Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1920-10-16
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....,s...1Q|l,H HIGH Prices
Record Breaking Yields Shown
In Harvest Forecast
MOST CROPS INCREASE
Best Year Since 1912, Experts Say
Wheat Disappointing, But 9th
er Products Make Won.
derful Gains.

hington.-AnOther blow at high
prices and the high cost of living was
struck, when the Department of Agri.
culture reported that the miracle
crop of 1920" was an accomplished
fact.
The crop estimates for October / as
made public by the department
showed that the corn crop is a record.
breaker in every particular, with a
yield of 3,216,192,0O0 bushels, an ex-
cess over the best year of history OF
about 100000 bushels. The kafir
crop may also be a record breaker;
the potato crop is far above the aver.
age, and the entire series of crops is
one which is classed as phenomenal
"Only now and then Go we run into
year such as this" said one Of the
experts at the Department. "A some
what similar year was had in 1912
when everything seemed to break
right and assist in wonderful produc
TONS"
The estimates made today, with the
exception Of wheat and one or two
other crops, may be considered virtu
ally as the final production figures
The department stated there might be
some changes, for example in the corn
crop, as some States report all the
corn is not yet matured, but the
changes will be immaterial, it was
added.
The wheat crop for the year is some
what disappointing. Last December ii
was estimated the production would be
e40,987, 900 bushels, but the figures az
Of October showed only 750,64S,O0(
bushels of winter and spring wheat
During the last two or three months
there has been a steady decline in the
wheat condition, due principally tc
rust which developed. Other factors
also contributed to the decline. Dur
ing September the wheat production
dropped off 1887 900 bushels.
During September the corn produc
ton was increased by 2.523, 900 bushels
and potatoes by 2,053,0OO bushels and
sweet potatoes by 100000 bushels
Apples increased by 4,737,000 bushels
while tobacco dropped off by 75,042, O0d
pounds and barley by 3,472,000 bush
els.
The reports to the Department show
also how the increased production as
well as the general economic condi
ton has hit the price condition. With
the exception Of wheat, peaches, rye
and sweet potatoes, the prices being
obtained by the farmer on October
were much less than last year. And
since that date, though the Depart
ment does not note 1t, there has been
a decline in the prices of some Of
these commodities.
Some of the price declines are az
follows: Corn, this year, $1.21 .
bushel, as compared with $1.53;
white potatoes, $1.34 a bushel as com.
pared with $164: all apples, $1.S2 az
compared with Sill, and beans, 1911
as compared with $4.26 bushel. The
wheat price is shown as $2.14 as com
pared with 5000 last year.
Forecasts of production this year OF
the country's principal crops, est.
mated from their condition October !
or at time Of harvest, were announced
as follows:
Spring wheat 218.OO7,OO bushels;
all wheat, 75O,648,0 900 bushels.
Corn, 3,216,192,OO0 bushels, condi
ton 1871.
Apples 34,2S7. 900 barrels; peaches:
A ,523, 900 bushels; kaff1rs, 139, 1903, 900
bushels; peanuts, 39.217,000 bushels;
beans (six states), 9,364,000 bushels.
Oats, 1,444, 1862 900 bushels.
Barley. 1885, 900 bushels.
Buckwheat, 15,532,O00 bushels; con:
dition S5.6.
White potatoes, Ala. 1896, 900 bushels;
condition 82.7.
Sweet potatoes, 103, IT'S, 900 bushels;
ST..
Tobacco, 1.47s, 7Ss,OOo pounds; con.
dition 1873.
Flax, 11,704,000 bushels; condition
62.s.
Rice, 52,29S,000 bushels; condition
88.1.
Sugar beets, $4,000 tons; condi-
ton 1914.