The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-11-20
EXPERT CROP AUTHORITY
n. V. JONES OF MINNEAPOLIS
PREDICTS 81 WHEAT IN
WASHINGTON.
Now Making Tour of Grain State. in
Observation-Disclosures Three Trips
Year.

Perhaps one Of the most reliable au-
thorlties upon grain statistics in the
United States is H. V. Jones, crop es-
tlmator and grain expert of Minneapo-
lis, who was in Tacoma yesterday
while on the way from Portland to
Seattle, says the Ledger.
Mr.. Jones places the grain crop Of
Washington, Oregon and Idaho COM
bined at 53,0O0,O00 bushels and thinks
that the highest estimates heretofore
published are much nearer the cor
rect figures than lower calculations.
He states that the market Of the
northwest is largely independent of
that in the east. this year, where in
spite OF the large surplus. wheat will
go up to 81 per bushel by May. Cali
fornia and Texas are the most disap-
pointing states this year and Texas is
buying heavily in the middle west,
thus changing the conditions of last
year.
Makes Three Inspections Yearly.
Three times each year Mr.. Jones in
wheat farms in every embarrassing
section east of the Rocky mountains,
personally inspecting in minute man.
ner the growing crop. He makes his
first inspection in the winter when the
wheat is first sprouting and the last
Immediately precedes the cutting of
the crop. His annual estimate is made
week before the crop is ready to be
harvested. 1t represents the result
of 10000 miles travel
THE government figures are about
65,000,00O bushels in excess of my fig
ures for the United States, but l think
am conservative wnen l say that
opinion in the east believes that the
government has Overestimated the
crop this year, as for several years
previous.
Last May wheat sold above $1.25.
The leading bull interests in Chicago
predict $1.10 this year for May wheat,
which would be an advance of
about 20 cents over present prices.
The more conservative view is 81
wheat While the east is exporting
large quantities of wheat and flour, it
! is largely Canadian production.
Pacific Coast Independent.
"The Pacific coast is quite independ-
ent of the eastern markets. There is
surplus east of the Rockies of full
ly $4,000, 900 bushels above home needs.
II LOOKS DIS though lHe surplus Oll Tic
Pacific coast would be disposed of
easily and go out of the country. This
narrows the market situation in the
country down to the surplus east of
the Rockies. and there is considerable
difference of opinion in Minneapolis,
Chicago and New York as to what the
price of wheat will be during the
spring months. Texas probably has
less than 100000 bushels of good
milling wheat and needs 10000, 900.
Oklahoma produced less wheat than
last year and her surplus is being
rapidly exhausted. Kansas is being
drawn upon by the Texas millers. 1t
must be kept in mind that there is
great difference regarding price where
wheat is raised. A given total may
be produced in any country, but if it
is not we'll distributed, the market is
affected mucn more emphatically than
when it is we'll distributed. Last year
the Ohio valley was a steady buyer in
the southwest, so that the southwest
situation is about eQualiZed.
THE United States visible supply
of wheat includes Canada and people
must be misled if they exclude these
figures. The visible supply increased
1000, 900 bushels two weeks ago, Of
which 100000 bushels were in Can
ada"