The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-21
WHEAT AND COTTON.

The New York Tribune says that. even
making allowances for the possibilities OF
adverse conditions between now and har-
vest time. the outlook is most encour aging.
The belated and cold spring, 1t says. has
made both wheat and cotton somewhat
later than usual in large sections OF the
country, so that they have a little more
danger to face than Is usual al this date.
Yet 1t must be- said that the prospect is
extremely encouraging. Nor does the
course OF the markets fail TO show that
this is the general understanding of all ac-
counts received. Wheat refuses TO adj
vance because present supplies are run
ming low. and cotton has made no gain.
although reports of INJURY by flood and
cold have been numerous. OF corn in a
belated season IT is too early TO form
definite opinion, and, moreover. the enor-
nous stock carried over from last years
unprecedented crop makes accounts of in
jury comparatively unimportant.
The annual statement OF cotton acreage
by the Financial Chronicle-whch was
long the best authority, and since the fall
ure of government reports may be called
the only authority-is to most people Il
surprise. Though it was pointed out
weeks ago by the Tribune that planting
would not he prevented in a large proper
ton of the cotton area, even in the states
most devastated by food. il is surprising
to find that in every one OF those states
the acreage appears 10 have increased.
This is in part because everywhere out
side the fields actually flooded there was
general tendency to increase acreage
owing 10 the impression that the decrease
In consequence of the disast r would be
great. But the net result, according to
the Financial Chronicle Is a decrease of
not more than a tenth within the district
actually flooded, and In the aggregate an
increase OF per cent. from which with no
better weather than was realized last year
a crop of over 600 bales might be ex-
pected. The prospect thus far is therefore
highly encouraging, since injuries TO
which the crop is yet exposed must needs
BE- extraordinary with so large an acreage
TO prevent yield as large as the general
prosperity of cotton growers requires.
The wheat prospect has been the sub
iect OF numerous and widely varying re-
ports OF late, and. as usual many have
apparent speculative objects But when
even the Kansas state board predicts an
extraordinary yield for that state. and
the Texas report is relatively as good.
when even Mr.. Piisbury considers the
outlook almost perfect except fer three
weeks lateness. which, he argues. may
spoil everything, IL may be fairly in
ferred that the promise Ia brighter than
usual. Perhaps the most ;-ugtw orthy OF
the trade reports is that Of the Orange
Judd Farmer. which estimates from pres
s9t indications yield of SIS. 200 90 bush
els, aud It Is only just 70 add that it's
estimate was last year nearer the truth
nov known than that Of any other
trade journal usually considered an au-
thority.
rhc best feature about this is that the
yield OF neither II the great staples is
hkvly to be large enough 10 reduce prices.
fhis Is the fear Of the farmer when there
is expectation Of abnormany large crops.
Il we raise sl5.eoaco bushels Of wheat or
9.9so Ao bales OF cotton. they can be read
iiy utilized. and consequently lnsure fair
and even good prices. In Argentina and
India The yield will be smaller. and ST.
IBERIA has rot advanced sufficiently 10
become % serious rival. although that may
&c expected iu a few years