The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-09-14
Wheat Crops And Prices.

Though the price OF wheat is lower than
ever before on account of the largely In
creased area devoted 10 its production all
over the world, it ia possible that the bad
fortune which has oyertaken the growers
of India and Argentina may have Its COM
pensating influences on the fortunes Of
those in other parts OF the world. The de-
mand for wheat being practically unvary-
ing, the price depends to considerable
extent upon the supply, and when that
materially shortened the price Is quite
likely to advance.
The crop of India is reported to be
very poor one this year, and thus one for
midable competitor for the trade of the
countries of Europe is placed a; disad-
vantage. The crop Of Argentina is very
large one, but it has been greatly damaged
by unreasonable rains, so that the exports
are not regarded as likely to be anywhere
near what they were last year. In that
country, as in California, the weather is
usually so reliable that the grain is left in
the fields until ready to take to market,
there being nc such method of protecting
as that used in Wisconsin and the great
wheat states of the northwest
This year there has been very wet sea
son in Argentina in place Of the dry one
which almos, invariably follows the wheat
harvest, and one Of the results is the COM
plete destruction of millions OF bushels,
most Of it after i. had been sacked and
, made ready for market. The conseqnen-
ces will be most disastrous for the farmers
for wheat raising is their only resource
and with the destruction of their eroI
they will be left without subsistence. Ths
wheat exports Of the country from the las
crop approximated &, ,000, 600 bushels, bu
, if the reports are correct as 10 the fate o
: the present crop they will shrink to I
small amount this year.
Southern Russia is menanced with an
other form of the problem, the growers oI
large sections being Indifferent TO The fat
OF the crop because. as they say. the cost o
getting It to market is greater than ih,
price which can be obtained. This is be
cIuse the transportation system is not equa
TO the demands upon ii, and the distanc'
from the outside market is so great tha
the freights are enormous. Hence th
farmers of those sections are iu dout
whether ii is no; better policy 10 let thei
! tiOcks and herds in upon the fields of unrir
grain than to be 10 the expense of haryesI
ing and shipping.
= As in Argentina, there is wonderis
crop of grain, but that does not avail th
ausbandmea if he cannot realize enoug
from Il TO pay The expense Of getting il
market. Russia could easily supply
large part Of Europe Il the prices wet
such as to make it au object. and sti
: there are sections of the country whel
Il there is great distress, and where Ii
is whole product Of the wheat provinc'
y would b. welcome. Thus Russian whel
a is scarce at home where II Is needed Al
up to this year il has beea plentifal ahro1
. where the lack Of it could be easily suI
is piled. That. however. IS no. the eonoei
be Of the wheat farmer, who IS goreFned
D. the same LARS Of trade which govern q
y rest of the world. II the wheat buyers
It, the country viii pay more for the whe
ID :han those abroad they can have it. O'he
m wise it goes with everything else 10 4
in highest bidder, regardless Of residence
is nationality.
Tee indications ncw are that the Amer
eaa wheat cop will be largely 10 excess
O. most es,husias:ic estimates, the dron
in coming 50 late as TO have lI,ile eissei up
e it. Thenex cop is now ki the threshc
v. Of ,he..marse, and there Is no reason 10 {:
G. thai i: will be Subjected TO any such tate
n that Of Argeu,las. The price Is lo~ q
e and it inay not be mach higher. bu; The
q, dieasioas are that Nay at Pfeseas. A Jar
nd crop Of wheat a; evsn the low prizes OF I
re present means a large sun of money In 1
II aggIeeste for the farmers Of ihe eoun.I
as but even a small advance In the price VOL
- be very welcome IN these ,:mss.-M
so ~auk>e (Wisl Journal.