The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-07-15
Agricultural Department Has
Prepared q Report on the
Oriental Trade.
China Used 100000 Bushels
Last Year, and Japan q
Fifth as Much.
Believed the Increased COnsump.
tiOn Will Offset the Loss of
European Markets.

WASHINGTON, July 15.-SOme import
ant data as to the possibility of the ma.
terial extension of the foreign markets
for our cereals is given in a report of
the agricultural department. on Omitted
States Wheat for Eastern Asia" Ow-
ing to the rapid development of new
wheat producing areas in other parts of
the world, and the increasing competi.
ton, the United States is compelled to
meet in European markets, the future
disposal of our surplus wheat has be-
come an important question. It has
been suggested that the changes now
taking place in the civilization Of Japan
and China may result in the opening
there of markets for our wheat that will
to some extent compensate us for the
losses that may be incurred through
the increasing competition of other
countries in the European markets that
this country was formerly able to con-
troll
Great Increase In Expectations.
The report says that chief among the
conditions Of the plausibility Of the sug-
gestion is the remarkable increase in
our expectations of wheat to Eastern
Asia during the decade just closing.
Most Of this wheat is shipped in the
form of -four, exports of grain being
comparatively small. The total amount
Of wheat flour shipped to Japan and
China during the entire fiscal year 1897,
just closed, should reach, it is stated,
above 100000 barrels, equivalent to
more than 100000 bushels of wheat.
The major portion of American flour
sent across the Pacific goes to Hong
Kong and is thence distributed to
other Chinese ports. Exports OF
-four to Japan, while considerably
smaller than to China, show an increase
during the last few years proportionately
even greater than to China. It is esti'
mated that the total exports Of wheat
flour from this country to Japan during
the fiscal year just ended amounted to
100000 barrels. The exports of wheat
in the grain have been chiefly to Japan
American wheat also is sent to Eastern
Asia in the form of bread and biscuits
but not in very large quantities. Of
fetal statistics indicate that the capacity
of Japan for wheat production has no.
increased commensurately with tn.
growth in population, showing con
stantly increasing dependence upon thu
wheat fields of other country for it
supply.
Are Well Worth Attention.
There is abundant statistical evidence
it is cited, to show that the amount O
wheat consumed per inhabitantin japan
is steadily increasing. Wheat consump
ton in China also is increasing. Whel
that great nation of 400, 600, 900 people i
\ once fairly opened to foreign influences
the department believes the possibilitie
of the situation that may result cal
hardly DO overestimated The repor
concludes:
CLEARLY, then, these Oriental coun
tries are well worth the attention of tn
American wheat grower, especially no,
that Russia, Argentina and other grea
wheat producing countries are compel
ing with us SO strongly for the Euro
pean market. It may be that in futur
Eastern Asia will afford field enoug
for the disposal of our surplus wheat t
offset all possible losses in the market
Of Europe"