The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-03-24
CROP REPORT FOR MARCH.
DlStributlon ana Quality Of tho Corn an
Wheat Crops ofIGOO.

DIStrihutlon and Quality Of tho Corn and
Wheat Crops Of 1900.
A bulletin issued by the United States
department of agriculture gives the dis
trlbutlon and quality OF the corn and
wheat crops of 1895, as follows:
CoRN.-The crop Of 1895 exceeded by
more than 8 per cent that Of 1906. the
largest ever before obtained, in spite
OF a generally reduced acreage and OF
q partial failure Of the crop in the SOUTH
where scarcely a state raised more than
enough corn for Its own consumption,
Texas being the soreSt sufferer. The
greatest increases were in the great
corn states. But the quality Of this crop
does not correspond TO Its quantity, for
but S4.8 per cent Is this year merchants
able, against s.. per cent last year. The
general average is reduced somewhat
by the section Just mentioned, ana more
by the low figure reported for Iowa,
the largest producing state, where much
OF the grain rotted In the shock. Lats
rains have also to answer for much sOtt
corn In other states.
The farm value Ii unprec0dehtly low.
The average price OF the 1886, 2O6. 600
bushels OF merchRntahle corn is but 2O.S
cents. against 256 cents last year 1.-THE
lowest previous fiEure). giving a total
value Of S402, 0S6, 900, while the unmers
charitable 3l7, 1859 900 bushels. Mt price
Of l33 cents, against 1874 cents for ?55,-
49,, 900 bushels last year, is worth, in all,
$40, 900. The entire crop comes 70
$i49. 600. Il figure less by 81, 7Sl,O 600
than that reported in December. Some
dimlnution OF total value Is usually
found In tho March returns, but SO large
"a AtffnvAnrn 0f the HFirR
first reported is not often encountered.
II furnishes a striking proof OF the con-
tinucd depression OF the corn market.
The low price has Induced farmers, par
tlcularly in the west. to feed more to
cattle. hogs. and poultry. Consumption
by dIstillerieS Is thought in few states
to sustain the demand in some measure.
An Increased use OF the grain for fuel
where other fuel Is scarce Is also re-
ported; but large amounts arc held in
cribs by farmers and mlddlemen, await
ing better prices. The reported stocks
in producers hands this eyar. 1.l64.0ON-
900 bushels, are not only SO per cent
greater than the greatest ever reported,
those for 1895, but form higher per-
centage Of the crop, being 81 per cent
Of the crop, against 1873 per cent last
year.
WHEAT.-The increase in price
which began in the fall Of 1895 so slim
ulated sales that many parts OF the
country are now left with only suffl-
Client for seed. All sections report an
exceptionally small percentage on hand.
the general average being 90.6 per cent,
against 1853 last year, and showing but
81, 100000 bushels In farmers hands
March !. Unusually little Of the crop
OF 1895 remalns-but per cent, against
a. per cent OF the 1894 crop so held a
year ago. Weather conditions were
throughout unfavorable, for the
drought which prevailed from Begin
ming to end Of the growing season was
rains at harvest time, or while the
grain was in shock, or when It came to
be thrashed; hence the yield was gener-
ally short and the quality OF the crop
impaired; hence, also. a larger proper
ton than usual must be retained for
home consumption. The average per-
centage so retained Is 1873, against Ais
last year, when the inducements to ex-
port were weaker. The weight per
bushel is generally reduced, being 67.l
pounds on the average, against 57,6
pounds last year. The lowest state ave-
eraEc, "a pounds, Is for Ohio, always
large, and sometimes our largest, wheat
state, Though Ohio suffered worst
from adverse weather conditions, other
states in its neighborhOod, from Ken
lucky and Indiant west TO Kansas.
were similarly affected. Quality OF
grain poor. also, In the spring-whcat
states: quite satisfactory, however, In
CnlIfOrnin