REPORT OF THE STATISTICIAN. 



191 



ing grades below average spring extras. These bagged flours are 

 mostly sent to Scotland and the north of England, where they meet 

 a popular prejudice in favor of flour put up in this way. The quality 

 of the flour made from the crop of 1875 was unsatisfactory, and 

 especially destitute in keepiug qualities. Hence there was no disposi- 

 tion to accumulate stocks. This kept the market steady in small trans- 

 actions to meet current wants. The mixture of old wheat with new 

 caused some prejudice against the crop of 1876, but its superiority soon 

 became apparent. Kansas flour declined in receipts ; its dark color over- 

 balanced its other good qualities, and the demand became restricted. 

 Nebraska mills have gained some reputation by samples already afforded, 

 and an increasing trade in their flour is anticipated. The Department 

 record of prices, compiled at the beginning of each month, shows that 

 choice winter extras ranged from $8.50 to $7.87 per barrel during the 

 year; patent springs, from $G to $9 ; spring superfines, from $2.50 to $4. 

 The maximum prices were in the early summer. The average price for 

 the year for shipping extras was $4.75, against $4.92^ in 1875 and $5 in 

 1874. Minnesota flour of all grades averaged about $5.75. 



WJieat.—The wheat trade fell oft' greatly in 1876 ; receipts, 16,574,058 

 bushels^ a decline from 1875 of 7,632,312 bushels, or over 31 per cent. ; 

 shipments 14,361,950 bushels, a decline of 8,822,399, or 38 per cent. 

 Prominent among the reasons of this diminished trade was the poor 

 quality of the crop of 1875, together with the small demand for low 

 grades, which constituted the greater portion of that crop. The close 

 inspection which thus classified the crop was considered remarkably 

 strict and deterred many shippers from passing their grain through this 

 market by the fear that it would not meet the requirements of the board 

 of trade. Yet, strict as it was, a large quantity of wheat graded as No. 

 2 was defective in the keeping qualities required for this grade, and 

 injured the reputation of the market by heating in the bin. A combi- 

 nation was also formed for the shipment of the low grade wheats, repre- 

 senting them as equal to Chicago No. 2, but their deficiency in keeping 

 qualities prevented their export to Europe, and they lay in New York 

 magazines, slowly worked off to meet the demands of local consump- 

 tion. This combination, though short lived and ending in serious dis- 

 aster to all its participants, succeeded in injuring greatly the reputation 

 of Chicago wheat. The market dragged heavily through the spring, 

 and prices went down in consequence of exaggerated reports of the 

 poor condition of the crop of 1875. Another combination during the 

 summer quietly cornered the wheat-market and succeeded in bearing 

 prices to a very low point, just in time to take advantage of a rise caused 

 by threatening aspects of the Turkish question. A lack of transporta- 

 tion facilities eastward by rail was severely felt by shippers during the 

 summer and fall. These are some of the causes alleged for the dimin- 

 ished wheat movement at this point. The following table shows the 

 annual and monthly range and the average of prices of No. 2 spring- 

 wheat during the year and for the last four years: 



