The record-union., 1892-02-01

parent than real. The saving to the
farmer is estimated as follows:
Per ton.
Reduction in inland transportation
aedas.fggs dSnaFgssi n cost of sssEs.. 81 g
deduction in plowing, seeding and
Reduction in cost of living, interest
and warehouse charges. 90
Total ..........,.... ................ 81 25
In the foregoing calculation no account
IS taken of decrease in price of hauling
rom the ranch to the shipping point.
railroads have been extended, branches
quilt, and even in the older lines addi-
iOnal stations have been placed, so that
she distance from the farm to the ship
Ding point must on the average be con-
Hiderably less than it was fifteen years
ago. 1t is therefore apparent that our
Earmers actually obtain not So per ton
less for their wheat than they did in the
Dalmy days from 1870 to 1879, when
ranches were paid for by the crops of two
or three years.
The days of wheat-raising in California
rs speculation are past, but our farmers
are now engaged in an industry when,
With an average crop, they will make
their living expenses, interest and all
charges at 81 30 per Genital at tide-water
and still have something over.
Give us the average price of the past
rwelve months, say 81 20 per Genital, for
couple of years, and there can be no
doubling the statement made that or
chards and vineyards would once more
De turned into wheat fields.
The year 1891 opened with No. l white
wheat selling at tide-water at 81 30 per
Genital, and under the influence of dry
weather prices hardened until the rains
came in February, when there was a
slight reaction which only served to ac-
eentuate the upward movement that
immediately commenced and which cul-
minated for the time being in April when
spot wheat sold at 81 50 per GENITAL.
All through thewinter months therewere
-umors of grave injury done to the grow
-ng crops of Europe. AS spring dawned
these rumors became partially apparent,
and as the days heightened, a situation
universally acknowledged to be serious,
but still one which might yet be repaired
~ good weather, stood facing the farmers
Of the Old World as a reality from which
'here was but slight hopes of redemption,
and it was apparent that yield of cereals
below anything harvested of late years
would be the return to the farmers Of
europe for all their toll and labor.
The situation was serious, none could
deny it, but with the hope that after all
the harvest could not be so very bad, and
With the promise of a bounteouS harvest
n the United States, prices in the foreign
markets, which at the end of April had
reached 46S per quarter, eased off slightly
until July. when, as the farmers of West
ern Europe had begun to pluck up little
courage, 1T began to rain, and with but
slight intermisSion it rained for six
weeks or more. The effect was disas-
trous, and most especially so in France.
The effect of this wet weather was in
Simultaneous, and the markets of Europe
>irst hardened, then strengthened and
reached their highest level in September.
when cargoes were quoted at 46s sd.
Erom that time to the close of the year.
with various fluctuations, there was de-
cline to ABS, the high prices bringing out
Unexpectedly large supplies, principally
rom the United States, where the farm
ers marketed their enormous crop as
rapidly as possible to take advantage of
going prices.
In California with a scarcity of wheat
the stock on hand 1st of June was but
10000 tons) prices of the spot article re-
manned firm, but with the advent of the
new crop and an advance in freights.
there was drop in July TO 81 90 per
GENITAL. In July, in sympathy with the
foreign markets. prices began to stiffen,
and the advance was further assisted in
August and September by the returns
rom the threshing which made it appar-
ent that the crop of California would fall
much below general expectation.
The highest price paid for spot wheat
was 81 50 at tide-water, and the last day of
the year saw the quotations 81 so per
GENITAL.
In the first five months of the year
2reightS remained firm within a range of
from 40s to 42s Cd, iron ship, to Cork for
orders, u. X. In June and July rates
advanced until 80 shilIings was paid for
small ship. Thereafter, owing to the
crop turning out below anticipation and
the enormous amount of tonnage
headed for California, freight rates began
20 drop, and the last day of the year saw
he quotation 20 shillings, iron ship, for
orders, u. K.
The wheat crop of California for 1891 is
estimated at 1,050,000 short tons, reaped
from 3,000,0 900 acres. The exports for the
year amounted to S4l 900 short tons.
Exports of flour for 1891 amounted to
.225. 600 barrels, an amount A, 600 barrels
N excess of the shipments of the preced-
ing year. The output of all our mills
vas about the same as 1880, say 2,400, 900
barrels.
one feature of the grain trade was the
heavy shipments in June and July of
iour, wheat, barley, hay and other pro-
luce to Chile, which country was then in
he throes Oft revolution.
BARLEY.
The crop of barley of the year 1891 was
a full average. and the first good crop
rathered since 1883. Exports are con-
siderably in excess of those Of 1890, but
still not up to what we usually ship in
pig crop years.
The bulk of the shipments went to the
United Kingdom, and what did go to the
Atlantic Coast went around the Horn
and absolutely nothing went overland.
The prevailing low prices throughout
he country east of the Rockies barred us
out from all points except the seaboard.
The year opened with light stocks and
prices kept up to about 81 so per Genital
until the advent of the new crop in June,
when there was drop to 81 05 per GENITAL
sor No. feed. Under the influence of