The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-23
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT
THE CROPS.

The New York Journal OF Commerce
has been making some examination into
the size and value of this years crops
and comparing the figures with CORE
spoi ding figures for last year. In regard
to cotton 1t says:
AS TO cotton, the present estimates,
based on partial data, may be regarded
as averaging about 10000 bales, some
estimators going over that figure and
others below IL. Upon that sdpposition
as to supply. the market fiXes the price al
9l-i09 IL cents From the fact that the
quotations for futures for the next nine
months range somewhat above hat FIG
ure, IL is inferabe that dealers are at
present OF the opinion that prices for the
present crop are not likely TO range below
about s1-2 cents. crop of 10000 bales.
give a total yield of S65eD,0c0 pounds.
Taking the average price for the pros
pective year at say IA cents, this sup
ply would represent a total market value
of the crop amounting TO S26.&O,VtJ.
Let us see how this compares with the
money result OF last years crop. The
estimates of the Commercial and Finan-
Ciai Chronicle put the yield Of lS9i-o al
5.Ol9 millions OF pounds. Il is perhaps a
fair estimate that the average price real
lied for that year was IA cents. Upon
that valuation, the market value of last
years crop was Si3,6D,ec. FIR )m TINS
comparison, II would result tNdt tne
largely reduced crop of the current year
would realize sl2.56Oc0 more than thas
Of 1915. This difference. however does
not represent the whole gain 10 the grow
ers. The acreare planted Is materially
below that Of last year, and the eXpendi-
lures on ma1ures per acre were also
diminished; from which il follows that
the money put into the current crop is
less than in the case of the last crop
What may have been the amount of these
frag inDOCSiDle
estimate. IL would not seem extraVagant
to suppose that II may easily amount 10
s.. 900 900; which, added 10 the above
estimated gain from higher prices, would
represent a net gain over that of last
years crop Of about SSOO,yV, which
would probably signify an increase OF
fully so per cent In The net planters pro-
fit on this years crop over that OF le9i-'
Relatively this is a very gratifying re-
suit for the great southern staple
Its figures in respect TO corn are truly
astonishing. 1t says:
The Indian corn crop is large beyond
all precedent. The latest estimates place
IL al 23701 600 bushels, compared with
L. l2. 10000 bushels last year. Ii seems
reasonable to expect comparatively low
prices with such an extraordinary supply.
The present New York price is 81 IL cents,
with a range Of In2 cents less for
"fut Ires" reaching up 10 May. we nave
no other means OF estimating the pIohd-
year than these quotations for FUTURES
Taking. therefore, sc cents as a probable
price for the cotton, the wnole supply
would have "A value. on the basis OF X
mort prices Of 1858 900. 900. AT this date III
1884. the New YORK price was % Il cents
and for the last crop year averaged about
- cents With last years yleld OF ILL.,
O00.0n1 bushels, the New YORK Valuation
of that crop may, therefore. be estimated
al sos 90 CO., Thus we have an increase
in the value os the crop Of Indian corn
compared with 1896, Of slhWoVV.
In regard TO wheat It has the following
on the wheat crop II Is especially diff
cult 10 form a satisfactory estimate OF
probabilities, owing 10 the peculidr uh-
certainty about the future course Oh
prices FOR that staple. Inc crop Is now low
Generally estimated at about iSoVJVVv
bushels. or 35.0O0.OO0 below That OF last
year The present price at this city Is
G6 IL cents; which Is y cents above the
price at the same date or lSsi; Inc quo
iations for futures are higher as the
mouths progress, and stand N IL cents
FOR MAY. The farmers are getting up.a
combination to prevent selllhs peloN .,
cents. hut that can have no peindnenl
effect unless other influences happen 10
49,, ~ The same direction beyond de-
LAYING the exports. For last year, the
average OF New York prices was o. cents
and. for the new crop, the sltuaHVi Get
tainlv seems TO indicate a propaDnltN y.
is fnr The Spectator rather than Inc
or sniior TO determine ...,o,.,o, ,-..,,o,.
Last years crop cf 46OeD,Vp husheis
taken al an average OF 81 cents WoulI
renresent a total New York valuation o Oi
S2s5 Cnoca0. the present crop 81 l-''yJ'Vp
bushels. at Tire current market price
would amount 10 exactly the same Naiue.
Eoch rise OF one cent above the present
price viii mean nearly Se",pp daatd 20
Inc value of tn unconsumeG portion OF
MS crop SO that there Is 'alr pr9Dd-
hilttv of our short wheat crop Flel ing
a larger return than the larger oi last
year.
But the question which always presses
unon us is. How can these things be- H.
as the free ooiners tell us, all prosperity
ends upon free silver? How can there
he these ups and Towns in prosperity with
ont free silver? our cotton and corn crops
Of this year have no right TO nrihs us
su.h enormous returns. and make MS s'ad
and happy with no free coinage at all
.rbat "royal metal" silver is denied her
,,orooat,ves and ali our happiness must
he delusive when she is away.