Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-04-22
GRAIN TRADE AND CROPS.

The Cincinnati Price Current of last
Thursday says
The past week has not been genial
period for crops. The temperature has
been too low, and the moisture exces-
sive, in large portion OF the central
and western agricultural regions.
These conditions have not impaired the
condition of the winter wheat crop,
which appears to maintain the position
about as previously indicated. The
serious drawbacks to the crop previous
ly noted in Illinais and Missouri and to
some extent In Indiana are not being
overcome, and can not be. The plOw-
ing up Of wheat lands for other crops
will probably exceed in extent the
earlier calculations. The crop con-
continues promising in Ohio, Michigan,
Kentucky, Kansas, ETC., and on the
Pacific Coast.
The report of the Department of Agri-
culture on the condition OF the winter
wheat crop is in line with the conclu-
sion reached last week by the Price
Current. The average for the entire
country is placed at S1.4, against I'll a
year ago. The average was advanced
last year to 827 on May 1, and sub
sequently reduced to 79 for June 1,
and 1916 for July /. There is little
room for expectations of any improve
ment in the average this season.
| The delays in seeding oats occasion
ed by the prevailing moisture threaten
a curtailment of the acreage Of this
grain, and latenesss for g considerable
portion of that which will be seeded.
The same conditions are delaying the
preparation of corn land and it's plant.
ing. =
In the Northwest the season is back.
ward, and seeding has been delayed by
moisture. Possibilities of the season,
however, still admit of good results in
that direction, although the position
is Enthusiastically prejudiced by the
existing unreasOnableness. The OK
lpected gain in area of spring wheat IL
hardly to be counted on. from present
indications.
The wheat markets have been some
what cratic recently. The decline at
Chicago in the preceding week. noted
at the close, has been partly recovered
this week, and there are various fea
lures which appear favorable to a fur
lther gain in prices, if not overcome by
undue influence of prominent specula
tors. The offerings Of wheat in the
interior are now lessening, while the
demand from millers is getting more
urgent. The close at Chicago shove
again of 2tc for May. and 14c for July
wheat, compared with a week ago.
The corn market at Chicago has had
something of an improving tendency
and closes &c higher for May. and slm1-
larly for July, in comparison with a
week ago. II conditions were to be
decidedly favorable for the start Of the
ne crop there would appear to be lit
tie occasion for expecting much of an
advancing tendency for this grain
but on the other hand, with the low
position of prices, even with the great
abundance of supplies, the chances
would favor higher figures later on il
the crop conditions should develop dis
couragingly'
May wheat at Chicago closed al
the highest point of the week, sc
above the lowest point, and 2sc hihgel
than a week ago.
i Corn at Chicago for May closed ae
below the highest point of the week
1c above the lowest point of the week
and &c higher than a week ago.
Wheat receipts at primary markets
were 2.717,000 bushels for the week
against 1,877,OO0 the preceding week
and !, 1922, 900 last year.
i Corn receipts were /, 1856. 900 bushels
against 1.825,000 the preceding week
and 1850, 900 last year.