The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1916-08-12
LOSS IN NORTHWEST WHEAT CROP
HEAVIER THAN PREVIOUSLY
ESTIMATED
World Output Much Less than in 1915

According to some financial writer's, the
Northwest wheat crop has suffered the
greatest calamity in the history of the
country They declare that conditions are
far worse than in the famous black-rust
year Of 1904 This will no doubt result
in consequent soaring Of prices.
The damage is widespread, covering
the important belts Of the Dakotas and
most Of Minnesota. In one month it has
been without precedent, and is still spread
ing in some sections. 1t is claimed that
skeptics who have gone to the Northwest
to see for themselves have been the most
radical in their reports.
Early thrashings show extremely small
yields, and in the three chief states the
loss is now placed at fifty to sixty per
cent, instead of the twenty-fv per cent
loss reckoned two weeks ago.
Canadian conditions are said to be grow
ing worse rapidly, with big losses in
Manitoba and damage spreading in Sas
katchewan Fear Of early frosts also is a
big factor, as the crop is unusually late.
Because of the fact that all belligerent
countries in Europe are suffering more. or
less from the food problem, anxious eyes
are cast toward the coming harvest. In
Great Britain it is said that the question
is one Of price, rather than quantity, as
the rise in cost has been phenomenal.
Since the beginning Of the war, the COM
bined increase in the price of eatables in
cities Of Great Britain Of over $4,000 in
habitants has amounted to sixty-two per
cent, and, in the entire country, to fifty
nine per cent.
AS to the real situation in Germany, it
is hard to determine, as reports declare,
one day, that the people are starving, and
the next, that there is an ample supply of
food-stuffs. However, the Hamburger
Fremdenblatt, one of the most reliable
journals in that country, has this to say
eff the current year were again to bring
bad harvest, which God forbid, we
should have to accept that also and en-
deavor to put up with it. We must not
make the farmers responsible. Let us
always bear that in mind"
Another leading German publication,
after commenting upon the fabulous prices
Of horses, breeding cattle, mich cattle,
and other domestic animals, says:
~Jo Lob So 10
plorable, Agriculturists have to have re-
course to the help of prisoners of war
Should this not be forthcoming, as is fire.
quently the case, agriculture can only be
partially carried on, and then only with
the greatest difficulty"
According to the Amsterdam Algemeen
Handelsblad, each of the allied countries
expects smaller wheat harvest this year,
while the falling off in the output of the
central powers will amount to thirty-fv
per cent.
The devastated countries, such as Po-
land, Serbia, and Belgium, are expected to
produce but one-fourth the yield Of last
year.
The report Of the international Insti-
tute of Agriculture, published recently at
Rome, Italy, showing an estimate of the
experts Of that great scientific body, de-
clares that, although the worlds wheat
harvest is by no means up to last years
standard, it is better than the average for
the years 1909 and 1913. They estimate
that the total wheat crop of 1916 in the
seven most important countries will be
1,387,785,000 bus h Is, or 268, 100000
bushels less than last year, and that the
United States crop is twenty-five per cent
less than in 1915