The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-17
JUNE CROP SCARES

That the season is to sbe no different
from seasons past; and that hope of
escaping the June crop scares was fu-
tile, is now shown by the action Of the
grain markets, responsive to reports
coming in of lack Of rain in winter
wheat territory and damage to crops.
The usual exaggeration Il accompanies
these reports There is dry spot in
Nebraska in speaking of which the
word drought may properly be used,
Kansas, the original trouble-maker this
year, after relief by timely rains, is
again dry, but it would be little
strong to call it drought. The week
ended, however, with no rain relief,
and a forecast for fair weather until
Monday. There is the danger that
when the new week opens drought may
be a more general southwest cry, for
farmers areNeasily sc&Eed and quick to
see the worst when their crops are not
looking well.
The effect Of the dry weather has
been to advance prices for corn and
oats very materially and for hay and
feedstuffs as well. The winter wheat
always gets the first start and this
year was well along before anything
adverse came up. Oats were in posi-
ton to be caught and corn was affected
at once. Some states are already TAX
ing in their harvests of winter wheat,
and new wheat from Texas and Okla,
homa is moving to market. But far.
Their north the crop is not yet mature
and is pulling ahead against conditions
not exactly alarming, yet disturbing
conditions that would give way over
night should good rain blow up. =,
Wall street has feltsthe effect Of this.
Traders tried for "a time to cover up
the news, but the facts appear to be
that while there will be, almost of GER
| tainty, good winter wheat crop, and
chance remains for a bumper crop with
the right weather, the changes of the
past few weeks have been less favor
! able, and continued dry weather will
take the edge off the great promise
Hence there has been pressure on the
stock market, which is only natural fof
stocks were advanced somewhat all
| around earlier in the year on the re-
markedly favorable prospects then
seen. ~-t. :F@. : So .-..... .
| The northwest has escaped all this
and is in splendid condition. The same
weather that is making the Nebraska
farmers and grain men nervous, is
! making glad the. hearts. of the spring
4 wheat raisers Of Minnesota and the
Dakotas, for more favorable general
crop stand than that now visible was
probably never known at a correspond
ing date. s;"s% 2a!!&::z !. .~. RI. =.
| Commercially Minneapolis is just
now in waiting period. Two minor
influences have been working against
increased activity-the recent stcinter'
ference with the operation Of the lum
Der mills by High water and the dull
ness in the Hour trade. Both these are
temporary, and so great is the activity
in other lines that bank clearings have
been running in excess Of last yeal
4 Notwithstanding. There is "a mid-June
4 outlook highly promising for big bust
hess later on. '@5so@ rs 1,,.s ID, ~.
When the spring ewheat comes along
the northwest must Zexpect a run o1
conflicting crop: reports and varying
estimates Of yield, aand a period O
doubt and fear for. the outcome. i
will be satisfaction in such TIM
, to remember that the crop had moisture
in great abundance, and can stant
; much dry weather. This seems to b.
year for dry-weather scares, bu
there need be little anxiety on tina
,. score, respecting the northwest, for
r long time ahead. : .5a 49,. /.
All the country reports are Of conf
! dence in the crops and Of country mel
! chants waiting to stock up and watch
): ing the fields. Every passing wee
Q brings closer the harvest time, and tn
e good things that accompany it.