OCR Text |
Show SHORTAGE OF WHEAT IX RUSSIA A SURPRISE WASHINGTON. Oct. 17. The forclyn crop report of the Department of Agriculture, Agri-culture, which has Just been Issued, says the shortage of tho wheat crop In Russia, reported in tho first uuantltatlvo estlninto of the central statistical committee, was a surprise, and that If the Russian wheat production falls below last year's low level, only France, and possibly Italy, has surpassed materially the harvest of 190G. As both Franco and Italy are Importing Im-porting countries, their larger crops can Increase only indirectly the wheat surplus avallablo for the International market. Tho report adds: "Now that the harvesting In the Northern North-ern hemisphere Is practically completed, Interest Is being diverted southward to j Argentina and Australia, and also to In- I dla. The question of how far these coun- 1 tries enn be expected, six months hence I to supply the dellcloncles of northern harvests will soon become a potent Influence In-fluence on the course of wheat prices. With a moderate Increase reported In the wheat acreage and favorable growth so far. Argentina may possibly produce a larger surplus than last year. The wheat crop of India, on a reduced area. Is described de-scribed as growing well. In spite of general gen-eral lack of rainfall, although In Bengal, on tho contrary, Hoods have caused dam-nge. dam-nge. Australia's conditions aro much less promising. Insufficient rain has not only restricted sowing, but has rotarded plant. Inc." |