Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-24

The Importance of Indian corn as a
staple for domestic consumption has al
WAYS been fully recognized in this Coun
try. Not only as general article of
food in many families is it important.
but for the purpose of feeding to stock
its use is constantly increasing, and will
doubtless continue to increase, as the
immense yield tends to keep down or to
reduce the price. But it il only of late
wears that it has assumed any consptcu-
Gus degree OF Importance rs an export
crop. For the past year, however-the
fiscal year ending June 30-our corn ex-
ports have been larger than ever before
known. The foreign demand has been
gradually widening under the very low
price. and American corn now finds
greatly increased favor in Great Britain
and other parts of Europe
According to the statistics of the Fl
uaneial Chronicle the exports of corn
for the past year were l0l, 73l ,527 bush
els. while never previously has the total
reached lO0. 900, 900 bushels. The high
est total previously reported was 9s,-
lGa.S bushels in 1850, the figures
for the past year exceeding this total
over 3 800 900 bushels. The corn ship
ments naturally depend more or less
upon the Yield here ut home, a poor
crop being usually succeeded by small
shipments, and u good crop by large
shipments II is therefore doubtless
owing to the large crops of the past two
wears that the export during the past
wear has reached the unexampled mag
nitude reported. In lss9 the largest
crop of corn ever raised in this country
was produced. it amounting to2 i Il, s92,-
900 bushels, and this large yield sue
ceetled very heavy Weld the previous
season. of nearly 1000 900 900 bushels.
such conditions, with the low range of
prices which its great abundance caused,
certainly favored an increased outward
movement
But although the corn shipments last
year were larger in quantity than ever
before, vet in value they have several
times been exceeded. \ compilation in
the Chronicle shows that in 1850 the
value was So, pos al, while in 1890 the
value was only ST. ,531, s51, or Sl0,15
ono less, notwithstanding that over
!. 500, 900 bushels more corn were shipped
in the latter year than in the former
In 1851, also, the corn shipments We're
valued at $50. ,02 .G69, though compris-
ing only 9l,90S,l75 bushels against
l0l. III ,527 bushels last year. Two years
ago. however, the total value of corn
exports was only about 1880 900, so
that last year the exports of corn were
over so ,oo0,0 more than in lsss
fhe reason why the smaller shipments
in 1850 aud 1881 were more valuable
than the larger ones in 1890 is of course
to he found in the price, the average of
which in 1850 aud 1881 was ~ cents
bushel, while in 1880 it was not quite Il
cents.
Low prices, however. are not the only
element that enters into the export prob
lem, although doubtless they are favor
able to mere free movement. As to
their effect upon production, it is diff
cult to determine their influence. Low
prices are naturally caused by the pro
duction of the immense crops which
favorable seasons bring forth, while
short crops naturally tend to advance
prices. But the corn crop is so uncer
tain In its outcome that il Is doubtful If
the acreage devoted to it Is likely to be
seriously reduced even through the
agency of very low prices IN times of
plenty MOI only will the growing ex-
port demand for corn prove an active
agency for carrying off the surplus, bus
| the farmers themse ives are likely TO find
more profitable use for 1t than to sell it
when prices are extremely low. Already
| hey have extensively learned that there
is more profit for them in keeping hogs
aud cattle to which the corn can be fed
| than in sending it to market at prices
| which scarcely more than pay the cost
If getting it there. In other words they
are learuiag that the corn will be worth
more TO them in the shape of cattle and
hogs. for which there is always good
| market. than in its crude state. Bus what
ever Is done with IL. the corn crop Of the
country will always be of immense i'm
| portsnce. not only to the farmers. whose
prosperity is involvd, bus to the railroads
| that carry it to market. and to the entire
mercantile and industrial Community
who deal in it or consume it.-BostoR
| idrFrfiser