Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-06

THE WHEAT DECREASE.
Northwest Reports Cause Much Dis
cussjon in Minneapolis,

cu5Sion IN minneapolis.
Minneapolis, Dec. 6.-Changing cou-
ditions In the northwest and the prob
abilities in agriculture for the future
were discussed at the Chamber of
Commerce yesterday, following the
publication OF the annual report of +.
W. Eva, chief grain inspector. In the
crop year of 1904-1905 receipts Of
wheat In the northwest fell off by
1871 carloads, the total being 1855 "a
loads. In the same period coar Sc
grains showed an increase of about
5000 cars,
No doubt 1t is entertained that II is
showing will give rise to much infer T.
ence the country over that will be en-
roneous. 1t Is expected by the cham
Der officials that economic writers will
see in the comparison the swift mar2h
OF diversiiicaton, and that much col l.
ment theoretically correct, Will oe
overd1awi and the situation overstat-
ed In consequence.
Really the surprising thing is not
that the receipts fell off, but that thsy
decreased by only 1871 cars. The thr &c
states-Minnesota Month and South
Dakota. raised, on the crop In ques-
tion, according to the government re-
port, 15sT93,2S3 bushels, compar I'd
with 171,146,171 bushels in 1003.NA de-
crease of 5000 to 5000 cars might haze
reasonably been expected. But hiish
prices drew up winter wheat from t ie
southwest and western wheat terri
tory ordinarily tributary to the Pl-
citic coass., and so the decrease was
really light.
Eust Hit the Wheat.
The crop of 1904 was the srnalle st
for many years, due to damage by
rust. In ordinary seasons the north
west will continue to produce 30,0Ot.- :
900 to 50,O0O,OOO bushels more than
was raised that season. for years to
come. Eventually the tenden y
towards diversificatton and intensifi I'd
farming will change conditions mater
tally.
Altho the breaking away from wheat
and the turning more to coarse grains
and dairying is feature so marked 'ss
to be noticeable generally-especially y
In southern and southwestern Minne-
sofa and in the Red river valley-it
will probably be at least five years be-
fore it begins to have effect upon total
Yield. New land is being opened 20
wheat in measure to offset that given
over to other uses. This is especial Y
true of western North Dakota. From
Bismarck to Dickinson many little val
leys now have their wheat patches, ard
long the Heart river considerable IS
now produced Wheat, both spring ar d
durum, is now raised twenty miles
south of Mandan on land once thought
to be barren.
Consideration Of the effect of a de-
creasing northwest acreage may be dis
missed, the grain trade feels, for at
least five years. How the thing will
have shaped itself by that time cannot
be foretold. The Canadian northwest
u i'll have it's influence. The acreage in
The three states will be affected in
sonae degree by prices, but practically
it will stand unchanged.
The one feature of most importance
is the variation in yield per acre. Fer
several years the yields have been
found less dependable. Climatic con-
ditions and the presence Of parasitic
or other inimical influences make pre-
6iction wholly impossible as to produe :
tion. but as to the total acreage sown
to wheat. 1t appears almost certain that
there will he no decrease of importance
for some years to come.