Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-10-19
COIN MERCIAL And FINAN CIAL
TIE GRAIN TRADE-CRQPS SC
feb 3-1v

The depressed condition of the wheat mar
kets has not had hurtful effect upon the
energies and disposition of our Valley pro-
ducers, in their efforts to cast a large sowing
of the seed of the staff of life The season for
this has been delightful and without doubt,
the most favorable we have experienced for
many years. As with the farmers of Au-
gusta county the same spirit has prevailed all
along the Valley with an eye to the perma-
nent improvement of the soil, which the Gull
ture of wheat and its kindred association in
grass bring about
OF one fact that can be stated the farmers of
Augusta and adjacent country, have as good a
wheat market in Staunton and round about
at the many mills that have adopted the later
Improvements in the milling process as is to
be found on the continent. They should look
forward with heartfelt pleasure to that early
to arrive day, which will demonstrate this sec
ton of the Valley as the first milling center
in the State.
Moisture is needed in a general way upon
the newly sown soil, as well as for the pastur-
age. Some sections of Rockbridge and Au-
gusta and perhap other portions of the Valley
have had showers of rain, under the effects of
which sprou.ing has been vigorous and the
embryo stalk presents lively and healthy
prospect. Light frosts have appeared but no
damage experienced to the fodder crop.
The drought which prevailed in our section
of countrysat the time moisture was essential
to the full growth of corn, has left its sadden-
ing effects visible upon many Of our fields, in
reduced production
From that standard authority the Cincin-
natl Price Current of the 18th instant we sub
join review of conditions in the West
Continued lack of rainfall in any import
ant degree for the Western agricultural dis
tricts is one of the features Of the past week.
Some frosts have occurred, but the weather
for the most part has been genial, and quite
favorable to the handling of wheat by farmers
having this grain, which has undoubtedly had
something to do in maintaining the free move
ment toward central markets-the aggregate
of receipts for the week being without prece-
dent, in quantity.
Under such conditions the exhibit of visible
supply of wheat has been further enlarged
quite decidedly, now showing 81 000, 900 BUSH
spending date last year, while the seasons
production is considered to be 100,0000O0
bushels less-which, so far as applying to a
comparison of positions, may be modified by
taking into consideration about 25,000,000
bushels of available surplus from last year S
crop.
The approximate situation of wheat sup
no+1 Oh
parison with last year is fairly shown in the
following:
Forward, available. 25,OOo,O00 ..........
Total. .525, 0OO,0G0 612, 600, OO(
Consumption, months. 7S,000,000 1900, 00t
Exports, months. 5l,00O,OG9 66,COO.O0t
Total distribution. 12g,00O,C00 1t3 CO., Gt
| Remaining, available. 3s6,OOO,OO0 45AN0,0Vl
| This presentation of the comparative posi-
ton of wheat supplies implies "a, ooo,o 600 bush
els less now in the country than year ago
and this is far more rational statistical ex
hibit to contemplate than the comparison o.
warehouse stocks
| To extend this exhibit, with view of indi
eating the comparative holdings of farmers
and warehouse stocks other than those regu
larly reported, it is shown that 345, 0O0,00
bushels represents the total, compared witt
| 44O, OOo0 900 year ago--a difference of $4,000,
900 bushels.
While the October Government report OF
wheat is interpreted as pointing to about $40,
100000 bushels it continues to appear reason
able that this will not be verified by final re
turns, and that 50o,0)0090 bushels will b
found to cover the extent of production.
1t is pretty clear that the trade was not pre-
pared for an average of - bushels for whea
or approximately 52oOOO.000 bushels, as tn
October official indication. Under this SUI
prise and the weight of the enormous receipt
OF wheat in the western markets, speculativ
sentiment weakened quite decidedly, and val
ues at Chicago declined about cents per bush
ell, but manifested some tendency to recover
on yesterday
The October condition of the corn crop
| reported about the same as month ag(
Western States compare as follows with tn
relative area in comparison with last year:
n.EI SntAf nat AnI- or