The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-02-08
WAR AND PROVISIONS.

However much We may regret the fact, the
terrible reali'y,-a general war in Europe, is
inevitable; it virtually exists. In view of this
deporabe result, it is proper that we should ask
ourselves how We are affected by it. The pres
ent extraordinary prices which the products OF
the farmer command in the markets Of The world,
are not entirely prodseed by this general war,
but il may be set down as one, perhaps the lead
inr cause Of the sudden and astonishing advance
in The products of the farm. Other causes how
ever, have their influence, and so long we
are indi,ing this article for the bcne6t Of the
farmer, it is proper that we should refer to them
One cause may be found in the general failure
Of the crops all over Europe, Russia and Poland
excepted. England, France and Italy have
been especially unfortunate. In the two latter
countries the custom duties have been taken oil
for the importation OF grain and within eight
months in England the price Of wheat has adj
vanced from % shilngs to 40 shillincs per
quarter. Much speculation has prevailed among
the different parties in France opposed to the
present administration Of affairs, as to the prob.
able fate of the present government under the
pressure of exhausted granares. Many believe,
or affect to believe that the great scarcity in the
grain market and the extraordinary high price
Of breads,uffs, will be fruitful cause for revo.
luton and the overthrow of the presen. govern
ment. However correct, or erroneous these
speculations may be, the fact that there is a
great falling off in the grain producing of France
and the continent Of Europe, is notorious and
should not be lest sight Of by the farmers OF this
country.
An other cause for the present advanced
prices may be found, in the gradually increasing
demand for consumption in this country. This
we can readily account for, when we look
abroad over the land and witness the large num-
Der of public Improvements in process Of con-
struction and the immense number of laborers
upon them, requiring large and regular sup.
plies. This last cause has much, and prob
ably more to do with the present advanced rates
for produce, than the mass Of the people dream
of. And it may be regarded as reliable securi,
ty to the farmer for better prices in time to come,
than in time past Assuming this ground to be
correct, and that the war in Europe cannot ter.
inmate for some time to come, what ought to be
the course of our farmers. II should stimulate
them to redouble their exertions, to employ
every energy and facility for increasing the
scope Of their labors and rendering more fertile
and productive every foot Of land they possess.
A most glorious era has dawned upon them !;
the advance in grain has given an additional and
remunerating value to their pork, beef, vegeta
bles, a"d indeed everything that the farm pro-
duces. The advanced price of bread stuffs
places it out of the power of many to make it
the chief article Of diet, and therefore with the
increased demand for vegetables, the prices must
necessarily increase. Potatoes are now worth
| in the New York market $3.50 per Dbl. and
Beans and Peas are quoted from 81 so to $50
per bushcl. Add to these, $500 to $9,1? for
-four, $2,05 to 81. 40 for wheat, corn 81 90 oats
SIS and 81 cents and wi at more fat,ering picture
| should the farmer require to stimulate him to
| renewed exertons. The field is open, the prai.
ries are large, the sell is rich, the climate is de.
lightlul and healthy, industry is sure to meet ta
reward and if the farmers Of Iowa and tn West,
do not reap bountiful harvest of gains for the
next few years, the fault will be their own, az
we'll as the loss