Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-13
THE WEATHER, THE CROP AND
THE MARKET.

ut Is quite reasonable to anticipate
more seasonable weather after fully
two months of abnormal conditions"
asserts Henry Clews in commenting
upon the effect of the delayed spring
and summer upon market conditions,
and regardless of the extent of our
knowledge of the financial situation
We will agree that Mr. Clews is right
and it would be quite reasonable for
summer to open sometime during the
next few months. But in spite of the
backward weather, Mr.. Clews believes
that if we escape late killing frosts
there Is no reason why we should not
be favored with an average yield Of
all the great staples, except possibly
In the case of cotton, which up-to-date
has suffered more severely than any
other agricultural product Discussing
crop conditions and their affect on the
market, Mr.. Clews says:
Let us briefly consider some of the
elements which are interfering with
the revival of confidence Chief among
these must be included the crop sit
uation. Our weather has got upon the
average business mans nerves with
much reason. The season is from two
TO three weeks backward; and tenn
perature has been below the normal,
while rainfall was above the normal.
The result is an unusual degree Of IN
certainty regarding the next harvest.
1t does not appear, however, that the
wheat crop, which last year was val
ued at $490,O00,0OO, has been badly in
jured This important crop is late,
yet condition is generally good, and
u oncf ;oh Ia .&e Is t.,
dictate that with reasonable fair wealth
er dur -ng the balance of the growing
season an average crop may be antic-
ipated
There is really no reason at present
for anticipating any real scarcity If
wheat in the United States or Canada.
The shortage. if any, will be in Eur
ope;.sa contingency that will cause 8
good foreign demand for our surplus at
relatively high prices. This insures
a profitable wheat crop to the Ameri-
can and Canadian farmers, and should
check all present anxiety on that ac-
count. With regard to corn, the situa-
ton is somewhat different. Last year
this crop was valued at $1,167,O00, 00O
Planting has leen much delayed and
many fields have had to be resown.
Experience has proved, however, that
corn can be sown as late as June 10
and a good crop assured by Septem-
Der Is under ordinary weather con-
ditions. 1t is thus quite premature
to be over-anxious about the corn
crop.
The cotton crop, however, which
last year was valued at $640, 600, 900
and is the crop of second Importance,
Is unquestionably in an unsatisfactory
Ii not precarious condition. The June
government report gave the condition
at 70.5, compared with 10-year aver
age of S3.6 per cent. This is an ex-
ceedinsly poor outlook, especially in
view Of the very small increase in
acreage and threatens probable re-
duction in the yield. While good prices
may somewhat compensate the farm
er. real scarcity Of cotton would be
nothing short of calamity to the tex
tile interests of the United States and
other parts Of the world, since these
industries are almost entirely depend
ent upon the United States for their
supply of this staple. Nevertheless,
good weather from now on might give
us an average crop. The hay crop,
which ranks next to cotton, Is in good
condition. Other grains oats and
barley-and the fruit crops, are, of
course, backward, but their prospects
have not been much injured by the
prevailing unfavorable weather ex-
cept In certain localities. Such con-
ditions have impaired cautious feel
ing amongst business men, for the rea-
son that any disaster to the crops
would unquestionably cause very de-
cided setback to business.
Some branches of the retail dry
goods trade have suffered materially
from the backward season. Moreover,
} the feeling spreads that business has
reached the top notch and that a reac-
ton is Inevitable. A few industries,
like the iron and cotton trades, are
still enjoying great activity, but out
side of these there is evidence that
reaction has begun. At the same time
1t is altogether too soon to take dis
couraging views of the crop situation,
especially as our farmers are sure Of
securing very profitable prices.