Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1867-11-05
A Remarkable Year for Gain Public and
Private Wealth.

The spring season OF this year was
nearly perfect as seed time. Up to
harvest the weather favored every
pursuit of life, and the harvest was
perfectly we'll ordered for the en-.
eouragement Of all the labor that men
could possibly do, consistent with
health and strength. Perhaps not
above two days were lost during the
harvest on account Of rainy weather,
and there were but few excessively
warm harvest days. For no cause
whatever. except accident, Incidence
or excess, was there any loss of time.
Ard, since the harvest till this very
day on which we write and print
these thoughts, there mas scarcely
been two days of necessary idleness
on account of bad weather. Indeed,
the change from summer to autumn
has been so gradual, each day min
ute shorter and degree cooler, that
the entire approach to the very verge
of winter has been like that of going
into the slumbers of eternity.
Now, as to the profits OF seed
time, harvest and gathering Every
body knows that the millions-how-
ever employed, at whatever trade, or
not employed ut all, must be fed and
clothed out of the profits which rise
out of the earth between spring and
fall; and as the earth gives but little
by spontaneous yield, the whole sup>
port of the millions depends for sup
ply and cheapness upon the labor Of
the farming people.
Of the entire population, one per-
son in FIVE may be employed at field
labor; say that in Grant County, with
a population Of 35 900, there may be
1000 regular agricultural laborers,
and that every man 80 employed
earns Tor himself All income of $500.
per daywhich is a low average.
We further estimate the excess OF
good working days, above average
years, for the spring, summer and fall
OF 1867, at fifty. That is, there has
been clean gain OF fifty working days
to every man employed at farm labor.
Well, fifty days at $500 per day
amounts to 800, or seven hundred
thousand dollars worth of time saved
TO the 1000 farm laborers of Grant
County by the good weather of 1867,
the whole amount being clear profit
to the public and private fortune
Farm labor ought to be estimated at
$500 per day, which embraces about
what worked land produces upon an
average above wear and tear, inter
est and taxes.
IN harvest time the saving gain of
good weather is most visible, when
the money laid up for hired labor is
gained by the land owner doing his
own harvesting.
1t is conceded that, what enriches
the private fortune adds to the pub,
llc wealth. AS when A is 800 rich.
or, the whole alphabet is correspond
ing ly enriched. 1t requires q rather
WIDE and liberal comprehension of
things TO be able TO see and especial
~ to admit these conclusions, because
that governing chords elishness, has
constantly educated us in the reverse
idea. 1t is hard for selfish men to see
that they gain by the gains of their
neighbors. They rather hold that
gain TO them means loss TO Others.
We say nothing of the great crops
of 1867 and the promising prices
therefor. These alone will add mil
lions to the real wealth of Graat
County.
The public and private loss on sheep
and wool has been coLsiderable-a re.
suit entire OF the neglect to improve
the grade of sheep At q small outlay
for breeding stock. The loss III this
industrial department may be ouar>
ter of a million dollars by the fall Of
sheep and wool; but the sheep NAV
still be used IS breeding stock for up,
grading.
The finances of 1867 will be salts
factory beyond precedent. Money
will be exceeding pleuty. house.
bui lding, farm improving, road and
railroad building, &c, will 20 forward
with wonderful results.