Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-08-20
op,ue,s COOP alIlLETlN.

ending Aug 10y
A year ago at this date corn was doing
remarkably well. Going out Of the milk
stage and entering the dough. We were
very busy thrashing oats and winding
up the thrashing of the late winter
wheat. The country was contending
with very aggravating period OF heat
and dry weather in the Ohio Valley IN
the Southwest as well as the lower lake
regions. There was also very general
absence of moisture, and on the whole
week of very strained conditions. The
week now closing has been marked by
low degrees of temperature all over the
country and with an absence of moisture
very general. While this Every destruc-
tive drouth" came to an end on the 9th
ult., west of the Mississippi River, new
Developments and new areas have as
sumed wide proportions in all those
states which were not previously affect
ed, and the season now promises to
wind up with what might be called a
very general drouth in the surplus grain
growing states of the country, probably
with the exception Of the extreme north
west. These conditions have developed
a very decided curtailment in the move
ment of the crops, with corresponding
decrease in grain receipts at grain CEN
tres, and a new range of higher prices
has been established, but this has not
succeeded in drawing grain away from
home, but the interchange has been al
most wholly among farmers for home
consumption. For the first time in the
history of this drouth we are receiving
reports as to the general curtailment OF
fall trade. At the same time the i'm
mense winter wheat crop and its great
demand at home, to say nothing about
the foreign demand, will in measure
bridge over the chasm until we make
another crop in 1902.
At the date of my report of Aug. Sd,
the states of Illinois, Ohio, Indiana,
Iowa and Nebraska, states which had
only been partially damaged by dry |
weather and intense heat, it was thought
that we should grow at least from one
half to three-quarters of crop of corn,
owing to the good rains which had fallen |
the week previous July 27th), but these
rains were followed again by more or
less high temperature and dry weather, |
and there has been no favorable re-
spouse in the growing condition of the
crop. 1t is very doubtful now, in fact al
most positive, that we shall see no further
in the corn crop for 1901,
no matter how favorable conditions may |
be in the future. Time, the great factor |
in everything, has now clearly shown be-
yond controversy and contradiction that |
the late corn was practically killed in the |
pollen" by the excessive heat during
the last days of July. Such condition
as exists to-day in the corn belt has
probably never been known before, COW
ering so broad an area, in the history of
the country. Corn to-day is selling
in the country, at as high |
prices, less the freight, and even higher
than it is bringing at grain centres.
OATS.
Great progress has been made with
the oat crop during the last
ten days. Late furnishings show nothing
new. Great bulk of the crop will be all
secured within ten days. High prices
being very largely needed for home con-
Quality and quantity varied.
CONCLUSIONS.
Drouth developing very seriously in
the Mississippi Valley. Corn prospects
never as low as at this date. Plenty of
stalks, but no ears. Dat thrashing we'll
along. Early and free movement has
failed to develop. Spring wheat crop
more or less varied. Very large demand
for winter wheat for home consumption.
Movement continues to be checked by
loss of corn crop. General mutterings
all over the corn belt of volume of fall
trade falling off. Temperature low.
Signs of early frost.