The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-06-13
WHEAT CROP SHOWS UP WELL
Harvest TO Be Late, But With
Good Average

NEW YORK, June 13.-Henry
Clews. in his monthly review of bust
ness, 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 stu
alton. Our weather has got upon the
average business mans nerves and
with much reason. The season is
from two to three weeks backward
and temperature has been below the
normal while rainfall was above the
normal. The result is an unusual de-
gree of uncertainty regarding the next
harvest.
1t does not appear, however, that
the wheat crop, which last year was
valued at 100000, 900, has been badly
injured. This important crop is late,
vet condition is generally good, and
the most reliable reports seem to indi-
cate that with reasonably fair weather
during the balance Of the growing sea-
son an average crop may be anti
cipated There is really no reason at
present for anticipating any scarcity
of wheat in the United States or Can
ada. The shortage, if any, will be in
Europe; a contingency that will cause
a good foreign demand for our sur
plus at relatively high prices. This
insures profitable wheat crop to the
American and Canadian farmers, and
should check all present anxiety on
that account.
With regard to corn, the situation is
somewhat different. Last year this
crop was valued at $1,167, 100000.
Planting has been 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 September
Is under ordinary weather conditions
It is thus quite premature to be over
anxious about the corn crop.
The cotton crop, however, which
last year was valued at $640,000,0OO
and is unquestionably in an unsatis-
factory. if not precarfOus condition.
The June government report gave the
condition at 70.5, compared with 10
year average Of S3.6 per cent. This is
an exceedingly poor outlook, especial
ly in view of the small increase in
acreage, and threatens a probable re-
duction in the yield. While good prices
may somewhat compensate the farm
er. a real scarcity of cotton would be
nothing short of a calamity to the
textile. interests of the United States
and other parts Of the world, since
these industries are almost entirely
dependent upon the United States for
hot of thic r,1a NaVarfhP-
less good weather from now on might
give US fully 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 I'M
favorable weather except in certain
localities. Such conditions have i'm
parted a cautious feeling among
business men, for the reason that any
disaster to the crops would unques
tionab bly, cause a decided setback to
business.
Some branches of the retail dry
goods trade have suffered materially
from the backward season. Moreover,
;he feeling spreads that business has
reached the top notch and that a re-
action 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 it is altogether too
soon to take discouraging views of
the crop situation, especially as our
farmers are sure Of securing profit
able prices. 1t is quite reasonable to
anticipate more seasonable weather
conditions. and should we escape early
frosts there is no reason yet 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.