Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-16
DECREASED WHEAT CROP.
A Falling OF of Over 2OO,OOO, 900
Bushels Indicated.

The Agricultural Department has issued
circular giving the substance Of reports
received by II up to June 10 on the Condi-
ton of foreign crops. 1t says that a Brit
ish commercial estimate tentatively puts
the worlds wheat crop of 1899 a. 2,5DI,oo0,-
600 bushels, against 274S,O0o.O00 bushels i'm
1898, a reduction of pa, 100000 bushels, or
nearly SO per cent Another estimate
makes a reduction of 352.OO0,Oo0 bushels.
Such information as can be gathered for
different countries is then given in detail.
Reports from the country around Odessa
and Nikolaieff, Russia, represent the win
ter grain crops. both wheat and rye, as al
most destroyed by drought, by which the
spring grains also had been severely in
jured, and would soon be beyond help I'M
less 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, il is evident, the department says,
that the crop of bread grain for the empira
as a whole cannot be good one. not
withstandiDg that for the few other locali-
ties which have been heard from the re-
ports are generally favorab BILE Ii mas even
been suggested that the crop may not ex-
coed that of 1897.
Information from Germany is scant. tut
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
dNHcI III NdIIOuS pdtls OI o6I manly
According to the official report on the
Austrian crops for the middle of May,
wheat and barley promised about an aver
age yield, but rye and oats were below
that standard.
In a report of the Hungarian ministry of
agriculture, issued on May 20, the area
under wheat was estimated al about !, $40
600 acres, against 100000 acres last year,
ard on this basis, taken in connection with
condition of plant, some commercial osti-
mates put the crop as high as 40Wa 90
bushels, against 124,oo00O0 in 1885, thou III
other estimates are less favorable. I'M
official reports Of ten days later show that
the weather had been such as TO cause a
lowering of the condition OF cereals since
the official report was issued.
Severe drought has prevailed in Rou~
mania. and the wheat and rye crops are not
expected to give more than half OF an
average yield. Some estimate the wheat
crop at no more than 80 per cent of an
average. Other cereals also have suffered.
The reports from Bulgaria are better.
though by no means good. Those from
Turkey, both European and Asiatic, are
favorable.
Accounts from Italy are favorable. ard
those from Spain show a marked improves
ment in the prospect of the cereal crops
throughout the greater part of TIE penin4
sula, though it seems improbable that either
wheat or other cereals will yield as well as
in 1898
Next to the Russian wheat crop. that of
France is the largest and most important
IA europe, anu lHe OUTLOOK Tor a good Weld
Is decidedly better than in the former
country. According to the official crop re-
port for May 10, the area under wheat il
ABOUT the same as last year, or very utus
isss, while the condition is about : per cent
lower. On this basis crop would be. In
round numbers, about 20,G00,0oo bus hels less
than that CT last year
In other continental countries and Elsa
IN Great Britain, there has been consider
ahle complaint Of cold, unreasonable
weather, but, except in Denmark and Swe-
aen, there is no mention of any serious in
jury TO important cereal crops
No Official report has vet baen made NO
70 the indian wheat crop recently mar.
vested, but 1t is known to be consideranIv
shalier IMAM that of 1895 Reports as To
very favorable. ~