The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-17
FOREIGN CROP SITUATION.
Shortage of Russia's Wheat Yield Not
So Great as First Reported.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE Agricul-
tural Department has issued it's monthly
review of the foreign crop situation. Much
attention is devoted to the grain crop of
Russia on account of its magnitude as a
factor in the European supply. The review
says that all accounts agree in represent
ing the wheat crop as deficient, but as to
the extent of the deficiency much differ
ence of opinion exists After quoting many
dispatches, painting the crop situation in
various provinces in very black colors and
the statements of our consul at Odessa that
this years crop has proved failure, the re-
view calls attention to the fact that since
harvest Russia has exported grain very
freely. The exports of wheat from Aug. 1
to Oct. 20, says the review, amounted to
4.152840 quarters, against 2,855640 quarters
and $685.. 7S0 quarters during the correspond
ing period in 1896 and 1895, respectively.
These very large exports have led COM
mercial papers to withhold their credence
frem the mere pessimistic reports which
have been published. That the crop was de-
ficient was admitted, but that the failure
was so serious, as such reports implied. few
of the grain dealers Of western Europe
would believe. Recently, however, some
change of attitude is becoming apparent
Stocks in the ports are not increasing in
the manner usual for this time of year and
the opinion is freely expressed that, after
this month, Russia can be relied upon for
only very moderate shipments. 1t is gener-
ally understood that Russia had large stocks
of wheat left over from the crops of the
preceding year, and this fact, coupled with
the good prices which have prevailed, may
account for the large exports which have
"a
large parts of Russia has been extremely
serious" The review says the estimates or
the Russian crop are so uncertain that
their production would be of doubtful utll-
ity.
The preliminary official figures for France
show a reduction of rs per cent. below 1896
and II per cent below the average for ten
years. AS for five years France and Russia
produced 26 per cent. of the world crop
the review says a heavy shortage IN Doth
countries, would, therefore, be sufficient in
itself to produce a very sensible erect on
the worlds supply, Independent OF the snort
crops in Austria Hungary, the Danupian
and Balkan countries and elsewhere, and
the shortness of the last crop in India, AUS
traia and Argentina.
bread grain of that country, has been Off
cialy estimated at per cent. less than last
years crop. The various estimates Tor
Austria Hungary are more or less CONNECT
ing, but there is no doubt as to there being
heavy deficit in the wheat crop. Inc
wheat crop of the United Kingdom is estl-
mated at 0U,O0O,0Oc UuSiSlS. Liz
estimate of the Italian wheat crop makes
it IS 131 600 bushels, against 144, 722 200 bush
els last year. The Roumanian wheat crop
is estimated at 37,134,720 bushels. The Bull
garian wheat crop is estimated at 40 per
cent, rye at IS to 40 per cent, and barley
at 25 per cent. less than last year The
wheat crop of Turkey has been estimated
at So 500 600 imperial bushels.
AS regards crops now growing In the
southern hemisphere, the news continues 10
be favorable on the whole. In Argentina,
drought, which, for a time, in some prov
inces, threatened serious injury seems to
have been generally broken, and danger of
any serious loss from such a source seems
now in the advanced state of the crop, to
have passed. The Indian wheat crop has
been sown under favorable conditions and
the same is generally true of the winter
grain crops of Europe, and both in India
and in Europe the weather seems, in the
main, to have been very favorable to the
growth of the seed.