WHEAT GROWING IN DAKOTA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 57, 27 October 1880, Page 4

WHEAT GROWING IN DAKOTA.

How entirely undetermined the cost of transporting wheat from Red Eiver of the North, in Dakota, to Liverpool/ now is, will be seen by the following statement: — The distance may be divided substantially as follows in round figures : — Miles. From Dakota to Chicago ... 650 to 900 From Chicago to New York or Boston 950 to 1,000 Boston or New York to Liverpool, about 3,000 Within a year the rates of freight between Chicago and the seaboard have varied from 3 dol. to 7 dol. per ton of two thousand pounds. Fr,ora the seaboard to Liverpool, from 3d to Bid per bushel, or from 2 dol. to 5 dot. 66 cents per ton. The rate of freight from Dakota to New York has been from 14 dol. to 16| dol. per ton. It will thus appear thaUhe charge on the railroad beyond for an average of about seven hundred miles has been 9 dol. to 10 dol. per ton ;" therefore, if' the traffic this side of Chicago can be carried on at the price of the last year or two, there is a margin for reduction on the distance beyond Chicago to Dakota of 4 dol. to 5 dol. per ton whenever the service in that direction is consolidated and worked so effectively on that side of Chicago as ft is on this side. On the whole, it may be said that the charge for moving wheat from the Red River of the North to Liverpool has varied during the past season from 17 dol. to 22 dol. per ton of two thousand pounds, and that there is reason to expect such improvement that the average will be 16 dol. to 20 do]., or 48 cents to 60 cents per bushel. Whatever the wheat brings in Liverpool above this charge and the charge fur commissions, insurance, and incidental expenses, constitutes the remuneration of the wheat-manufacturer of Dakota. The figures are sufficently accurate for an approximate estimate, and the wheat cultivation of Dakota increases rapidly under these conditions. Land in Dakota will average threequarters, or twenty-four bushels of wheat per acre in a fair season. The product of an acre can be landed in Liverpool or London at 50 cents, or 2s {)er bushel now, and prospectively for ess, or £2 8s for the cost of transportation per acre. £ b. The average return per acre of English, wheat laud in. Dakota, for the lost six \eata appears to have Tbeen 7 4 Deduct cost of transportation from Dakota 2 8 £A 16 Deduct for insurance and other charges, say about six per cent ... 0 6 Remainder £A 10 A trifle over ,90 cents per bushel as the ample renumeration of the farmer in Dakota or elsewhere. Although all the elements of the problem are thus undetermined, one proposition may be stated' dogmalically ; to wit, that there are many parts of this 'coiintry where wheat will be raised iv increasing quantities at and above 50 cents per bushel, and whence it can be carried to Liverpool at 50 cents per bushel, or less, and landed at i>l 14s per quarter. — July number Fortnightly Eeview.