THE UNITED STATES AS A WHEAT PRODUCING COUNTRY.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 4, Issue 170, 30 October 1880, Page 3

THE UNITED STATES AS A WHEAT PRODUCING COUNTRY.

A littln over thirty years ago the Spriugliold Republican notes that, grain was imported tu this country from tho Bl.u-k Sea. During the crop year on which the country is just entering, it claims that it is certain that 160,000,000 bushels of wheat will he exported to Europe, and the amount may reach 200,000,000 bushels. The grain is in this country; tho only question is ono of demand. Tho demand lost year from Europe was for 139,000,000 bushels out of a crop estimated at 420,000,000 bushels. The production this year is larger. It. is ono fourth larger in Kansas ; in Minnesota the production this year is 40,000,000 bushels, a largo advance over Lust year; the grain fields of Southern Ohio show an unprecedented yield ; so do those of lowa ; and in Indiana the crop will, in some cases, pay for tho ground on which it stands. The wheat, acreage of the country is put down at 31,000,000 acres, an increase of oue-tiflh in two years. The average yield is placed at twelve bushels an acre; ami the acreage at 31,000.000 acros, by Alexander Dolmnr, who wrote to the Times in the close of July, after a trip through the wheat fields of tho West, ending nt Ogden. The statistician of tho New York Produce Exchange puts the average yield at from 11 to 12 bushels; other more sanguine estimates carry it up to 13 or 1 i bushels an acre. The lowest estimate vet made places the crop at 3(30,000,000, the largest 440,000,000, and a crop of 420,000,000 may be reasonably counted upon. This is an increase in ten years of 133,000,000 bushels in tho annual wheat production of this country, and an increase nearly equal to the total wheat harvest of twenty years ago. Out of this year's ■ harvest, reckoning tho population in this country at 48,500,000 persons, 194,000,000 bushols will be needed for consumption nnd 50,000,000 for seed, in all 244,000,000; leaving, at tho highest estimate, 106,000,000 for export, to which tnav be added 20,000,000 bushels left over "from hist year's crop. Whether the European demand will bo equal to the amount of tho surplus wheat in this country is considered by tho Republican as doubtful. It will unquestionably equal last year's demand, and tho value of the breadstuff-, oxported during the coming year will probably reach 8)50,000,000. and may rise to a higher figure. The unknown quantity in tho wheat supply of the world is Russia. Its harvest has been pronounced far under the average for weeks past, but. recent, advices tell a dilFeront story. At host, however; I nothing more than an averagn surplus j for export is to be expected, not over 50,000.000 bushels ; and, if this is supplemented by the usual European import of 20,000,000 bushols from Ron mania, and 5,000,000 from Canada and Australia, tho total wheat supply which Europe is likely to receive from points outsido of this country may lx> placed at 75,000,000 bushels. The current deficiency in Europe is placed at from 225,000,000 to 275,000,000 bushols. Tho demand in England is cloarly known. It will amount to about 110,000,000 bushels. The demand in France can be less aeou»at«ly estimated. All Northern Africa is. in a state of famine, or is producing barely enough for its own supply, leaving nothing for oxnort. This, cuts off one French isourco of supply in Algeria. Tho crops in Northorn Italy have failed, and Italy is importing grain alroady instead of exporting it, which closes another region from which Franco obtains grain. The potato crop in northern France has generally failed, and the looul food supply all ovenherepublieisdcticiont. It is a low estimate, then, which places tho French demand for wheat at 100,000,000 bushols. The rest of Europe i will probably need 75,000,000 more, but may need less. Tho food supply of a continent is not a thing to be easily

reduced to figures. Moderate estimates, however plate the demand at a larger figure than the probable surplus in this country. It will probably all bo needod, but it Is not likoly that it will be called for at high pries*. This is the present outlook. Very trifling causes may change the existing condition at affairs in favour of high prices. One thing is certain : no crop of wheat over harvested in this country will he carried to market more cheaply, nnd none, therefore, will leave a larger margin of profit in the hands of the fanners.—Scientific American.