The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-14
p,o,pec,, Of American Farmer. for 1855.

Prospects Of American Farmers for 1855.
There never has been brighter prospect
opened for any class of citizens than looms
up before the farmers of the United States
for the coming, and probably many success
siye seasons. Three of the leading CONNER
cial nations of Europe, and fourtli-a Sec
ond rate power-cmbracing over 100000
900 pcopic, are engaged in mortal combat,
striving by every possible means, to reduce
the products and resources Of each other,
and render them unavailing for the their
own use or that Of a continent, that has
hitherto supplied no uncomfortable share of
the European demand for wheat and other
brcadstuiis. The immcasurably extended
and fertile plains Of Austria and southern
Russia are Theoretically sealed against the
export Of single cargo of the staff of life,
and they may thus remain to the close Of
the present European war. In addition to
the comprehensive hostitics that now pre-
vail abroad, Austria assumes the attitude of
sthc fretful porcupinc." She stands brist-
ling with $50, 900 sabrcs and bayOnets and
on the dawn of spring it would not be sur
prising to find all Europe marshallcd on one
side or the other of this hostile fray.
1t is inevitable, in the withdrawal Of the
cultivation of the soil, which these opera
tons insure that every article Of cOnsump-
ton must continue at very high prices, if
they do not exceed the present cxorbitant
rates. Almost every catable, flesh, grain,
and vegetables, are worth nearly double
their average rates, and this, too, when man.
ufactured and other articles Of necessity arc
unusually chc,r, and probably below their
customary value. Thus while the farmer is
getting twice as much for his crops as he
has been accustomed to, he is paying less for
every necessary article required for his con-
sumption.
Labor is the only exception to the advan-
tagcs the farmer has now in his hands, and
this he may reduce to the most inconsidcra-
bic point, by the introduction and use Of the
many labor saving machines, invented and
perfected within these late years for his cs-
pccial benefit.
lie may now pillow and harrow with vast
ly better implements; he may plant his
corn and other seeds or sow his grain, with
the most perfect and accurate sced-sowers !;
he may cultivate his crops with implements
adapted to every conceivable purpose he
may cut his grass with moving machine,
and his grain with a reaper, and rake both
with revolving rake he may thrcsh and
wnnow his grain and shell his corn by ma.
.chinery; all these and innumerable other
operations about his farm he may accomplish
by horse or steam power, with slight su-
perintendcnce, and aid of human intellect
and labor; thus placing it in his power to
become, in great degree, independent Of
increased wages Let no man complain,
then, of high-priccd labor till he has first
supplied himself with every labor saving
machine he can possibly use with advantage
on his farm.
But the advantages we predict for our ag-
riculturists can be realized only by the intel
ligcnt and the industrious. If you don't
raise the crops, you will surely not be paid
for them. Set vigorously to work at once,
and prepare your field as soon as the frost
will permit provide your manurcs and if
you have not enough already to give an am.
pie dressing to all your cultivated acres, pro-
cure them elsewhere; ashes, plaster, bone
dust, superphosphate of lime, and whatever
your own experience or that Of your neigh.
Dor indicates as best suited to your proposed
crops, and which can be readily procured I;
get the best seeds and the best implements
to be had; adopt the most judicious system
of cultivation; and put every idle hand you
have about you to the plow and the active
labors of the farm, and our word for it you
will have no cause to complain of the occu-
patton, or the times for any lack of success
you will encounter.
Farmers Of the United States. You have
the most honorable calling that ever engaged
class in any nation, ancient or modern
you have now an opportunity Of making it
the most lucrativc-it will be your own fault
it. You do not improve it. DO not, with the
foolish expectation of seeing your sons or
dependents succeed better elsewhere, drive
or allow them to be drawn away to other
more promising (but only promising pur.
suits, mercantile, professional, or otherwise
Attach them to your own honorable calling,
and let them mpart to it whatever they can
bring to its aid of intellect snd muscular Wig
or, and you will be literally rewarded in
their certain and abundant success.
Our granaries, and those of Europe, IRE
now so much exhausted that there is no dan.
ger OF filling them to rcpletion for two years
10 come, even if Il universal peace were pro-
claimed to.morrow.-American Agricultur.
It