Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-09-14
THE WHEAT CROP.

THE WHEAT CROP.
one Of the most encouraging features
Of American agriculture noticed In re-
cent years Is the magnificent wheat crop
now being harvested In nearly all the
wheat growing sections Of the country.
Its exact magnitude Is far from being
determined, for statistics are st variance
In regard to 1t, but 1t Is reasonably GER
tain that we shall have from $50, ,0OO,O
to 600, ,0O0, 900 bushels surplus to con-
tribute 10 the shortage caused by small
yield In other wheat producing countries
of the world. IL is estimated that the
short crop In Europe will cause such a
shrinkage in the supply of that country
as to need Isl, ,000, 600 bushels from out
side the continent. Ii Is said that the
wheat fields OF GERMANY. France and
England are comparatively barren OF
this great staple food product.
When we consider the condition out
side the continent In other wheat grow
Ing countries Of the world we are con-
fronted with an alarming deficiency. In
the Argentine Republic the crop is far
below the average and the drought in
India and Australia has seriously les
sened the yield In these great wheit
growing areas, as we'll as affecting the
sheep Industry and other agricultural
interests. On the whole II IL clearly
evident that the great crop In the United
States and the inferior crop elsewhere
will result in great advantage to the
wheat growers of America and the
realization Of a vast sum OF money from
foreign customers.
The price which American wheat viii
reach in the next few months Is even
more uncertain than the extent OF the
crop, but II Is reasonably certain to reach
as high figures as this cereal has sold
for In recent years. Statistics show that,
with the exception of the speculative
corner in lssS, which gave quota
ton Of 81 for spring wheat, it Is very
seldom that whext has exceeded 81 \
bushel during the past fifteen years. In
lSs2 the price for months Ranged from
81 20 TO 81 30 a bushel. and in 1871,
twenty years ago. wheat sold In Chicsgo
as high "a 81 - bushel. Considering
these figures and the fact that In case OF
the great scarcity OF any crop the price
seldom reaches tn. highest poin, until
he crop !. well on the market. IL u ex-
ttem.ly difficult tn predict where the
price 81 the present wheat crop VIII
finally land. IL l. possible that We may
see n nearrr return TO old-;ime prices OF
wheat than We have supposed possible
during rrcent experiences.
This great crop and remunerative
price will b. helpful to the country In
many ways. IL will call prominent and
widespread attention 10 the agricultural
resources OF the country and their ability
TO supply the markets OF the world with
food products. thus tending To attract
foreign c,pital to Investment In agri-
cultural lands in the United Ststes. IL
will furnish employment tn great
army Of laborers la harvesting aud mar
keting the crop and will provide bu.i-
ness for transportation companies ard
eua bile them 10 pay dividends on ether
wise Improbable stock. IL viii put at
least $50, ,0O0, 900 in the pockets Of the
producers over th-t under the prevailing
conditions In 1896, which will enable
them 10 pay of ihouss nds OF farm mort
cages and purchase vast amounts OF
supplies manufactured snd produced In
e,stern localities. Ii will also knock out
v-ry efi.c,uslly the so-called Luoin
scheme for u bounty on staple sgri-
cultural products, for Il indicates very
clearly the effect OF supply and demand
upon the price OF agricultural products
In the markets OF the world. Ii will
also result In the growing OF wheat upon
many eastern farms, where IL was once
profits ably produced, snd relieve 10 some
extent an overstocked market from other
crops. IL gives courage and renewed
activity 10 disheartened farmers aud,
SO soon to be followed by the full opera
ton Of tariff Law Of peculiar advantage
10 agriculture, will be far-resching In its
resolts -Mirror and Farmer