Evening star., 1925-08-06
SALES TOFARMERS
CROP BAROMETE
Mail Order Business, Based
on 1925 Figures, Indicates
Agriculture Prospering.
BY j. C.. ROYLE.


NEW YORK. August 6.-Who sells
the farmer? Well. the mali order
houses do a good deal in that line.
The larger mail order houses expect
TO do d remarkable amount of bust
ness in September. They figure
August sales will be at about the July
rate, which was excellent. These
facts offer just about as accurate a.
barometer of what the crop situation
of America will be as any possible
Government crop report made at this
time Of year.
The modern merchant who sells the
farmer. either by mail or direct. has
ceased to depend on guess work. Re
ports from sources regarded as reia-
BILE indicate that 1925 will be the best
year for retail trade ever known.
Weather still is a factor which can
not be disregarded. But there seems
evidence to substantiate the claim that
| the wheat grower will make a fine
profit on wheat despite the short crop.
that corn will show a great yield and
make adequate returns whether mar
keted in the kernel or in the form
of live stock and that rye is III
a better world position and is cal
culated to show independent strength.
Wheat Crop Estimates,
Condition of the wheat crop as of
August I, gathered from private
sources. indicates a yield of about
SOS 900, 900 bushels, as compared with
473, 900 900 bushels last year Euro
pean stocks are known to be low.
Canada is fairly sure to have an eX-
celleut crop. but the prospects in the
Dominion are not as bright as they
looked month ago. European crops
are certain to be larger than those OF
last year, but contingencies may force
hIlU
market. American farmers are in ex-
cellent position financially 10 hold
their wheat and market IL at the best
advantage. Many good judges expect
many of the growers to dispose of
their wheat at well above s1.26
bushel
The Government estimate for the
corn crop as of July was 3 3,095. 900 900
bushels. This compares with last
years crop OF 2,437 100000 bushels.
AS of August l, a general average OF
some Of the best expert forecasters
indicates q yield of approximately
3,o35 .00o. 900 bushels. There will be an
extremely scsnt carry-over. and While
this years hog population has been
reduced materially, the high prices
for both hogs and well conditioned
cattle seem likely to provide an ade-
uuate outlet for all the available corn
which can be profitably marketed as
meal. Much depends on the amount
Of rainfall this month, when ears are.
forming.
Eleven States of the Middle West, It
is estimated. are short a total or
$4,000. 900 gallons Of rain per farm
this season, according to the Blue
Valley Creamery Institute, which
makes special study of dairy prod
icts and forage crops. The hay crop
is likely TO be small. Potatoes and
rice. because of short crops or small
carry-overs, are commanding good
prices.
The cotton growers are in no bad
position. The estimate of one OF
the first experts of this country as
Of August l indicates an average con-
dition Of 81 per cent and forecasts
a. yield of 1864 600 bales. Reports
are generally favorable, although
>weevil are reported in every one OF
the big cotton-growing States except
Tennessee.
Some Of the Eastern belt is IN
need of rain. Some parts Of Arkansas
have had too much rain and others
not enough. Parts OF Texas show