VOL. LII. No. 2273. 
PRICE, THREE CENTS. 
$ 1.00 PER YEAR. 
NEW YORK, AUGUST 19, 1893. 
WHAT ABOUT HAY PRICES? 
TO SUPPLY THE FOREIGN DEMAND. 
What Are the Real Facts ? 
Many extravagant and misleading statements have 
been made recently regarding the present and pros 
pective prices for hay. The extensive exportation of 
hay to Great Britain and the Continent has drawn at¬ 
tention to this comparatively new outlet for any sur¬ 
plus the American farmer might have on hand, and 
great expectations have been built upon the reported 
information on the hay market, present and prospec¬ 
tive, especially with regard to the export business,” I 
said to Mr. Rickerson. 
“ Well, first as to the supply in the country; I think 
that it will average about the same as last year. In 
Maine and Northern New England there is a good 
crop. Reports vary from other sections. There seems 
to be a belt extending along for pernaps 100 miles 
south of the lakes, through Pennsylvania, Ohio and 
up into Michigan, where the crop generally is good, 
but there are spots here and there where it is poor. 
charges. Some of the other countries which have 
heretofore levied a duty have removed it because they 
are very glad to get the hay.” 
“ I suppose our hay is considered as good as any ?” 
“ No, it isn’t; we can’t cure hay here equal to the 
English, simply on account of the climate. They cure 
their hay so that it is of a bright green color, such as 
we seldom see in American hay. Canada beats us in 
this respect, and sends some excellent hay. The 
American farmers are making better hay than form¬ 
erly; because of the teachings of such papers as The 
UNCLE SAM: “HOW MUCH AM I OFFERED, GENTLEMEN, FOR PRIME AMERICAN HAY ?” Fig. 187. 
high prices which were said to be paid for hay on the 
other side. One paper reported the selling price in 
England at $50 psr ton, and this has been widely 
copied, and has been the cause of many false hopes. 
It has been the custom of The R. N.-Y. to go to head¬ 
quarters for information on such subjects, and to give 
to its readers reliable reports of the true condition of 
affairs, and the probabilities. With this end in view, 
in relation to the hay crop, I called on Mr. Chas. L. 
Rickerson, of the firm of Williams & Rickerson, 52 56 
Harrison Street, one of the largest wholesa e dealers 
in hay and straw in the city. ‘ ‘ I want some reliable 
Probably, on the whole, the supply won’t vary much 
from last year.” 
“ What about the demand abroad for our hay ?” 
“ There is a good demand from the European coun¬ 
tries where the crop is short, but not at the extrava¬ 
gant prices that some have claimed. At present prices 
of hay here, it is not profitable to export it. Probably 
nine-tenths of the hay exported from this port is Can¬ 
adian hay which is sent through here in bond, and 
which doesn’t have to pay import duties in England.” 
“ Is there a duty on hay over there then ?” 
“Not a regular duty perhaps, but certain dock 
R. N.-Y. they are cutting it early, before it becomes 
hard and woody.” 
What the English Market Wants. 
“ What kind of hay is demanded by the European 
markets ? ” 
“ What we grade as No. 3 ; that which is not more 
than one-third clover, but may be natural grasses, 
free from wild or bog grass, but it must be sweet and 
sound, and well baled with three wires.” 
“Any special kind of bales required for that trade ?” 
‘ ‘ Well, we don’t want any of the old-fashioned kind 
