New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1893-08-16
Boom in Hay.

Boom in Hay.
The boom which has of late taken place
abroad in hay brings that product into
prominence for the first time. Perhaps
of all the products of the farm hay as a
merchantable commodity has occupied
least attention. The belief has been that
it is simply raised by farmers for the use
of their own stock, and, except such por-.
tions of it as find way into the cities
from immediate neighborhoods for pur-
chase by the livery men and feed stores,
it has not been regarded as a marketable
commodity.
The statement cabled to this side that
hay is selling in the English markets at
$50 ton seems all bat incredible. Yet
as high as $45 to $50 is being asked in
Great Britain for that product, while the
Hamburg price is quoted from $2s to
$32 ton. In New York hay has been
quoted recently from $19 to $22, while
in Montreal an advance to $14 per ton,.
a recent gain of $8, has been realized
within short time.
Hay is much more important crop
from the standpoint of money alone
than many believe. Satisfies which the
recent rise in prices have brought in view
show that the aggregate hay crop reaches
AZ, 900 900 tons annually and is valued at
$4OS, 100000. It is many times more
valuable than the potato crop, or that of
oats, rye, barley or tobacco; is consi-
dered as valuable as cotton or wheat,
and is exceeded, in the amount it brings
the farmer, only by corn alone. These
figures are taken from the treasury de-
partment's statistical abstract.
The difficulties in tie path cfthe prof.
table export of hay are apparent. Its
bulk, even after brought within the
smallest compass by pressure, is great.
It occupies much space and has not been
seriously thought If as an article of ex-
port. This year is different, however.
Continued drouth in Europe has lsssened
tLat crop. The need Of the cavalry arm
of the standing armies of Europe makes
it very much in demand. Two steamers
have already loaded up in Baltimore
with 500 tons of hay zach for exporta-
ton. Canada, which has found her prin-
cipal market for hay in this country in
the past, is setting herself to work to
get as much of the product to foreign
markets as she can. We have been atall
times but poor exporters of hay, and our
imports have been larger than our ex-
ports. It is doubtful whether we will be
in position this season to send very
much of our produce abroad. Farmers
have not raised the crop with reference
distinctly to its marketable value: be-
sides we are not disposed to pay much
attention to what we happen to regard
as the minor commodities or media of
money making. is not improbable,
however, that before long hay will reach
such figures here as will of themselves
suffice to prevent its expectation in any
large quantities.
The lesson which the farmers have
taught them in this respect may be of
value. The diversifcation of our farm
products is always desirable. Not all
such products can at all times be de-
pressed in price, while the practise of
turning the soil over to single product,
whether it be wheat in the Northwest.
or cotton or tobacco in the South,or corn
in the Central and Southwest, is inevita-
bly, attended by its o:sn penalties. st.
Paul Dispatch.
One Of the most pointed commentar-
les on the pardon of the anarchists which
has come under our notice, was in a pray
.er by Rev. D. II. Snowden, pastor of the
First Congreg gational church at Sterling,
Kansas, on Sunday the End. inst
ooh. Lord, bless the President of the
United States, and stand by him in llls
#arduous. duties. Bless also the Cover
nors Of the different States, especially
5bless the Governor Of Illinois. Be light
to him in his darkness. wisdom to him in
his ignorance, but above all make his
heart as scft Is his head. Teach him
that this is 4 government Of the people,
~ the people and for the people, and
that he can-in no wise become the gov
1,f <l,x. 80. Y.