Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1881 — THE SNOW. [ARTICLE]

THE SNOW.

How nnch Dnmago Has It Done 7 [From Briulstreet.] The extreme severity of the winter and the consequent lateness of the spring opening in the West have necessarily aroused an eager desire to learn definitely the agricultural, trade and transportation situation in the regions indicated. In responso to this want of the businoss public, we have obtained dispatches from our correspondents at Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Orandllapids, Indianapolis, Louisville, ChicagOjTeoria, St. Louis, Milwaukee, St Paul, Burlington, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Joseph and Denver. Our correspondents at these centers ure in oonatant communication with trained observers at interior points, who are in contact with the farmers and country merchants. One main quey which has taken possession of the business public is: Has anything occurred in toe West to seriously check business prosperity? From the tenor of our disnatches, the answer unm stakably is, No. While the elements have oonspired to delay the spring trade in the West and Northwest, there is nothing to show that its volume will be less than last year. The trade situation is strongly sustained, as the foundations of prosperity are unaltered, and promise to continue indefinitely. It is apparent . that stocks of goods in the hands of country merchants are very much depleted. This fact put with the knowledge (nut the farming and industrial classes generally are just now abundantly able to purchase, indicate conclusively that both demand and consumption through the spring must be large. Collections have been slow, but it is evident that the banks havo been abundantly able to grant the credits required. While it is yet early to give judgment as to the general condition of winter wneat, it is safe to say, from our advicos, that winter wheat has not been seriously injured. The uncertain quantity as to the wheat situation is the exteut to which spring-wheat sowing will be reduced, owing to the backwardness of the spring. The severe weather has teen seriously felt by tlie railroads iu a large decrease of earnings, owing to the expense attending the clearing of snow and ice from the tracks, and inability to receive and move merchandise promptly, llegardiug live-stock interests, our Denver correspondent telegraphs that the losses on cattlo will be tinder 10 per cent., and that one-fifth of the sheep are gone. This is by no means as bad as has been feared.