Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-03-09
win the Drouoht DO And Good


suits beneficial to the community.
So il may be with the present
severe drought, and consequent
short crops. 1t will occasion
much suffering perhaps; for the
exorbitant prices ofprovisions viii
render il difficult for the poorer
classes to obtain a sufficient sup
ply Of good and wholesome food.
Its estimated that the deficiency
Itinthe crops thisyear, occasioned
by the drought, will equal in value
two hundred million dollars. 1t
may yet prove, however, that the
current account in relations to the
bad condition Of the corn, and
potatoes, garden vegetables, etc.,
are considerably exaggerated.-
The deficiency may not he so
great asis generally apprehended;
but whatever it may be, it is so
much substracted from thewealth
Of the country; SO much destroy
ed as really as though consumed
by fire. This must seriously affect
the public prosperity; retard, or
even suspend work on some pub
lie improvements; greatly reduce
the activity and value of inland
and foreign commerce and pro-
duce a general curtailment Of
business operation.
But there is no danger OF q
famine. There will be food en-
nough for the home demand; and
the accounts Of abundant crops
in Europe render in probably that
the foreign demand for breadstuffs
this year will be light. The dis
astrous effects Of this almost un-
exampled deficiency Of crops
are easily understood. But may
there not be some compromising
benefits; acme good even out OF
this evil?
The drought, while it destroys
vegetation, destroys also the
innumerable animalcule that In
fest the soil. The weavil, army
worm, the bugs and insects that
from year to year, do so much
damage to crops, will be destroy
ed with the vegetation this year
The animalcule that produces
the potatoe rot must perish in
the parched earth; and the coun.
tless swarms ofinsects that every
year render a large portion Of the
grazing, fruits and vegetable un-
wholesome for food. will be sweep
out Of existence. The soil ant
the atmospheric are becoming
purified as by fire and prepared
for a more healthful and vigorous
vegetable and animal life hereaf
ter. During a series Of produc
tive years these vermin, accuumu
late till the earth and air neet
such publication. The destruc
ton Of the crops with the YER
min, is a great present loss.-
future crops and future health o
the country maybe materially i'm
proved.
Another consequence Of the
deficient harvest can not fail t.
be salutary. 1t will teach
mnch needed lesson Of economy
Extravagence is one Of the grea
evils Of the day. The unexam
pie prosperity Of the country 70
several years past, the influx Q
gold and the increase of wealth
had given people almost bound
less confidence in the future
To economic and and save ha'
become questionable. The gold
en- future, it was thought, woul
take care ofitseli; and the presen
might be enjoyed without stint
The Paris fashions imported, cos
millions. Our surplus produc
tons we're relied on to pay 10
them, without materially dimin
: ishing our supply Of gold.-Bu
when the crops fail, and the gol
begins to flow out in alarmin
quantities to pay for the foreig
goods, one-half Of which wer
} mere luxuries, people begin I
awaken to tho fact that they hav
been living far. to fast. Shor
crops exhorbitant prices for foot
a drain Of specie from the country
, pay for Injuries, win teach econom
and enforce il; and the lessons will NJ
, soon be forgotten. The importation
, Of the next year win probably be on,
half less than last year, yet.the countr
will be sufficiently supplied with good
, II people so win it. they may li'
about as cheap for the next twel,
months as for the last. fotwithstandin
} the still increasing prices Of food
But TODD so the'old coat must be brusl
! ed up and worn a while longer; an
' the silk dress delayed till next year.
Discard all those luxuries, and Il
: solid comforts necessaries of life al
easily obtained by the great mass
the people. II the drought teach'
a and enforces the lessons Of econom,
!, it will greatly improve the state
; society, the morals Of the people; ar