The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-21
CROPS AT THEIR BEST
AS BUSINESS DROOPS
L. s. Chamber Of Commerce Re-
ports Startling Contrast
in Conditions.
FINDS MUCH OPTIMISM
Even In Manufacturing See
tons Improvement Is Ex-
pected With Harvest.

WAsHINGroN, July 20.-Agricultural
conditions throughout the country show n
startling contrast to conditions in trans
portation. manufacturing Industries and
mining. according to a report upon funda-
mental conditions sent to-day by the
Chamber OF Commerce OF the United
States to all OF its members. This report
from data gathered independently
throughout tho country discusses funda
mental conditions and not the immediate
state OF business. The report says:
Manufacturing 10 exceedingly quiet
throughout the country Mining Of nearly
all kinds suffers from strikes and lack OF
demand. Lumber interests are feeling the
dearth OF building especially in small
towns and In the country. The railroads.
because of decreasing revenues and in
creasing expenses, lave cut down thei-
forces as far as possible and laid off many
trains in the interest OF economy.
These conditions have naturally bred
much apprehension, conservatism and pcs.
smlsm In districts where these industries
are the principal sources of revenue 20 the
Inhabitants. This IN particularly true In
the middle and New England States and
I'm some OF the large manufacturing CEN
tres Oh inc W est ana south
Against these unfaVorable conditions
the agricultural situation is most en-
Couraging, despite the conditions that
have prevailed more or less extensively In
the spring and summer in widespread
sections. Widely extended rains in the
latter part of June and early In July
have put new phase on affairs
The winter wheat crop will unques-
tionahly be a record breaker and will
probably be not less than $50, 600, 600
lrsshels. against a yield last year OF 523,>
100000 bushels, which In itself was the
largest up TO date Tho promise of the
spring wheat crop is for more than an
average yield.
Oats, while severely hurt in many
sections, will make a normal yield. the
barley crop will probably he the largest
ever raised. Irish potatoes, ono of the
most valuable of the minor crops will
make about = normal yield. Corn. the
most valuable Of all our crops. has shown
a great Improvement during the last two
weeks because OF needed rains There is n
slight decrease in acreage-not over . u
per cent. less than last year-but the out
look at present is for crop above the
average Il AL depends upon the weather
during the remainder Of July.
THE acreage OF cotton il about 2
per cent. less than last year, but cond
tons have shown great Improvement ia
tne laSt thlrty days OWlng u lne lehEtn
OF time and the numerous vicissitudcs OF
weather between now and the harvesting
OF the cotton crop. any estimate as TO It's
final production is merely guesswork.
The tobacco crop probably will be ono
of the smallest IN years owing 10 n most
unfavorable season. The fruit crop prom
ises To be more than norinal--above the
average OF five years,
at Is rather remarkable that in most
sections. even in manufacturing sections
where business conditions are At their
worst. there IL much optimism and gen
eral feeling that with normal crops there
will be very great improvement In all bust
ness matters during the remainder Of this
year"