The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-07-27
FINDS WHEAT
ACREAGEOVER]
i. S. LARGER
Federal Reserve Agent Says
1t Means a Bigger Surplus
For Expectation
DIFFERENT IN N. w.
Significant Changes Seen IN
NOrthwest-COrn and Flax
On The Increase
DIFFERENT IN N. w,

Minneapolis, July 27.-In spite OF
decreased wheat acreage in many
states this year, the net result Is
that wheat acreage is IL million acres
above the pre-war level, or an in
ctease of "a percent, according to the
monthly report Of John H. Rich, fed
eral reserve agent for the Ninth dis
trict, issued today.
AS result, he says, America must
export 25 percent of the crop as COM
pared to Is percent prior to the war.
Discussing this situation Mr.. Rich
says:
"Many of the spring wheat farm
ers in the Northwest, needing the
warning of low prices, made acreage
cuts at planting time this year. When
a comparison IS made between the
wheat acreage of 1928 and the aver
age prevailing =, during the pre-war
years 1909-l3, it appears that Minne-
sofa has about 2 1-3 million acres less
South Dakota Y million acres less,
North Dakota about 1-6 million acres
less, while Montana has about 2h
million acres more. -
"A similar comparison for winter
wheat farmers indicates that acreages
are much greater in certain states
the greatest differences appearing 10
the. following: Kansas, over 3 Ia
millions; Oklahoma, 2 millions; Illi-
nois, nearly l IA millions; Colora-
do, million; Missouri, nearly mil.
lion, and Texas, nearly million.
"For the United States as whole,
the net result of the increases and
decreases in the different states Is a
total of more than IL million acres
above the pre-war level or an in
crease of nearly "a per cent. Some
of this increase should naturally De
expected to be absorbed by the
growth of population in the United
States during the last 10 years, but
such increase has not been far from
S per cent. This excess Of IL million
acres should produce between lao
and It's million bushels, and the in
crease in population should absorb
about 25 million bushels, indicating
that we are now depending more
largely upon the export market than
in pre-war years. 1t is estimated
that in pre-war years we exported 15
per cent. of our crop, whereas today
we must export about 26 per cent.
These facts regarding current pro-
duction and the export movement
have doubtless been discounted by
the trade to such an extent that no
further emphasis needs to be added,
except that it may reasonably be
questioned whether the salient facts
regarding the worlds acreage of
bread grains has become fully known
to the individual producer"
Decrease In Northwest
Mr.. Rich reports, however, that
significant changes in the Northwest
are seen, with an increase in corn
and flax acreage and decrease of
spring wheat, durum wheat and rye.
Mr.. Rich's report says:
"Significant changes are taking
place in the direction followed by
activity in these north
western states. July reports in
dicate increases in corn and flax
acreage and production, and de-
creases in spring wheat, durum
wheat and rye. The reduction in po-
tato acreage is probably contrary q
the long time trend owing to the ey
tremely low prices received last year.
This tendency toward a greater di-'
versity in cereal production in this
district constitutes good beginning
for the readjustment that must bel
made to. bring our production into
harmony with world needs.
"Wheat, rye and flax moved to
market during the month Of July IN
larger volume than year ago and
larger than the ten-year average.
This, coupled with repeated mention
of good prospects for crops in other
parts of the United States and for
eign countries, depressed all grain
prices in the Minneapolis market
during the month. Marketing Of
live stock was heavy only in the case
Of hogs. and calves. A continuation
of the apparent tendency to build up
sheep herds and dairy herds prevent
ed a general decline in all live stock
prices.
Business Increases
"The volume Of general business.
when measured by individual debts,
increased per cent. during the
month Of June. which increase is
fully up to normal for this month ac-
cording to the experience Of the past
four years. 500 Canal tonnage. both
east and west bound, indicates "a
much greater Improvement over last
year. In spite Of this maintenance Of
the volume Of business, business falls
ures continued unchanged, indicating
that price margins have not been
satisfactory for the marginal firms.
Retail sales o. lumber increased,
but department store sales declined.
When comparison il made with nor-
NAL trends for this season, II appears
there has been some recession. Re-
tail stocks, however; both Of lumber
and general mefchandise. have been
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