The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-07-11
PREDICTS DECREASE
IN FARM PRODUCTS
EXPERT SAYS WHEAT SUPPLY
FOR EXPORT LIGHT-SH0ULD
AFFECT PRICE

B. w. Snow of Chicago, who is gen.
orally recognized as one of the
worlds leading crop experts, predicts
decreased farm productions during
1928. His report on crop conditions
for the June issue of the Farm Journ-
al is as follows:
q" have no desire to pose as a
prophet of evil times" says Mr..
Snow, but the present combination
of economic and natural conditions
may be read in advance. Evidently
we are in for a year of diminished
farm production, fact which must
be given full consideration in antici-
pating price levels. Naturally, it
does not apply to every single crop
flax and tobacco being conspicuous
exceptions-but farm production as a
whole should show a downward curve
on the chart, and this should mean
an upward curve in the general price
line.
Less Wheat This Year
We find wheat situation that so
far as we are concerned runs some
what parallel to the position of cot
ton. The main difference" continues
the Farm Journal story, :" is that we
nave WOl III competition III Wu6dJ, anu
this will eventually fix our price so
long as we have a surplus for export.
We are going to have less wheat this
year than in recent years, but whether
prices shall fully reflect the shrink
age will finally depend upon what
growers in Argentina, Australia, and
India have to offer
1t is evident, however" says the
Farm Journal correspondent, that so
far as we are concerned (and we
are the biggest factOr) we will have
less wheat to sell The winter
killed acreage is almost if not quite
twice the normal, and the area aban-
doned would be even larger if there
was time and labor available to sub
stitute some other crop. The result
is that the acreage left standing in
cludes a good deal which is so thin,
poor. and ragged that acreage yields
will be reduced, regardless of wea-
her conditions
Spring Wheat Outlook Disappointing
Three months ago." writes Snow.
| pointed out the factors which
would operate to prevent a spring
wheat increase. and a cold and wet
spring has now turned this prospect.
nto positive decrease. The average
decrease, however, is even less seri-
nus than other factors A crop seeded
argely after May l must be so de-
aged in maturing that it will be un-
Usually subjected to black rust and
eat dangers, so that we may reason
bly, expect that the spring wheat
rop this year will be one of dis
ppointment all around
Not Enough Cotton
Based on any acreage which it
ow seems reasonable to hope for.
nd with the season for planting so
roWded both as to labor and time,
o not see how we can hope for any,
nlng better than crop of 12.500000
ales. To get even that maximum we
lust exceed the highest average WELD
the past five years, and that seems
hopeless expectation in view of the
lrther spread of the bOll-Weeyil.
The world used last year about
z,6O0,OOO bales of American cotton,
18th many mills operating on part
me, an amount greater than we have
reduced in either of the last two
ears. Consumption of our cotton
as outrun production, so that at the
nd Of the present. crop year there
Ill be only little more than a mill
on bales left on hand. as against
x and half million in 1921. With
le prospect for another crop below
assumption requirements, the south
an confidently expect a continual
on of high-priced cotton.