RECORD GRAIN CROP

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1937, Page 10

RECORD GRAIN CROP

EXPECTED IN RUSSIA

' Russian crop statistics show that about 196,000,000 acres of grain had been cut by September 5, which was about 1,500,000 more acres tlian had been cut up to the same date of last year and was 87 per cent. of.the total plan, says the "New York Times."

Grain threshed, however, was still 25,000,000 acres behind last year-, despite the fact that combines reaped about 22,000,000 acres more than a year ago. The losses thus caused make it doubtful that the crop will reach the estimated figure of 110,000,000 metric tons, but it doubtless should surpass 100,000,000 or 105,000,000, the all-time Russian records..,

AU grains have done well, with the possible exception of corn, which suffered from damp in July. Some southern provinces have already paid their State grain collections—which is exceptionally soon. Cotton, beets, and sunflower seed all have record crops this year. The crop is expected to total 2,000,000 tons gross, which is a quarter of a.million more than last year.

It can hardly be said that the corresponding increase' in the purchasing power of the peasants will find an adequate outlet in goods of general consumption. The canning industry, especially as. regards fish, fruit, and vegetables, has made considerable progress and it must be remembered that the peasant demand still largely concerns food.

But clothing, shoes, tools, and other products of light industry are still unsatisfactory and recently the Commissar of Light Industry, I. E. Lubimoff, with his chief assistants, I. G. Eremin and N. G. Mishkoff, were removed as incompetent and replaced by V. E. Chestakoff, with assistants Mr. Citioff and Mr. Mllavln.