The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-08-16

The price of farm products affects the
farmers income to just as great degree
does the yield per acre. We study
the best methods OF maintaining farm
fertility, of filling the soil and caring
for stock. but now. as the autumn ap-
proaches, the matter Of most interest to
all of us is the probable supply of the
world and the resultant price. When to
sell is the question. After a summers
hard labor the chief point is to dispose
of the produce Of the farm at a fair
price-not sacrifice it through ignorance
Of the probable market demands.
The information that is wanted is diff
cult to obtain. Spectators would give
millions CT dollars to know the turn of
the markets. The Sentinel dare not try
10 forecast the future. Yet there are
some facts for our guidance. On this
page will be found an extract from an
editorial in the Ohio Farmer that gives
the view of a well-inforned party on the
wheat question: We commend this ad-
vice to our readers.
AS we have said in a recent issue, the
acreage of corn is large, being probably
two million acres greater than that of
last year. Aside from the drought that
has been most serious in the greater part
of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and a few other
states. the prospect would have been
very good. AS 1t is, it should be born in
mind that the yield of corn is usually
less reduced by drought than observers
anticipate. In some sections corn is
ruined. but such area is not large, and
unless the drought remains unbroken and
extends its area, there is reason to
expect a fair crop of corn in this coun-
try. Our country is broad, and, with in
creased acreage and favoring season in
many states and portion of states. we
cannot yet expect anything less than an
average crop.
Potatoes are not promising. From
New England and New Jersey to the
Mississippi river there has been lack Of
moisture and great heat. This is nota-
bly, true of belt that includes New
Jersey, Pennsylvania and all Of Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois except the extreme
southern portions of the last three states,
where at least local rains have helped
matters, although the heat has been in
tense and produced blight, thus cutting
the crop short The bugs never were
worse. injuring the crop seriously. The
extreme northern states may have a
fairly good yield Of potatoes later on
but the states that we have mentioned
will give us a short crop.
Hogs are scare, yet not few predict
that we will not see very high prices
late in the season. The claim is that the
hogs we have will be made heavier than
usual where wheat is plenty, and that
cattle and sheep are too low to admit
of any lack Of meat. The disastrous
break in the Chicago corner in pork re-
Gently proves that prices have been some
what fictitious. Wool is low, very low
So it was last year. Dealers are slow to
take hold. Like wheat, it can hardly get
lower and 1t does not shrink heavily.
less ready money is needed.
A chief trouble now is that banks are
unwilling to loan money to spectators.
Dealers cannot command the usual
capital for carrying farm products. The
stringency in the money market is di-
rectly responsible in part for the dull
ness of produce markets. When buyers
have little money, and prices are kept
below the cost Of production for this
reason, some unperishable farm produce
can usually be kept over with profit.
This may be such a year, and while we
cannot tell, we believe that il is. The
possibility of loss is small, while the pos
sibility Of gain is far greater.