Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-06-17
ROW, ED1roE AND PROPRIETOR.
CLEARFIELD, PA, JUNE II, 1857.
THE HIGH PRICE oF LIVING.

Our city cotemporaFieS are complaining
much of the greatly enhanced cost of aitt
necessaries of life. Meats, vegetables, bread,
coffee. and sugar. are all at most extravagant
prices, and it is difficult for the laboring man
to supply the wants of his family IRON the wa
ees he earns. Here, in Clearfeld, we feel 1t
as sengihlr as it is possible to be felt anywhere
In reply to an inquiry, a few days since, as to
the price of -four, We were told that sellers
asked sseleven dollars a barrel, or five dollars
and half hundred We have been watch
ing the market reports, and nowhere has Hour
reached such enormous prices as with u.s. In
New York. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it
has been selling at from 81 TO $3.50, as per
quality. We incline to tire belief that the un-
usual heighth OF prices is owing in great de-
gree to speculation in produce, for we do not
think there is any scarcity. In the western
States there is plenty of grain and flour; but
there is constant croaking kept up by opera
tors, who represent that there is great def
cheney of the old stock of grain, and poor
prospect for good crops this season We OBJ
serve however, that there has been decline
in the prices of flour at Pittsburgh, and that
ilSir ICutcICN Is StiiI uONuNdIu. MS II o"-
ing, in all probability, to the favorable reports
from the grain-growing districts of Indiana,
Kentucky, Tennessee, &c.
Whilst we are on the subject, we may as
well remark that too little attention is paid to
Agriculture in Clearfield county. The lum-
bering business seems to have almost entirely
superseded it. There is not near enough grain
raised in this county to supply the home de-
manti, perhaps not over one-half. Consequent
" in a season like the present, when the sup
ply is cut short by the failure, to great ex
tent, of the crops the previous year. large
portion of the money brought to the county is
Immediately carried out again TO purchase
breadstuffs. This, in connection with selling
much of the lumber on credit, is well caicuIa-
ted to cause sshard times here and unless a
fair proportion of our population engage in
farming, and manage to raise as much grain as
will feed the whole, we may reasonably ex-
pect continuance of the same. Good grain
can be raised in this county, if ii is properly
cultivated, and remunerate the farmer well,
for it is certain that those who have turned
their attention exclusively to their farms, have
become wealthy. The plowing is entirely too
shallow to either produce superior quality of
grain, or protect it from freezing i'll the win
ter. Recently, during a conversation with
respectable farmer on this subject, he told us
that he plOwed deeper than his neighbors, and
that he invariably had better crops-and upon
inquiry We ascertained that he plowed about sir
inches deep. If he will double the depth of
his plowing, we will venture to predict that in
a few years he viii raise good wheat as can
be raised in Pennsylvania. We should like to
see our citizens awakened to proper appreci
alton of the Importance of promoting agricul-
ture in county, and adopt some measures
TO induce persons to engage in that pursuit.