venture the statement as
truth that authentic Information of our own
section of country of the yield of the present
harvest will be the last TO reach them OF the
wide area over which their search of informa-
tion extends. The same rema ark is equally APP
plicable to the hay and other staple crops of
the valley. In the latter as well as In the
wheat product there is an other class OF dealers
In the localities named whose operations are
closely associated with the interests OF pro-
ducers of those staples. canvass among all
including millers and produce dealers. does
not bring out the same answer to enquiries.
This shows the absolute necessity of better re
guIated methods, or in the absence of no meth
cd to insure to the large and growing interests
involved the Information alike essential to
producer and dealer. Speaking particularly Of
the present wheat crop In our section there are
diverse opinions, but of course based upon the
meagre aud random sources of Information,
but all that is available. One opinion is that
we have the largest wheat crop ever produced.
Another is quite the opposite, because the re.
ports come In that the inviting prospect which
the stand of straw indicated has failed in con-
sequence Of the insufficiency of filled heads
Some producers speak of the dwarfed cordi-
ton of the grain in some fields whilst the re
verse is the case in other fields upon the same
farm. Outside of the city of Richmond there
is no section of the State In which is concen
trsted so large trade or SO valuable in It's in
fuences upon ths prosperity OF its tributary
country as that which centers in Staunton In
the grain. grass seed and hay production. To
main tain this trade in Its full relations to the
commerce ofthe country and for the benefit
of producers and home interests, we are enti-
tied to improved methods for ascertaining pro-
bable results of yields, as governmental agen-
cies can furnish them, and 1t Is a matter to
which the local trade itself should be aroused
with more vigilant activity, for with such &C.
ton the best of results would sssuredly follow
In addition to the crop-reports compiled by
the Agricultural department of the general
government, we have the more satisfactory
local reports ofmany of the State departments.
This is especially true of the seven great corn
and winter wheat States of the West and their
following which is gaining ground in the
Spriug.wheat States. 1t is true these are the
great sources of supply aud in that sense con-
troll the markets that govern the prices our
producers receive. The accuracy of these re-
ports and the benefits derived therefrom are o
first consideration. but, being the lesser in the
scale of production, should not be conclusive
Of the inexpediency of adopting here the vigor.
GUS methods that control in the wide COM
munlties of production and at the seats of
commerce they have brought into great pro-
portions.
BY way of illustration. we can furnish in
formation now, derived from the sources NAM
ed, of the condition OF the growing crops in the
west as they concern local interests on the one
haLd and contributing to the general informa-
tion on the other. This general Information
concerns. the producers and millers of Augusta
county and the valley. and In the publication
an object is subserved in that way as well as to
present In forcible light the views we are ad-
vocating, and will compensate for the space