Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-11-21
Com MBRCIAL And FINANCIAL
THE GRAIN TRADE-CRoPs, sc.

The Cincinnati Price Current of November
18th, says =
ut was remarked by the Price Current last
week that an inquiry concerning the extent
of wheat feeding operations in the West had
been instituted, and that returns were not
then complete, but were sufficient to Justify
an approximation. The conclusion reached
was that about 100000 bushels of wheat
had already been absorbed, and that about
IS, 900, 900 would likely be thus disposed of
during the season, in the principal States
where wheat is being fed Since then large
number of replies have been received from
our correspondents, sufficient to suggest as
reliably as any obtainable information can
the average of opinions of intelligent observ-
ers upon this interesting question. The full
er returns shift the State averages moderately
in some cases. and in general results are prac-
tically the same as the indications from a
portion of them which formed the basis of
calculations a week ago. This information is
limited to eight States, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Iowa. Missouri Kansas, Michigan and Ken
lucky, which represent about half the wheat
production in 1894. Other States have been
feeding wheat more or less. but not to an i'm
portant extent In these States consider
able quantity of wheat has heretofore been
fed to animals-notably last year. In the
| light of the full information before US, from
our regular correspondents, we regard 100000,
| 600 bushels as fair indication of the quanti-
| ty which has been already fed in the States
having special significance. 1t may be rea-
sonable to recognize about 100000 bushels
as having been similarly disposed of in the
various other States where something of feed
| ing wheat to animals is done.
The quantity of wheat likely to be fed the
remainder of the season is more a matter of
conjecture and uncertainty. The prevailing
belief, as indicated by the average of replies,
| is that nearly as much wheat will be fed here
after as has been thus disposed of on this
crop. But there are evidences of curtailment
already to an important extent in wheat feed
ing in many places, under the availability of
corn, and in some instances from disappoint-
ments as to results from use of wheat, and
the fact that farmers prefer to handle corn
for such purposes as they have been accus-
toned This applies more especially to States
east of the Mississippi river where corn is
more PLENTIFUL and getting into cond ition for
handling
1t is to be regarded probable that the princi-
pal western States during the season will dis
pose of IS 100000 bushels of wheat in feedin e
operations, to which quantity something may
be added for the States of minor importance
in feeding. Information now available
makes it appear doubtful If the total suggest
ed will be much exceeded under any condi-
ton likely to arise.
The interior marketing Of wheat for ship.
1 ment continues very sparingy, with no indi
cation of especial enlargement in the near fu-
ture. Stocks of -four in the West are being
reduced, the total being largely below cores,
ponding time last year. At seven market
centers which held 525, 900 barrels on Novem-
Der last year the total this month is 365, 900,
a decrease of 80 per cent
Although-the temperature has been lower
the past week than previously this season,