DROUGHT HAVOC

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1930, Page 11

DROUGHT HAVOC

FOREST FIRES RAGING DAMAGE IN UNITED STATES FOOD PRICES INCREASING THE SUPPLIES DIMINISHING By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Washington, Aug. 12. Minnesota, Wisconsin and. Michigan were to-day added to. the States in which serious forest fires are raging. The province of Saskatchewan (Canada) has also reported fires which are out. of control. Another agricultural product which is seriously affected by drought is butter, tho production of which has been gradually decreasing since June 1, and the price cf which has risen five cents since July 1. Bran, which is being used as stock feed, has risen six dollars per ton. Cleveland has reported an increase of a cent per quart in milk. Vegetable prices in New York have increased 20 cents over the week-end, with diminished supplies from eastern sources and the necessity for western and southern importations. An interesting twist has been given to the drought situation by reports i'rom Utah and Florida indicating considerable damage from floods, particularly in the latter State, where the overflow of the Okeecheebee Lake destroyed many crops. An announcement by President Hoover that he feared a greater loss of crops than seven pel’ cent., as predicted by the Agricultural Department, and a three cent increase in the price of maize on tho Chicago market to a. dollar per bushel for December deliveries were the highlights of the national drought situation to-day. EFFORTS OF THE PRESIDENT. The President stated that he was cancelling his holiday plans to remain at tho centre of relief activities. He has given special attention to tho problem created by the diminution of 690,000,000 bushels of the maize crop, which is the staple of stock feeding, and the immediate shortage of food in Kentucky and Tennessee, where conditions are believed to bo most serious. On Thursday and Friday President Hoover will confer with the State Governors and farm organisation representatives on these and kindred problems. The situation on the New Y’ork stock market quickly reflected the unfavourable reports to-day from tho drought areas, many feeling serious pressure and Sears, Roebuck and Montgomery Ward, great retail trading houses, reaching new low levels.

Philadelphia farmers, in addition to being stricken by heat and drought, toda\ suffered heavy losses from a frost which struck other sections of the country and have been relieved of the suffering from heat'with the autumn-like weather, but the weather bureau expects no rainfall and further frosts are feared. Mr. Alfred Thom, counsel for the Association of Railroad Executives, after a call at the White House announced that a 50 per cent, reduction will be made by the eastern railways on hay, feed and water for live stock for the duration of the drought emergency. He expressed confidence that the western railways would act similarly. Mr. AV. F. Callander, chairman of the Agricultural Department, reporting to the bureau stated that the loss from drought place in bushels and tons in the department’s report yesterday could not fairly be estimated in money. He explained that the loss of corn, flax and potatoes would be 735,720,000 dollars, based on the current market price, but pointed out that these prices had been forced up by the drought. Ine Government is attempting to guard against profiteering, but it is predicted that the advance in food prices will continue for months. The destruction of fruits and vegetables has already resulted in an advance of tinned products, while fresh fruits and green vegetables are coming to market in poor condition and at increased prices. Poultry prices are higher, and it is expected that the full effects of the drought will not bo felt for some ime.

It ,'s announced that the condition of Canadian spring -wheat is 85 per cent, normal, indicating a yield of 350,000,900 bushels as against 276,000,000 last year.