Year: 1862

I


Gus letters which speak in strong terms OF
the articles on the market prospects, pub
lisbed in the american Agriculturist du-
ring the past eight or ten months. These
statements voluntarily made, indicate that
this journal has saved to its readers, in
single year, vastly more than it has cost
the country during the whole twenty years
ofits existence. Multtudes speak of hav-
ing realized ten to thirty cents per bushel
more for grain, than they would have re-
ceived, had they not been induced TO with
hold their produce from market at a time
when prices were at the lowest obb, and
when mems minds were filled with fear
ful forebodings. So much for the past.
The object Of many Of the letters referred
TO is, TO draw out some definite prognos-
tication from us for the coming year. But
here we find ourselves very much in the
dark, for the time being. We will, how
ever, offer some general suggestions:


lst. The deficiency in Europe is not
yet supplied, and will not be fully met for
months TO come. In short, if every bush
ell of wheat that can possibly be spared
throughout our country, be gathered up
and sent TO the seaboard before the first
of next June, England and France will
take il all, and ask for more. The for
eign stock of brcadstuffs is rapidly de-
creasing. and we look for very largo or
ders as soon as they can be filled OH the
opening of inland navigation.


I'd. The present indications are, that
after the next harvest the foreign demand
upon us will be very small, if it do not
entirely cease for time. Last Autumn
the season for sowing winter grain was
very fine, both in Great Britain and on
the Continent, and especially in the form
er, and the breadth sown was greatly
above the average. Up to the date of
our latest foreign reports, the winter
weather had, on the whole, been favora-
ble Unless, therefore, the spring wealth
er should chance to turn out very badly,
so much so as to injure the winter grain,
and interfere with the sowing of spring
wheat and other spring grains, we can not
look for much foreign help in our grain
markets after June.


Sd. In this country it is yet TOO soon
to hazard even a guess" as some of
our readers ask us TO do. The breadth
sown last Autumn was not much, if any,
above the average 1t was generally got
into the ground in good condition, howev-
err Thus far the Winter has not been
the most favorable. There has been too
little snow to protect wheat well, and it
has still 10 run the gauntlet Of the warm
days and freezing nights of March and
early April. Wheat will stand the most
intense steady frost far better than the ex-
pansions and contractions Of the wet soil
produced by cold nights and warm days.
The weather from May 1st to harvest,
insects, and dry weather at the time of
gathering, may make half difference in
the yield. All these circumstances taken
into account, we shall hardly look fer
more than an average crop at best. And
moreover, the fact that we had so large n
yield in 1861, is rather against II similar
yield in 1862, judging from the ordinary
course of Nature.


Sd. To counterbalancc, in part, the
expected cessation of foreign demand
VIC shall have the fact that the country
will be entirely drained of old stocks of
grain--probably more so than at any har-
vest for several years past This, of it.
self, will have favorable effect upon
prices, and should the yield turn out be-
low an average, prices will be likely TO
rule high. One practical conclusion to bo
drawn from the above statement is, that
farmers should prepare to SOW large
breadth of spring wheat.


4th Much will depend upon the
course of the war, and the financial poll
cy adopted by Congress. We look for the
termination of the war within a very brief
period. 1t may extend into the Summer,
and perhaps into Autumn, but this is
scarcely probable. The restoration of
peace will be likely to be followed By n
sudden spring in all business operations,
activity in manufactures, and high prices
for all kinds Of farm produce. A col
lapse will, perhaps, or probably, follow,
and it behooves farmers, at least, "to
make hay while the sun shines" If the
country be flooded with large amount
Of Treasury Notes, the price of every
thing will go up in proportion to the rea-
tive amont Of circulating medium. 1t
will be good time for farmers TO pay off
their debts, and to avoid contracting new
ones to be paid at less favorable period.


The most practical advice we can now
give to farmers is, TO prepare for the
largest possible Spring planting and SOW
ing; to save and use all the manure that
can By any means be made available, and
be ready for whatever may come. Do not
be carried away by speculation, however
high the current may run. Continue TO
practice the lessons of economy learned
during the past dark period. Get the
land and store debts paid of. Be con-
tent with present possessions, and not
run into debt for more acres. Look into
and develop the farm lying under that
you now cultivate, which is already yours
ir fee simple.-Am. AgricWtwist, March.