Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-08-13
weather and Crop Report.

VIRGINIA.-The U. S. signal Service Bull.
letin made up at Lynchburg reports the COM
dition Of the weather and crops in several
sections of the State for the week ended the
Sth instant. The temperature was about
normal with less than an average of sunshine.
South of and along the James River Valley
there were refreshing rains. Scarcely any in
the Northwest. The corn-crop is generally
in good condition except where rains have
been deficient. Rockingham. Augusta and
Albemarle are reported in want OF rain. There
is no report from the northern part of the
State. between Albemarle and the Potomac.
In the tobacco belt some of the crop only is
reported in good condition.
The correspondents make no reports of the
yield of wheat and OATS by the test of the
threshing machine. That interest. however,
was very thoroughly Investigated during ma
turing and the harvest. Scarcely any county
will make more than q half crop of either
The State never was so short of fruit.
WESTERN STATEs.-The Cincinnati Price
Current makes up the following summary
from an extensive and reliable correspondence
to the 18th Instant
"Our returns this week embrace considera-
BILE information from Minnesota and Dakota.
and reflect quite fully the situation of crops in
these States, particularly of wheat. Previous
small grain In these States was quite well
maintained. About ten days ago, however,
hasten ed the ripening process of grain through
out a large proportion OF this area. As re-
suit there has been some curtailment in yield.
and impairment of quality: the latter being
largely due to shrunken condition of the grain
result OF the heat and quickened process
of maturity. The situation. however does
not appear unfavorabe as some reports
have suggested, in various instances, and the
chances appear to favor an aggregate produc-
the same as last year. when the official esti>
mate was 81 100000 bushels. AS near as we
can reach conclusions for other spring wheat
States from official and other information. we
incline to the view that present Indications
point to about l55. 900 900 bushels as this por-
lion of the crop. or practically the same as a
year ago. when the record was 158, 600 900. This.
with 25O,0OOO00 as apparently fully represent
ing present Indications of the winter crop, inn
plies total of 405. 900 900 bushels as approx
mating this seasons production. Had the
Northwestern crop progressed without draw
back from the position 1t had month ago.
and the ripening process been gradual, an un :
usually large yield would have been assured,
in that region.
Harvesting of wheat has advanced to north
eyn portions of Minnesota, Is far progressed in
South Dakota, and the earlier grain is being
harvested to considerable extent in North
Dakota in some localities much earlier than
usual.
In regard to the winter wheat crop there is
nothing new In the weeks disclosures.
crop matters is the condition of the corn CROP
There has been considerable rainfall during
the week, but it has not been general, and the
situation of the corn crop In the West has be
come Increasingly serious, SO much SO that a
further decided reduction in expectations Is
evident. 1t is difficult to form conclusions
with much of definiteness as to the compare
tive situation of the crop, owing to the varia
bleness In condition. but q careful survey of
available information seems to justify the
view that there Is little ground for hope for
production exceeding 1000 100000 bushels, for
the entire country. or about q per cent OF a
to suggest reduction OF about 39O,U00 900, and
other States 125.O0O,O00, compared with last
year. The extent Of damaging influences to
the crop has now been practically reached
nothing likely 10 occur in the future can
greatly change the situation, favorably or
otherwise
s Speculative interest in grain seems to keep
pace with any evident changes in condition of
the crops. and prices are now ruling at ADJ
vanced figures. and in the instances of corn
and oats appear to have fully discounted the
deficiency In supplies. While there will be a
great shortage in these crops the very large
hay crop, supplemented by more than ordi.
nary saving OF corn fodder, and the economies
which naturally attend recognized shortage
in production, will go great way in counter
acting the effects of the deficiency"