The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-18
WHEAT OF CANADA
Exportable Surplus. May Reach
1So, 100000 Blu: in Ten Years.
A QUARTER OF THAT ALREADY
Markets for States Grain and Flour
observation-disclosures for Re-
ciprOcal Relations.
Special to The Journal.


Fort William. Ont. March 1S.-The north
western provinces. Manitoba and Assinihoia,
are suffering from too large a crop Of wheat
so much grain was raised in these provinces
last fall that there is no way of getting it to
market and no possibility of storing it in the
terminal elevators. The farmers and grain
buyers Of the provinces have applied to
American railways and elevators at Duluth
for help, and their surplus wheat is now
going into Duluth at the rate of hundreds of
cars day. Several million bushels will be
taken there before the opening of navigation.
Already the. amount received at Duluth has
amounted to 900 bushels or more 49,.
For the first time the eXportable surplus Of
wheat from northwestern Canada has ex-
ceeded %, 600 bushels. and it has this time
reached a total twice as large. 1t was not
until two or three years ago that Manit oban
and Assiniboian farmers began the cultiva-
ton of wheat on a large and scientific SCALE
and the fruits OF the experimental stations es-
tablished a few years ago throughout the re-
glon by the government are just showing
themselves. = .--. -t.-... =.
r. Farmers Lose Profits. ,~>E
The crop of wheat of last fall so far ex-
ceeded all expectations that the railroads are
unable to care for it. Neither are there cars
ana engines enough to haul it to market
There are not sufficient elevators along the
roads to handle it as the farmers haul it in,
nor are there terminal elevators at Lake Su-
perlor ports in Canada in which to put any
large part of it. AS result the farmers are
now selling their wheat at prices 10 to 10
cents bushel less than it would be worth
on ampler transportation facilities and the
farmers of the northwestern American states
are face to face with competition that has
| already shown them that protection some-
times is worse than than they thought it
was going to be when they helped put duty
of % cents a bushel on wheat ..,.. -.
Fortunately for the Canadian northwest
there was completed a few months ago Sec
ond railroad connecting the provinces with
Lake Superior at this city. By this new road
the situation is somewhat relieved, but the
condition is still so bad that grain buyers
are making margin of more than 10 cents
bushel on wheat they buy in the country, and
this condition cannot be improved materially
until the elevator facilities are greatly en-
larged, both at terminals on Lake Superior
and throughout the country
Storage to Be Increased.
The Canadian Pacific has elevator storage
capacity here for $500, 900 bushels of grain.
The Canadian Northern has at the adjoining
village Of Port Arthur, new elevator Of
1,250. 900 bushels and there is ia trifling indie
pendent capacity there. The Canadian Pacific
has sent its elevator officers to Duluth to in
spe2t new methods of construction there and
announces that it will add Immediately 4 GOO-
coo bushels to it's terminal capacity here; the
Canadian Northern will double it's plant at
Port Arthur, while the independent CAPACITY
| there will be increased to 800, 600 bushels
This will make a total of 1890, 900 bushels
capacity at the Canadian heud of the lakes
which is expected to be ample for some time
to come There are elevators at Duluth to
hold "a 100000 bushels, and at all Lake Supe-
rior points the grain storage capacity will be
900 bushels by the coming autumn
What the Future Holds.
The increase of wheat grown in the Cana
dian northwest is an indication of what may
be expected when the vast region of these
provinces that now lies fallow is settled and
cultivated. Cultivated land is the exception
in the Canadian northwest, though settlers
from all over the central United States are
pouring in. 1t would not be improbable if an
exportable surplus of 100. 600 bushels a
year should be raised in this region inside of
ten years. The farmer who raises this wheat
has now no market in the United States. on
account of the tariff and there is no market
in Canada where he can trade in safety His
wheat is therefore selling in Liverpool now at
2 to cents bushel under the price of what
is known as Duluth No. I northern. In con-
sequence of this fact the market for the
wheat Of the northwestern states is seriously
restricted: i'll fact. it is killed
The same is true of -four made at Mime
apols, Duluth and in the Dakotas It can
not compete in England with flour made there
from Manitoba wheat, and the grain trade of
the American northwest is seriously crippled.
1t is the opinion of all who have given the
matter thought that reciprocity with Canada
70 cover wheat would avoid this discrmina-
ton, and sentiment is growing in the north
west in favor of free trade, or reciprocal rela-
lions with Canada. Farmers in the states
who have largely been protectionists are grad.
ually changing their views.