The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-29
A SHORT WHEAT CROP
Confronts the World in General and
the United States in Particular.

Chicago, March 2a.-The Times-Her-
aid Washington special says:
The worlds wheat crop for 1896 is g.
42S, 1893, coo bushels.
This fact will be officially announced
by the secretary of agriculture in re-
port to be issued this week.
This important report will also cover
the quality and distribution OF the corn,
wheat and oats grown in the United
States during the past year.
Although the total wheat crop is 49,
larger than earlier estimates indicated.
This is largely due to an increase of
SO, coo, 600 bushels in European Russia,
as shown in the final estimate of the
central statistical bureau over the No
vember estimate of the minister of agri-
culture of that country.
The crop for 1896 is the smallest for
six years.
The figures given by the agricultural
department in these tables are official
wherever aVailabl
Regarding the distribution Of the
wheat crop of the United States for 1896
the report will state:
The increase in price which began in
the fall of 1896 so stimulated sales that
many parts of the country are now left
with only sufficient for seed. All sec
tons report an exceptionally small per-
centage on hand, the general average
being 20.6 against 1858 last year, and
showing but So, 900, 600 bushels in farm
ers' hands March 1.
Unusually little of the crop of 1895
remainS-but per cent against At per
cent of the 1894 crop so held a year ago.
A larger proportion than usual must
be retained for home consumption. The
average percentage SO retained is 4S.3
against 41-5 last year, when the induce
ments to export were weaker.
ORANGE JUDD'S REPORT.
Chicago, March 29.-The monthly crop
report of the Orange Judd Farmer, COM
piled from county returns, received up
to March 26, makes the present condi-
ton of winter wheat the lowest since
1885, and with that single exception the
lowest ever reported The general aver
age is S3.5 against $40 last year, and
1873 in 1895. The government records
for the past 16 years show that the
April report has averaged nearly one
point higher than the May following
during that period, and as unusual al
lowance for possible future recovery
has been made in figuring this report of
condition, it may be accepted as a fact
that the country is face to face with a
third short winter wheat crop.
To 1ocalize and illustrate the disaster
which has overtaken the crop, the pres
ent condition in the six great winter
wheat states is given with the changes
from conditions reported at this date a
year ago.
Ohio, sc, or Il points better; Michigan,
81, or 4 points lower; Indiana, 20, or Is
points lower; Illinois, As, or Al points
lower; Missouri, rs, or 10 points lower;
Kansas SO, or points lower. General
average of the six states, rs, against So
last year.
On the Pacific coast in Texas, and in
the eastern states, the season has been
satisfactory, and state averages are
quite generally higher. The crop was
seeded late and did not secure good
root growth before the heavy freeze of
the latter part of November. 1t went
into winter lacking in vigor to with
stand the abnOrmally cold weather in
January when there was little snow
protection in the Ohio and Mississippi
valleys.