New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-09
u. S. Report Indicates
Barely Enough for This
Nations Needs
Harvest Short of
Poor 1916 Yield
Figures Point to the Lowest
Production in Thir-
teen Years

Washington, May S.-The Depart
ment of Agriculture to-day estimated
the winter wheat crop at 366,OOO,OOO
bushels, which would be the smallest
production of winter wheat since l9O4.
The estimate is the lowest on May
since 1888. Winter wheat on April
/ this year was estimated at 10000
900 bushels, but bad weather has fur
ther reduced the prospects.
So. with the world facing a bread
shortage, the United tSates, unless 1t
cuts it's present consumption, prooa-
bly, will produce only enough wheat
this year to supply its own population.
There will be no estimate of spring
wheat acreage until July, but with a
crop of 25O,OOOO0 bushels. which is
higher than the average, this country
would grow this year a total of only
GIG ,OOO.O 900 bushels. The normal Amer
lean consumption, with seed require
ments. is put at slightly more than
6O0,0O0,00O bushels.
Less Than Poor 1916 Crop
The country's greatest spring wheat
crop was 352.OOO.0OO bushels, produced
in 1915. The hve-vear average trc"'
1910 to 1914 Is 234,OOO,OoO. The es-
timated production this year of $685.
600 900 bushels of winter wheat talls
116 600 900 bushels short of last years
poor crop and 08,000,0O0 below that
of 1915. a bumper crop. II is l29,OOO,-
600 bushels less than the average toi
the preceding five years.
Reserve stocks this year are SAID 70
be lower than at any previous time a.
tbis season. The visible supply Is put
now at 80. 600, 900 bushels. with some
what larger invisible stock. The Lowest
visible stocks ever reported in th'
limited States were 100000 on July /
two years ago. When harvesting o.
the new crop begins in July OF TINS
year il is estimated that the reserve
will be even lower than that.
What Allies Will Need
The Allies wheat requirements for
tho coming wear are put at 50O,OOO.OOU
bnsboIe as a minimum. The Uniteo
states will be asked to supply more
tban half that amount. Wheat crops ~
other parts of the world are poor. Inc
Aroentine crop failed and home CON
sumption will require the entire yiea.
Canada,s production is confined chiefly
- a snring crop of normally about 200
900 600 bushels, much OF whlcn Is
available for export.
Since the war started America mas eN,
ported to Europe vast quahIitieSo 300
wbeat reaching high mark OF 35I''
600 0oa bushels in 1915. Last year the
tOtoI fell 10 243.000,000 bushels. BE
fora 80 tho war il ran slightly less thar
100 100000 bushels.
In statement accompanying lVs ne
mort to-day. the Agriculture Depar'
ment declared that although the WIN.
ter wheat crop condition is the poores
on record. crop conditions otnet"'S'
are favorable.
Planting Above Average
"The extent of ploughing and plant
inc done by May" the statement SAID
"was above the average. In l9lZ th'
winter wheat crop fell below 100000,
600 bushels. The lowest since l9O4. Dut
notwithstanding this low production o.
winter wheat. the spring wheat crol
and total production of all crops IN ina
vear were the largest on record.
The department is making every ef
for. to educate the American people tt
a greater use of cornmeal Tor oread
Corn is Americas big crop, but eXcep,
in the South it never has suppIanteo
wheat for bread. Department ofiiclal'
believe America must turn to corn tc
release wheat for shipment abroad II
the Allies are to be fed and Germany
is to be defeated
Nearly one-third of the entire whea'
acreage planted last fall has been aban
doned About 1858 900 acres remain
N be harvested. 12,437.000 acres less
than the acreage planted last fall. anc
176 600 acres less than the acreage
harvested last year. In Iowa 62 pei
cent of the wheat acreage has beer
abandoned.
Wheat quotations for May show
startling increases over the prices fol
the same date last year. The price
went to s3.O4 a bushel. a new worlds
record. in Chicago to-day. The aver
Gge quotation for the country on May
/ was s2.45. as compared with sl.O2 last
wear. In Iowa the May quotation was
$3.50. as compared with 81 cents las,
wear; in Nebraska, s2.57. as compared
with SO cents, and in Kansas S2.6s, as
compared with 81 cents. The highest
ouotation for winter wheat on May
was recorded in Alabama. $2.79, as com
pared with sl.31 year ago.