The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, August 17, 1916, Page 18

Here is.part of a crop of potatoes on a North Dakota farm, sent the Leader for publication by Martin Jacobson of Mohall; N. D., proprietor of Wild Wogd farm in the famous Mouse river “loop.” Mr. Jacobson says the spuds ran 350 bushels to the acre. Smallest Wheat 'Cr-op In Years ITH THIS year’s wheat crop in the United States estimated : at about half of last year’s and prices of grain and flour soaring on the exchanges, the country is getting ready to get along on the smal- lest yield since 1911, when only 621;- 338,000 bushels were harvested. The present crop may even,fall under the 1911 figure. Late estimates, taking in- to consideration the last government es- timate and conditions since developed, place this year’s crop at 625,000,000 bushels, but some conservative men claim this figure is too high. . Canada’s crop is-cut down to the same extent as that in the United States and many grain men look for the British government to commandeer the entire yield over the border to feed the armies of the allies, which would mean stiil higher wheat and flour prices. LITTLE AMERICAN WHEAT TO BE SOLD ABROAD The United States will have little or no wheat to sell abroad this year, but the export demand, of course, will large- ly fix the prices at home. Taking the estimate of 625,000,000 bushels for the crop, at least 620,000,000 bushels of it will be needed in the United States, leav- ing only 5,000,000 bushels to export. This figuring is based on the proposition that the country has to have at least 5.3 bushels per capita per year, with 75,- 000,000 bushels required for seed in ad- dition, making a total demand at home 620,000,000 bushels. The minimum home demand in reality is probably much big- ger than that. The exports last year from the United States were about 250,000,000 bushels. The year before about 333,000,000 went abroad, while this year the export margin will be at the most 30,000,000 bushels, if that much. Z The wheat shortage this year has brought about several interesting condi- tions and statements by millers and grain men. The Mgster Baker’ association of the United States last week petitioned congress to place an embargo on all ex- ports of American wheat, with the inten- tion of forcing the competition of the American supply at home entirely and thus keeping. down the price of wheat and bread. Appeals have been made to congressmen and senators, as well as to the federal trade comimssion and depart- ment of justice at Washington, D. C., to be on guard from now on to see that speculators and middlemen do not,exact undue tolls and profits after the crop has passed from the farmers into their hands, so that the burden on the consu- mer will not be too high. The master bakers of the country even predicted bread prices so high as t_o‘be prohibitive for the poor in the l_ng cities. _ But if any such prices prevail it will be because of the mad speculation, for the topmost price that it can be estimatgd the farmer will receive for the crop this _ year would not bring about any such condition. PACIFIC COAST WHEAT . IS COMING EAST Entirely contx:airy to custom, the situa- tion in the country in regard to wheat has caused the Pacific coast quotations to respond to the soaring prices on the Chicago market, keeping pace with' the advances there. The -crop of Washing-- ‘ton, Idaho and Oregon is marketed” at Seattle, Tacoma and Portland. What is sold ‘at these points for mfllmg is ‘ exported and prices are usually governed by the Liverpool-bidding only. But Port- land already is getting demands for ship- ment of Pacific coast wheat eastward and some has already been shipped. This is a most unusual condition, and it looks as though there would be a consi-- derable movement of far western wheat eastward, entirely contrary to precedent. he crop of the three Pacific Northwest states mentioned, while smaller than usual, is not cut down to anywhere near the extent of the crop in the rest of the country and in Canada. It is expected these states will produce 50,000,000 bu- shels and have 10,000,000 bushels car- ried over from last year. These states will therefore supply from 15 to 20 per cent less wheat than they did a year ago, while the crop in the rest of the country is only from 40 to 50 per cent of what.it was last year. = Word from Washington, D. C.,, says that Chairman E. N. Hurley of the federal trade commission has gone to Chicago to keep an eye on the wheat situation. The interstate commerce com- mission also has acted, sending instruc- tions to all railroads in regard to moving the crop. The usual car shortage when the bulk of the crop starts moving is not expected this year, because the.demand for the cars will not be great, due to the small crop, but the commission is not waiting for any shortage to develop be- fore taking steps to avoid it. FLOUR MILLERS