The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-19
The VIII eat Situation,

"The harvest is past" and, although
the summer is not yet ended, and the
labor of threshing is not yet conclud-
ed, the period is not inappropriate to
look over the field somewhat, and as
simulate the views Of those who arc
best qualified to judge as to the vol
ume of the yield Of the wheat crop.
Estimates are still potent factors with
respect to the volume Of this cereal
the present year; and it is only fair to
say that these estimates reveal conf
dence in an enormous product. Dur
ing the past three weeks considerable
uncertainty existed northward from
the lower parallels of Southern Mime
sofa and South Dakota, due in large
measure to the varableness Of the
weather and It's influence, first, upon
the filling out process, and secondly,
upon the ripening. 1t is apparent also
that the figures supplied, as indicating
losses sustained in different sections
from hail and storm, as we'll as from
drouth, in the distinctively spring
wheat sections, were far in excess or
the damage actually resulting from
these causes. The elevator men have
been, and continue to be, industrious
and close observers of the situation;
and we have now from two eminent
sources the expression of opinion that
the yield of wheat in Minnesota and
the two Dakotas will aggregate, II 1t
will not exceed, 2O0,000,0OO bushels. If
these figures are realized, the crop OF
1898 for the United States may rea-
sonably be put down at not less than
$50, 900, 900 bushels.
Thus far no certainty exists as to
the crop of the world, beyond the fact
that the Russian yield will not ap-
proach the liberal estimates given out
earlier in the season; nor is there any
thing to justify the belief that the
yield of continental Europe is likely
to be surprisingly large. However,
with our own crop now fully assured,
1t is evident that the eagerness with
! which the American producer, fascl-
mated by the high prices Of last winter
| and spring, increased his area Of wheat
| growth is destined to result in a much
lower average score in the markets FOR
the next twelve months. But notWtth-
standing, interviews with competent
| judges, both in the elevator and mill
ing industries, warrant the statement
| that the American grower Of wheat
will not suffer from abnorn1ally low
prices. The weather has been as near
ly absolutely perfect as possible. in
favor of a superb crop, both in the
| winter and spring wheat sections. and
| the abundance Of the supply is not
likely to be so pre- eminent as to lead
| to a glut Of the cereal either in the
markets for home consumption or for
export. But it is clear that the farmer
| must be content to accept a deficiency
in revenue from that realized from the
crop Of 1897, through the sale Of the
| increase. Figured upon some such
basis as this, there is no doubt that
the net results Of the harvests Of 1898,
especially in the Northwest, taking
wheat in connection with all other
farm products, will he equal to, if not
in excess of the net returns for the
| labor of last year. This is a prosper
| Gus condition, which can only be view
| ed with the deepest satisfaction by
| every resident Of the section so IA
Vore&