The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-15
IMPORTANCE OF WHEAT CROP.


During the past month all eyes have
been on Kansas wheat fields. The peo-
pie of New York have been just as anx-
ious about the outconm of the wheat
harvest as have the people of Kansas
City.
How much the country depends upon
the wheat crop is told in an editorial
in the New York Tribune from which
the following extract is taken:
A heavy wheat crop this year is by no
means restricted in its influence to the
farmers and those Immediately con-
nected with this agricultural pursuit,
but to unusual extent win facili-
tate the march of prosperity throughout
the entire country. During the last few
weeks there has been much anxiety re-
gardlng conditions on the farms, from
which emanated the customary rumOrs
of extensive injury from insects and
4 elements, for anything less than an av-
erage crop meant a reduced freight
movement by the railroads, not only of
grain away from the farms, but of sup
plies purchased by wheat raisers and
others in those sections whose success
depends on the funds put in circula-
ton by growers of grain. The latter
item is becoming factor of vital i'm
pOrtance. In recent years the agricul-
tural population has taken freely of
manufactured goods as we'll as staple
articles, and any misfortune on the
farms is quickly reflected in CONNER
cial channels.
As examples. the light yield in spring
wheat states last year practically shut
off splendid market for fur goods of
all kinds that had been secured by east
ern manufacturers, while the bright
outlook in all wheat growing sections
early this season brought to makers of
agricultural implements, harvesting
machinery, etc, the heaviest orders
ever received, so that freight trains
going west with these products We're
al a rcl1T Tod Cd
much enthusiasm along the route Rail
way earnings, which have of late
steadily shown large gains over pre-
viOus years, are greatly dependent on
this factor, and the stock market owed
much of its strength to the prospective
business of railroads, either directly or
Indirectly due to the wheat crop.
Moreover, there is every reason to
hope that even with a big crop there
viii be no return to the low prices of
1894, when 541z cents was quoted at this
city, although the total yield was 200.-
600, 900 bushels less than is now indi-
Gated for 1901 While the per capita
consumption in this country has not
increased materially, there is a larger
population to feed. but far more inn
pOrtant in it's influence on quotations
is the increased demand from other
nations Continental Europe has be-
come a greater wheat consumer. dis
carding rye and the cheaper grains
wherever conditions have improved
sufficiently to make this possible while
the far east and south are also buying
more freely.
The Importance of wheat in the for
eigu commerce of this nation is shown
by exports in ten months of the cur
rent fiscal year aggrega ting 172 654. 869
bushels. valued at 1872 sos 9S. or over
p per cent of the entire international
trade balance in favor of this country
for that period. Since May 1 the move
n ent has been still more satisfactory.
although official statistics are not avail
able. With such an outside market as
sured it, it will not be difficult to dis
pose of even the enormous crop indi-
Gated by the report of the DEPARTMENT
of agriculture just made public. Ae-
cording to its figures of acreage and
condition the total wheat yield win be
about $4,000 600 bushels. or equal to the
greatest crop ever known. During the
last four weeks the American visible
supply has decreased 10.469, goo bushels,
and it looks as though the new crop
year would open with only about thirty
million bushels in sight.