The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-02
The Enormous Exports of
Breadstuffs.
1t Was Generally a Prosperous
Year for Farmers.
A Document That Should Prove of
Interest to Citizens of the
State Generally.

Following is the annual report of the
Directors of the State Board of Agri-
culture to the Governor. as adopted at
Yesterdays meeting of that body. 1t
comprises a review of the Industrial
conditions Of 1897:
Office of the State Board of Agricult-
ure. Sacramento February l, 1898.
Hon. James H. Budd, Governor Of
California-Sir: The State Board CT
Agriculture has the honor to submit its
annual report for the fiscal year ending
January 81. 1898, as required by law.
Reference is herein made from a
trade st standpoint to the general con-
dition of our principal products for the
year just closed.
We also embody such suggestions for
the welfare of agricultural pursuits as
our observations and study prompt,
with the object of extending soil cult
ure and aiding the farming community
in general, as well as of directing at
tentioa to the possibilities of Califor-
MIA.
The statistical tables showing in de-
tail, yield of wheat and other cereals
with export totals of our principal
DGOduCIE. VIII Ue AOuilu ldi tiiCA ga -
this volume.
THE SEASON OF 1897.
The season OF 1869 opened most ia
vorably, in an agricultural sense, with
a normal rainfall There had been
seeded to wheat much larger acre
age than for several years past, and
good rainfall in February made the
crops most certain. The month of
March brought a long, wet spell, with
severe frosts during the latter part
that did much damage to early fruits.
From the middle of April followed a
long dry spell accompanied by north
erly winds. which, in the absence OF our
usual spring showers hampered the
growth of cereals and greatly reduced
the yield of hay. The latter crop was
exceedingly short, as it almost wholly
Deepen Is upon spring rains to bring 1t
to maturity.
But this light yield of hay was more
than compensated for by the better
prices that prevailed throughout the
year, much better than for several sea-
sons previous. Our wheat crop would
have suffered to a very considerable
extent were it not for the cool, moist
weather during June-a month that
generally brings ripening weather
which allowed the heads to thoroughly
and slowly ripen, thereby giving a
greater yield to the acre than We an
ticipated. The result is, that with the
increased acreage, we raised, notwith-
standing the drawback a crop a little
in excess of the year previous. Our
estimate of the wheat crop. as shown
in tables. is 81 ,449, 3S1 bushels, as
against 29,655.1T4 for 1896.
With light stocks the wheat market
was SLOW until the April prospects in
dicated poor crops, and with a demand
from Australia and South Africa, prices
temporarily strengthened. Then follow
ed quieter markets until the movement
of the new crop commenced, when No
! white wheat was selling at 81 20 per
GENITAL alongside ship. Early in July
came reports of serious damage TO
the crops on the continent of Europe
when prices continued to rapidly ad-
vance, until in August they reached
81 dIl2 Per GENITAL, or 81 00o per BUSH
Ell. The buying was led by France,
which country. owing to reports from
Rounania and Russia showing a de-
felt, was obliged to look to the United
States fer the bulk of her supplies. The
whole situation very much resembled
the great campaign of 1891. when Rus
STA. by edict, prohibited all exports Of
grain. The prospects of similar action
on the Part of that Government greatly
aided the upward movement, but it
came not, and the exports from Russia
under the stimulus OF high prices were
about the same as in 1896.
The exports for the last six months Of
xfs4
crop turned out TO be the largest and
best for years. exceeded all previous
records in supplying In part the in.
creased requirements of Europe. and
were greatly augmented by reason Of
the deficiencies In the usual shipments
form Argentina. Australia and India.
After the rapid advance as noted
prices eased off, and at the end of the
year No. / wheat was quoted at | i2.2
per GENITAL. as against 81 so at the
close Of 1896. but the increase in price
in 1896 did not come until late in the
fail-after the growers had Disposed OF
az least so per cent. of the yIesa 50 that
they did not reap the benefit. This SEA-
ser the advance began Immediately
after harvest, and as the producers were
stiff holders nearly all benefited, which
accounts for the prosperous condition
or trade upon this coass
T. C. Friedlander. Seccetars Of the San
Francisco Produce Exchange has once
more furnished this board with his an
ual wheat. flour and barley review. with
export tables especially prepared Ter
this office. and it will be found IN full
in this volume We find the total cx-
ports of wheat for the year to be 9.5tls-
600 centals, or about 100000 bushels,
as against about 12.000,o00 eentals in
1896
Exports of -four for the year amounted
to $4,000 bbls. against |. 1sa000 in 1896
the decrease having been about 300. GOO
barrels to Australia, and loo,o0o to
China.