Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-06-23
Decreased Wheat Crop.

The Agricultural Department has issued a
circular giving the substance of reports re-
ceived by it up to June 10 on the condition
of foreign crops. 1t says that British
commercial estimate tentatively puts the
worlds wheat crop of 1899 at 1884 100000
bushels, against 2,74S,0OO,000 bushels in
1898, reduction OF 244, 100000 bushels, or
nearly SO per cent Another estimate makes
a reduction of 352,0O0000 bushels. Such
information as can be gathered for different
countries is then given in detail
Reports from the country around Odessa
and Nikolaleff, Russia, represent the winter
grain crops, both wheat and rye, as almost
destroyed by drought, by which the spring
grains also had been severely injured, and
would soon be beyond help unless relieved
by rain. Taking into account the injuries
heretofore reported as having been caused
by insects in three or four other provinces
within the winter wheat region, it is ev.
dent, the department says, that the crop Of
bread grain for the empire as whole can
not be a good one, Notwithstanding that for
the few other localities which have been
heard from the reports are generally favor
able. 1t has even been suggested that the
crop may not exceed that OF 1897.
Information from Germany is scant, but
there has been complaint OF deficient sun
shine and warmth, and the harvest was
thought likely to be week or two later
than usual. Later advices indicate better
weather in various parts of Germany.
According to the official report on the
Austrian crops for the middle of May, wheat
and barley promised about an average
yield, but rye and oats were below that
standard.
In report of the Hungarian ministry of
agriculture, issued on May 20, the area I'M.
der wheat was estimated at about 1900, 900
acres, against 100000 acres last year. and
on this basis, taken in connection with con-
dition of plant, some commercial estimates
put the crop as high as 140,000,000 bushels,
against l24, 900 900 in 1893, though other es.
Inmates are less favorable. Unofficial reports
of ten days later show that the weather had
been such as to cause a lowering of the con-
dition of cereals since the official report was
issued.
Severe drought has prevailed in Rouma-
mia, and the wheat and rye crops are not
expected to give more than half of an aver,
age yield. Some estimate the wheat crop at
no more than 80 per cent of an average -
Other cereals also have suffered The re.
ports from Bulgaria are better, though by
no means good. Those from Turkey, both
European and Asiatic, are favorable.
Accounts from Italy are favorable, and
those from Spain show marked improve.
ment In the prospect of the cereal crops
throughout the greater part of the PENN.
sula, though it seems improbable that either
wheat or other cereal will yield as well as
in 1898
Next to the Russian wheat crop, that OF
France is the largest and most important in
Europe, and the outlook for good yield is
decidedly better than in the former country.
According to the official crop report for May
| 10, the area under wheat is about the same
as last year, or very little less, while the
condition is about per cent lower. On
this basis crop would be, in round mum.
bers, about 20, 100000 bushels less than that
of last year.
In other continental countries, and also
in Great Britain, there has been considera.
Bile complaint of the cold and unreasonable
weather, but, except in Denmark and Swe-
den, there is no mention of any serious in
jury TO important cereal crops.
No official report has yet been made as
to the Indian wheat crop recently harvest
ed, but it is known to be considerably
smaller than that of 1893 Reports as to
the agricultural outlook in Australasia are
very favorable.