The record-union., 1895-02-05
The Season of 1904.


at the close of the season of 1894 we
find the condition of the agriculturist
even worse than at the end of the pre-
ceding year, although we believed and
hoped there would be marked change
Tor the better. We based such belief upon
the estimated requirements of countries
importing our breadstutfs. Much TO our
disappointment, we find that early In the
season of 1894 Russia concluded COM
mercial treaty with Germany, by which
the latter country reduced the duties on
cereals one-half. This reduction re-
opened the German market To Russian
rye. which takes the place, to great ex-
tent, of wheat formerly imported by Ger
many from America: hence, In describ
ing the season just closed, due considera-
tlon must be given to this and other
conditions averse to the farmer. Low
prices-the lowest for agricultural prod
ucts ever before known-followed neces-
sarily by shrinkage of values, have left
the foundation Of Americas progress
sadly shaken, and followers Of the vOca-
ton of agriculture in a condition of de-
moralizaLion and disgust.
THE YIELD OF WHEAT
In California for the season was 26,O71, $40
bushels, falling off of $685. ,049 bushels
from the preceding year. The acreage
seeded was but about 10000 less. The
difference of yield is solely due to the in
equality of the rainfall. During the
month Of January An enormous amount
of rain fell, continuing through the month
of February, alter which month, and un-
til far into May, we were almost wholly
without rain, so sadly needed during the
growing spring months of the year. The
heavy downpour of rain during the
months of January and February not
only washed out considerable early-sown
grain, but greatly retarded winter seed
Nk.V,ea ffaFg lafp
large proportion of which failed to de-
yelop for want of our usual spring rains.
During the month of March the tenn
perature was exceedingly low, thereby
entirely arrestlng the growth and devel
opment usually occurring during this
period. This character of weather en-
couraged dry winds, which fast absorbed
all moisture near the surface of the
ground. These conditions prevailed
through the months of March and April
in our largest wheat-growing sections,
and it was generally predicted that we
would have g complete failure of cereal
crops. Following this
PRoTRACTED DRY SPELL
there came, on the I4th of May, rain
fall of from % to l inch, which was gem
eral over the entire State. This storm
injured early hay, but greatly frightened
the outlook Tor all grain that had with
stood the long period of drought. Had
this rain occurred one month earlier we
would have had an enormous yield
not less than 80, 100000 bushels of wheat.
AS it was, this rain was most welcome
Tor it made hay OF large proportion of
our acreage that would not have amount
ed to anything. 1t caused some late
sown grain TO mature; 1t greatly aided in
filling out that early sown, and il i'm
proved the quality throughout.
The amount OF wheat raised in Caiifor-
mia this season, under the unfavorable
conditions as shown, greatly exceeded
the expectations OF our most competent
judges, whose estimates were made early
in the season.
With the maturity of grain of all kinds
prices relaxed to an extent never before
experienced in American agriculture.
wheat-Growing in General.
The question of wheat-growing and it's
future is now the all-absorbing topic
among the economists of the age. 1t is a
subject of the greatest importance, and
should occupy the minds OF the thinking
people of these United States 1t is a
question that will warrant the widest
discussion, and invites opinions from all
parties in the hope that from agitation
beneficial results may follow. With this
object in view we Will not only give our
opinion as to its solution, but also those
of persons who have been prominent in
their endeavors to solve the problem OF
supply and demand of this great COM
modify.
The merchant, mechanic laborer and
the public in general are interested, as il
is plain that when the wheat-grower of a
wheat-growing State Is successful all
lines of trade are prosperous; otherwise
conditions are reversed. Relief must
come in some way and soon; if delayed
nothing viii be left TO the heretofore
prosperous and happy farmer. Without
adequate raturns his holdings will slip
from his grasp and future continuation of
his occupation will be carried on by ten