Smyrna times., 1895-07-17
Wheat and Other Crops.

The wheat harvest, which began
about month ago in the southern
counties of Maryland, is still unfinished
10 the far western counties of the State
IL has been protracted aud difficult
work by reason of unusually heavv and
frequent rains and of the tangled CON
dition of the wheat. The acreage in
the principal wheat counties was far
below the average, but the yield per
acre is reported to be good except in
some places where damage was done
by the fly. The quality of the grain is
said to be good. 1t is greatly feared.
however, that it will not be thrasbed
IN the best condition. Almost the en-.
tire crop of the State was in the shock
during a number of heavy transforms.
and the color of the grain may be i'm
paired. The rains have also interfered
with hay making, and reports from
some of the Eastern Shore counties
show that a good deal of fine hav was
damaged. The hay crop of the State
this year is important There is a re-
ported shortage in many States. and
many farmers are looking for better
prices, although the present quotations
are almost Identical with those of a
year ago.
The expectations of good prices for
the new crop of wheat look like thew
will be disappointed. The quotations
thursday were about eight cents higher
only than on the same day last year.
Inc condition OF the market some time
back justified the expectation that the
increase in prices over the last crop
would be something like 20 cents
oushel. But it happened as it gener-
ally does. When the farmer has no
wheat to sell prices may advance. But
as soon as the new crop began to arrive
II was suddenly discovered that the
supply would be enormous. and so
prices went down in a slumD. II must
be noted that every source of informa-
ton about the new crop was lust as
accessible and as correct estimates
could have been and doubtless were
formed several weeks ago as now. But
as II IS well known the actual condition
OF the supply and demand do not regu-
late the price of wheat That is done
by the bulls and bears, and with the
exception Of the recent temporary ad-
vance the bears have had it all their
own way for long time.
The Maryland farmers were late in
getting their corn started, but the wet
weather has been favorable and the
growing crop is reported to be looking
well. A drought frequently occurs
during August, at the most critical
time for corn, and until then no reason
able estimate of the crop can be made
The season has been favorable for
tobacco planting and there is a good |
crop of apples and other fruit The
peach crop is far below the average.
and for that reason it will perhaps
pay the peach grower better.
The low prices of the staple crons |
which have pervaded for some time |
are not as hard on the intelligent Mary
land farmer as upon those in the West
ern aud Southern States. Here it has
become the practice among our more
progressive farmers to more and moro
diversity crops, and all the eggs are
not in one basket. If wheat and corn
are low and Improbable, there is hav.
cloIyerseed, beet, hogs, fruit, the dairy
and poultry-yard to rely upon. and on
most OF the farms in the upper counties
all these together fetch more money
certainly more clear money-tban
wheat and corn combined d.-Bdltimore
Sun. ''''O' Z