The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-06
The Crops and the Outlook.

Disturbed by sensational reports of
plant deterioration in the wheat fields,
the business interests of the north
west have been thru a siX-day period
of intense nervousness. The re-
markable advance from Monday
morning to. Friday noon that carried
wheat prices up 10 cents bushel was
not equaled even in the drought
scare year, 1900, and, for quickness
and unbroken continuity, was sur
passed only in the Letter year, 1898.
General attention was drawn to the
grain markets, Minneapolis leading
them all in strength.
Local interests in which activity
and prosperity are primarily dependent
upon the size of the crop, felt this
keenly, and hope went down as prices
rose. The railroads. flour mills, ele-
vators and kindred interests need a
big crop. Jobbers, manufacturers,
bankers, city retailers and country
merchants need it only in less de-
gree. Directly or indirectly the re-
| turns affect everyone. This season
more than ever the northwest stood
| ready for a good wheat yield; for 1t
is several years since there has been
bumper crop.
| Rust of the black variety, or stem
rust, is a serious affection. Never be-
fore has it appeared in the three
states in such a serious form. In 1854
! black rust ruined splendid stand Of
wheat in southern Wisconsin, then a
center of production, and in 1878 it
struck wheat in Wisconsin and Mime
sofa and in forty-eight hours turned
a brilliant prospect into half a crop.
Only at intervals has it appeared
here, and then in scattered localities.
Coming last week upon a crop back
ward from the first, and making slow
| Roadway against long-continued I'M
favorable weather, it quickly put the
grain trade from apprehension into
a state of alarm that bordered upon
panic.
Later careful investigation shows
the extreme tension to have been I'M
| warranted. There are losses that in
localities will be enormous, but so far
there has been no general crop calana-
ity. Some time must pass before it
can be known how seriously the
northwest has been hit, but mean
| while it is possible to define the areas
affected more closly, and to note thai
the rust is no longer spreading so rap.
idly. Despite the heavy losses, there
is still opportunity for a fair wheat
yield on the whole, while coarse
grains and other crops promise we'll
and have been little affected by the
blight.
Rain over southern Minnesota Of
South Dakota where wheat cutting
will soon be general, or early fros
upon the late wheat in North Dakota
are the two things yet to be feared
Indeed the general outlook, while still
affording basis for fair expectation, i
fraught with greater uncertainty thi
year than has been the case in man.
seasons, nevertheless, there is no rea
A son to expect the worst and in the re
ports from the more favored local.
ties is much to encourage. With /;
3 fair show from now on, the northwes
z will have some wheat after all.
Hesitation is the dominant tone il
financial circles the country over
Something little more definite is de
I sired before future commitment i
made on a large scale. Strikes of i'm
portance continue and IN inner none
tary circles the foreign war situatio
: is regarded as a factor of uncertainty
Generally speaking the outlook
: for quiet period until fall wher
with the crops in and the electo
), over, the country should be able
make a new start forward into in
: creased activity in all business lines
I. Mrs Burgadine, an Illinois woman
went to the White House to warn TIL
n president of danger to him, revealed
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