The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-04-07
Words Eorthe aeuann.

The agricultural campaign of 1894 opens
under some disadvantages Labor is scarce
and high. About half million of farm la
borers have gone to the army. In this the
agricultural class has exhibited most cred
liable patriotism. In some sections, espec-
tally Of thorough going Union localities,
nearly all the farmers sons of suitable age
have enlisted.
The loss Of this immense Iaboring force is
apparent when the fact is given that it is
equivalent to about 500, 0OO,O bushels OF
corn per annum; for single man can tend Is
acres on the average Of the country, though
30 is the assignment to each Iaborer on the
praires.
This diminution of labor is in part sup
! piled by contraband and emigrants, and
largely by the greatly increased application
of machinery. 1t is true that corn is still
cultivated without much increased advan-
tage from this source; but its application
to other productions has supplied the def
cheney Of many laborers. 1t, therefore, would
well become the farmers to consider it pat
riotic duty to bring all the force possible
into the field. This patriotism is rendered
especially agreeable from the fact that bet
ter prospect for profit never was presented to
the 'kings of the soil" We would suggest
that the sturdy daughters of the the farmers
would lose no caste or health by contributing
what they can to farm labor during the. conn
ing season. We also suggest that those
sons who are at the academy or college be
called home till after harvest at least. They
need not dislike to lose the half year in their
regular course, because the health Of half of
them absolutely requires it, and they would
live ten years longer for it, and also let it
be remembered that most Of them are und er
twenty years of age and any time this side
of twenty-eight is early enough to complete
ones education. The best period for study
is between twenty-five and thirty-fve years
Of age. In full compensation for the high
price of labor are the extraordinary prices of
most productions Corn, oats and potatoes
have commanded more than double the usu-
al rates, and all kinds of stock bring prices
hitherto unknown. The farmer cannot miss
in planting anything for which his soil is
best adapted, White beans are profitable
and there plenty of land that will yied more
of this than of any other crop. Onions are
much needed i'll the army. Hay commands
an enormous price, though in view Of the
probable speedy close of the rebellion we
would not recommend an increase of mead
ows Sorghum yields net profit per acre
Of from $50 to 500. III
The close of the war; Some farmers may
exclaim. VIII not that event bring gen
eral collapse Of prices, and our productions
at high cost be drug in the market at any
price? Have no fear ON that score. What
if the war close on the 4th Of July? The
next excitement will be the rush of business
and speculation to the South, and in conse-
quence of the speedy uplifting of all depart
ment Of business and industry over SO vast
an extent Of hitherto neglected and slavery
cursed country, the prices of all agricultu-
raj productions will continue good for five
yeast at least.
Cotton and sugar will occupy the atten-
tion of the farmers until it shall cease to be
more profitable than wheat, corn and stock
There need be no fear, therefore. about pri-
ces for half Il decade to come. So, we say
to the young and old, male and female, pillow
early, plow late, pillow deep and produce
some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred
/ fold" Agriculture is at the bottom of all
/ business, and the condition of the country
after the war will depend chiefly upon the
farmers.