Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-03-04
GRAIN TRADE AND CROPS.

The Cincinnati Price Current of last
Thursday says
The disappearance of snow has en-
abled observers to judge of the situa
ton of wheat ields. and for the most
part the result seems to be favorable,
there being some exceptions, notably
in portions of Illinois, Missouri, etc. A
full survey of the situation does not
suggest any special change in the gen
eral outlook. The trade understands
that the season is now at hand when
the crop is liable to be brought under
trying ordeals of freezing and thawing
and winds-but drawbacks in these
particulars in any important degree
are matters entirely of the future, and
LIZ not experienced beyond the ordinary
conditions the winter crop will be in
position to admit of good results.
So far as spring seeding is concerned.
no reliable estimate can be offered, but
the prevailing expectation is that an
increase in area will be put in wheat,
unless the season should prove un-
usually unfavorable.
There is some speculation among the
trade as to the probable showing of the
Government report eff farmers stocks
of wheat on March 1. last year the
report indicated 1913 900 900 bushels
The returns for July indicated about
40, 900. 600 then remaining. This differ
ence of SO. 900, 900. with 100000 de
crease in the visible stocks, made an
apparent reduction in supplies of 100,-
900 600 bushels from March to July L
During this period the domestic con.
sumption was not much short 100 600.
600, the spring seeding about Is, 600 900,
and the exports $4,000 GOO. In other
words the manifest distribution exceed
ed. the suggested supply somewhere
about $4,000, 900 bushels.
With 10000 600 of farmers stocks on
July 1. ~. 900. 900 of visible, a crop of
450. OG0.00 the supply would appear to
be 537. 000, 900 bushels. The consump
ton may have been approximately
210, 600, 900 bushels for the eight months
March 1; fall seeding say 30 .000, 900; ex
ports 115. 000 0-suggesting distribu-
| ton amounting to $50 900 900, leaving
balance of 1T ,000 900; visible supply
A, 600, 900. leavef 132. 600, 900 as the logi
cal result for farmers stocks. The
crop estimate however is 100000 in
excess of the Government estimate.
We will put it as a guess that the Coy.
rnment returns of farmers stocks will
AOU 10 OVCA 41Os OOO,OoO, anu
not much if any less than 100000, 000.
Z Some interest has been centered in
the probable position of corn supplies
but every one knows they are excep
tionally large. Last year the official
estimate was 1,072, 900 600 bushels for
March 1. The returns this year should
be expected to be not less than 1 $780,
| 000, 900, with chances favoring a great
er quantity.
The wheat markets have lost ground
the past week, and there is nothing in
sight at the close to give substantial
encouragement as to especially higher
values in the near future. The evil
denees are increasing that the stocks
nnmarketed are in fact more liberal
than the popular recognition has sug
gested. The flour trade is dull. The
milling demand for wheat is disap-
pointing. sThe export movement is
not especially assuring. The cheap
| ness of other food products must be ex-
pected to continue to have modify
ing influence on wheat. Quite likely
the highest prices on the crop have al
| ready been realized.
May wheat at Chicago closed 3sc be-
low the highest point of the week, &c
above the lowest point, and &c lower
than week ago.
Corn at Chicago for May closed ac
| below the highest point of the week,
.c above the lowest point of the week,
| and higher than week ago.
Wheat receipts at primary markets
were 1.712,OO bushels for the week
against 1,481 200. the preceding week
and 1,942 600 last year.
Corn receipts were 1884, 900 bushels,
against 4,57S,000 the preceding week,
and 2. Alp, 900 last year.