Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-27
General Drought Adds
To the Farm Problem
BY HARDEN CoLFAx.

| A major disaster Is threatening the
corn crop, unless widespread rains come
soon. The Weather Bureau Of the De-
partment Of Agriculture reports that
the hot, dry weather has already
caused serious damage to the Spring
| wheat and corn crop.
| Injury to the corn crop in many
sections Is already beyond repair and
there Is premature ripening and shrink
| age in wheat where the showers gave
only temporary relief.
The drought is general over the en-
tire country, according to j. B. Kincer,
chief of the Division of Agricultural
Meteorology. Precipitation has been of
only a local character.
| Winter wheat Is now being threshed
almost to the northern limits of the
belt. In the Pacific Northwest damage
to Spring wheat has been slightly less
| than was feared, but rain Is still seri-
ously needed. The forage crops have
suffered severely, The hay yield has
been almost destroyed. This has re-
ket, where they have brought indif-
ferent prices, owing TO the unexpect-
| edly heavy supply. Cattle are suffer-
ing, not only from lack Of food in the
| pastures and on the ranges, but from
shortage Of water.
4 n II
Members of the Farm Board and
executives of the Department of Agri-
| culture say that these conditions would
seem to indicate an advance in the
price of farm products. They are very
careful. however, to add that at the
present time markets seem to be ignor-
ing the usual influences, owing to the
widespread business depression and the
drop in commodity prices.
1t seems certain that damage to
wheat, both here and in Canada, means
an advance in wheat prices eventually.
The injury dealt to the corn crop also
/ indicates q change in price. This VIII
be more apparent in live stock than
American corn is marketed in the form
of beeef, cattle and hogs. Cotton Is
not yet In critical situation, &C
cording to Government authorities.
Springs which have maintained their
flow in previous dry spells are now
dry and small streams are carrying
only a small amount of water. So far
the lack of water has not been suf-
ficient to curtail materially the supply
of electric current generated by water
power. What it has done, however. is
to stimulate materially the operation
of the auxiliary steam generating
plants. This has meant additional
hauiage of coal by the railroads and
more activity in the bituminous coal
mines.
The electric systems Of the country
are pretty well interconnected, so that
shortage Of power in one section could
be readily overcome by supplies from
connecting lines. But II the drought
continues 1t will have q very distinct
bearing on industrial activities, es-
pecially in the Southeast and in the
Middle Atlantic and New England
States.
While farm purchasing power is en-
dangered to some extent, losses may be
largely made up by the higher level of
quotations for farm products which
seems bound to come. II this Is not the
case, manufacturers may find some of
their markets curtailed. But the
drought unquestionahly has aided the
sales OF some producers. This is espe-
cially. true Of the electrical equipment
industry. Sales Of electric refrigerators
have been remarkably active and there
has been big demand for electric fans
ana labor-saving household devices,
such as washing machines, electric irons
ana vacuum cleaners. There is o con-
stantly growing demand for air-cooling
devices which can be installed In homes
at reasonable cost.
X + y
The sale Of bathing paraphernalia
ana toilet articles has increased per-
ceptibly. The demand for light wearing
apparel is iilsistent ana dispensers OF
bottled beverages, ice cream and soda
fountain dishes are finding business
~ ahe highest pQiut&t hes ever xeash.