The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-02-28
For the Massachusetts Spy. |

VOOLteh Home Market,
Mr.. Editor-It is frequently said that the
establishment and support Of our mannfacto.
rlts is very important to agriculture, because
they create home market for the produce Of
our own soil. An estimate has recently been
published In the newspapers, Git appeared,
believe, originally in the Spy,) which supPoses
that the amount of capital invested>in the
manufacturing Of wool, in ew-Engl land, is
fifty millions of dollars that third of the
agricultural population of New Eng land de-
rive their support from the market made by
these establishments, and that they consume
about one-third part Of the surplus produce Of
New-England. Now, without attempting to
controvett, in detail, the calculation by which
this result is made out, it appears to me that
little reflection will suffice to show that it is
very erroneous. The amount Of capital in
vested IN cotton manufactures is, believe,
generally estimated at more than double the
amount invested in woollen manufactorcs-
IL follows then that these establishments give
support to our Uh0te agricultural popuIaf1on.
aud that they make a market for all our sur
plus produce. We have, however, many me-
chanics, smiths, masons, carpenters, shoemak-
ers, NC. besides professional men and ner
chants, constituting, probably, much larger
portion OF our population than the rnanulac-
turers, who live upon this produce, and we
STILL export large quantity. These facts and
considerations seem to show that this estimate
must be very wide Of the truth.
Again, u this home market be really .s inn
portant as II is represented to be, its benefits
must tie perceived in lis practical ELECTS
Our duties have bt en- greatly augmented, and
our home market has increased very rapidly
during the last ten years. Has there been q
corresponding improvement in the prices Of
prod"re! De beef and pork bring higher
prices! Can the farmer afford to pay higher
rent Tor land? The natural effect of an in
crease Of population, in a new country, is to
enhance the value Of land. Has the value of
land Increased in proportion to the increase of
our population? do not know what the
TACT may be in the country, but in Boston
there has been great falling off in the value
OF real estate. What has been the fact in re-
lation to produce? On referring to prices cur
rent from 1878 TO 1926, both included, and
taking the month of November in each year.
md beef quoted as follows, viz In 1918.
mess oeet, SIS, No. |, $l4; 1919, mess. S12
No. l, $40; 1890, mess, $40: so; 1921, mess
SlO; 1879, mess, SO; 1928, mess. 81: 80.
1925, mess, $40; and in 1926, mess. 90
Thus we perceive that, while duties have
been augmented, and our home market has
been growing, the price of beef has declined
from SIS to So. The reduction in the price off
beet, probably presents a more unfayorable
view Of the benefit Of this market, and Of .bp
prohIbltory duty-system. than would be- exhib,
tied by quotation Of the prices of agriculture
al produce generally. have no disposition
10 make an impression not warranted by facts.
MY OBJECT is to direct farmers to the appIica-
ZION OF TINS test-they cannot be deceived in
inns matter-they are competent to decide
from their own recollection and experience.
IL appears TO me that our experience has been
precisely what might naturally have been ev-
pected from the operation of high duties. and
premature or undue multiplication of manu-.
factories.
what good reason can be assigned for ,ba
presumption that our manufacturing establ;ah
ments will have the effect greatly to enh.nr.
the prices Of agricultural products, H.,
wni they have this tendency unless thew tend
to increase consumption? And is the con
sumption OF country increased by cban"o
IN the occupation Of portion of its nonnis
ton! viii there be a greater numhas as
mouths to feed? If the importing merch..
oe forced, by prohibitory duties, to abandon
ms business and become a manufacturer will
ne require larger quantity of the farmer,s
produce for the support Of his family? Iffar.
mers only are converted to manufacturer. ths
effect will be that there will be fewer prodnc-
ers in the country, and less produce ercynn
consequently there will be less QUANTITY r.,
expectation. Having fewer cultivators ~.
agriculture will receive a check. orr w;iJ
lands Will not be SO soon made prodpct;vo
nor the lands, already cleared, SO well ;mnrov'
60; Is TINS encouragement TO agricultpre,
put what is the natural CONSEQUENCE -
F'culiure, OF the loss of a foreign n,n,ks, =.
our produce! The quantity grown mns' :.
', or It must remain on the hands os
me grover, and there will, of course. he re-.
lu !Ns IN prices. That our own policy, our
ngn, Prohdoitory and protecting duties have
nau ms enect, is. believe, apparent to ali
P'ac'lcai' commercial men, A comparison Of