327] The Condition of the Western Farmer. 



49 



the activity in railroad building in states to the west gave rise 

 to good markets for corn, and quite high prices prevailed. 

 From 1877 to 1883, Chicago was by far the best market for 

 wheat, but since 1883 the local mills have competed with it 

 and absorbed a good share of the crop. Since 1887 it has 

 been necessary to ship most of the grain to eastern markets, 

 or sometimes to the South, and this is especially the case 

 when crops are heavy. While therefore during a great part 

 of the period we are considering the prices obtained for grain 

 have been somewhat better than could be obtained by ship- 

 ments to the eastern markets, yet since 1877 the price of 

 wheat has been to a great extent affected by the net price to 

 be obtained by shipping to Chicago, and since 1887 the Chi- 

 cago prices have had a by no means inconsiderable effect on 

 the selling price of all grains. It is unfortunately impossible 



V. AVERAGE CHICAGO PRICES OF CORN, WHEAT, 

 AND OATS. 1 



1 For fuller tables see " Statistical Information Pertaining to Chi- 

 cago Markets." Howard, Bartels & Co., Chicago. 



