Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-08-11

In 1884, at harvest time, the c0ndltlon
of winter wheat was reported as 80, and
of spring wheat as 80. This year the
condition of winter wheat is 96.6, and
that of spring wheat 92.6, or about 81
per cent less than the final report OF
1884. AS the harvest of 1884, the larg-
est we ever had, was 512, 600. 900 bushels,
the last government report would lndl-
cate a crop of 494, 100000 bushels, say
500 DOC. 900 in round numbers. The
home consumption has increased with
the population. and is certainly over
$50 6O0. 900, which leaves us lac, OOO,O 600
for export. During the last ten years
we exported 127, 900, 600 yearly in aver
age. OF which Europe received 1O7, OOO,-
600. and the West Indies and South
America 20, 100000.
This wear we may have 100000
more to spare, which, however, will go
to South America on account OF the rec
iprocity treaties, and Europe Will re-
ceive the average quantity OF O7,OOO,-
600 bushels and no more, as we have no
reserve to draw upon. This would make
both ends meet there if Europe had
good average crop. but Europe mas not
a good average crop, in fact it has the
worst crop failure OF the century.
Last winter was phenomenal all over
Europe in its severity and duration.
Snow and ice covered even Italy and
Spain. and were actually carried lar
into Africa. Vessels on the Mediterra-
mean came into port thickly covered
with ice, and this abnormal weather
worked incalculable damage to the win
ter wheat ir all the countries OF that
continent. The spring has been late
and very unfavorable, and even in June
snow and frost destroyed most OF the
wheat that was left in half OF Germany
and great part OF Austria.
That the crop disaster is not local or
moderate or exaggerated can be clearly
seen by the actions of the different gov
ernments. Russia appointed commits
sion to investigate the crop damages,
which reported wheat II per cent
below average, and rye much worse.
1t is the custom of that government to
quiet the alarm of the people, and the
damage therefore is surely not less than
reported, but probably much more. The
following Associated Press dispatches
would indicate that the official report
does not tell the whole truth:
"ST. PETERSBURG, July 17.-The
suffering of the people in the Volga
country through famine is increasing
steadily"
"ST. PETERSBURG, July 1.-THE
crop reports exclude all hope that there
will be surplus of cereals for export.
The importations of foreign breadstuffs
is unavoidable"
Austria is the only country which re-
Gently had crop prospects not much be-
low an average, but an Associated Press
dispatch of June 18th states that even
that government is now alarmed about
the food question on account of the de-
structive frosts in the second week in
June In Italy and Spain measures are
under debate tending 10 protect the peo-
pie against famine. In Germany the
ACCESSIBILITY of calling together their
congress on account of failure of the
crops has been discussed in long meet
ing of the cabinet, in which votes were
divided. The whole press now unani-
ymously demands this measure, and the
council of Berlin has petitioned for it,
and on account of the last disastrous
June frosts this extraordinary step is
considered unavoidable.
In France grain duties have been re-
duced and taxes RENTED to farmers on
account of crop failures. In Belgium
the most sanguine estimate is not more
than one-third of a crop, and the En-
glish crop is very late, and therefore
uncertain.
All this does not mean small dam
age, which, in fact, no one would notice
until after harvest, but an alarming
failure, giving rise to the most serious
apprehensions.
Europe never raises as much wheat as
it needs, and with fair crops during the
last three wears it has used up its re-