SAY. SITUATION IS SERIOUS A. C. Loring, president of the Pills- _bury Flour Mills company of Minneapo- lis, said there is no doubt-that the sup- ply situation is very serious. “Flour prices necessarily will maintain a higher basis,” Loring said. “Econom- ically, the situation will somehow ad- just itself. It would be impossible of course to know what England may do, in view of the fact that we have little or no wheat to sell. I expect the Minneapolis industry will be able to get a wheat sup- ply sufficient to ke€p operating.” John Washburn, president of the ‘Washburn-Crosby company, said: “England might take over the whole Canadian crop. West Canada, with hard spring wheat, would be the natural sup- ply source for the Minneapolis mills, fol- lowing losses in Minnesota and the Dako- tas. We could pay 10 cents a bushel im- port duty, or could mill in bond under the drawback plan, as was done in past seasons of poor quality wheat on our side of the line.” A comparison of total pi‘oduction and prices for the last five years in the Uni- ted Statés follows: . Farm price N. D. Dec. 1 farm price Year Production U. S. -average Dec.1 89 1911 621,338,000 87.4 1912 730,267,000 76.0 69 1913 - 763,380,000 79.9 ° 73 1914 . 891,017,000 - . 986 - 1.01 1915. 1,011,5605,000 92. 87 1916 625,000,000 o The last government estimate for the present crop is dated August 8 and of course deals with conditions of an even earlier date. Since then the rust and wilt, hail and other adverse conditions have got worse and tend to prove that - the government figures -areconsiderably _-too high. The following is a summary of the government estimates: : The heaviest loss ‘was in the - spring N wheat territory, where the condition of the crop declined the month of July from 89 to 63.4. On the basis of the condi- tion . reported August 8 the indicated crop is 199,000,000 bushels, compared with an estimate of 270,000,000 bushels a month earlier and 357,000,000 bushels harvested in 1915. The crop reporting board now places the yield of winter wheat at 455,000,000 bushels, a decline of 200,000,000 bushels as compared with last year’s. This makes the total for all wheat 654,000,000 bushels. Last year the yield of the two aggregated over 1,011,000,000 bushels. SMITH PAPER QUITS The Mountrail County Independent, which has been published in this city for the last two years, suspended publication this week, the cause being lack of pa- tronage. George Smith of Plaza was the publisher and owner of the Indepen- dent, while P. J. Schley was the editor and manager. This leaves Stanley with two newspa- pers, which is sufficient for a city of this size. What Mr. Schley’s intentions are for the future we have not yet heard, but he has made a number of friends throughout the city who wish him suc- cess in whatever he may undertake.— MOUNTRAIL PROMOTER. Attend " Button’s Business College, Fargo, N. D., and Pipestone, Minnesota. ‘Deposit your money in the Bank to be paid to us after we place you in a position. Write for catalog. 45-4t *h FARMLOANS Long Term Loans at Low Rates and on Fair Terms in— A COOPERATIVE FARMERS’ INSTITUTION If You Want to Do Business With a Real Farmers’ Loan Agency, Write— THE EQUITY RURAL CREDIT ASSOCGIATION " Herald Building, Fargo, N. D. DON'T WASTE Do you believe in keeping you money at home? Ancient Order United Workmen Issues insurance policies on whole life—20, 15 and 10 year paid up plan. Certificates on these plans ac- cumulate full legal reserves and are entitled to cash loans. Paid up and extended insurance options. The strongest financial institu- tion incorporated under the laws of North Dakota. 2 RESERVE - - - $1,270,000.00 Invested in North Dakota farm loans, public improvements, etc. Address A. 0. U.'W. Home Office Farg_o North Dakota Send For An Expert If more convenient to you we can send an expert out to put your engine in per- fect shape. Write us now, have it done before the rush. Full line of stay bolts, boiler bolts, boiler taps, flues, etc. Fire boxes over- hauled. Architectural iron workers, machinists, and boiler makers. Fargo Foundry Co. FARGO, N. D. founders, Magnetos Repaired "and Overhauled All magnetos need care to prevent extensive ' repairs. Bosch Magnetos Satisfy Always Howard B. Tilden Magneto and Battery Expert 71 Fifth St. N.,, FARGO, N. D. An Offer of Great In- terest — See Page 24 YOUR GRAIN Thousands of dollars worth of North Dakota grain are wasted every year for lack of grain bin capacity. : The Buckeye Bin meets all requirements of this terri- tory. It is built with steel ribs to withstand the grain pressure from within and the wind pressure from without. The easiest bin on the market to erect. All sections inter- changeable, ! Write for special éircular. The Thomas & Armstrong Co. - LONDON, OHIO s Branch Sales Office Fargo, N. D. 917 Broadway : R. A, Parker, Manager. Mention the Leader When Patronizing Advertisers: 5 e SR