Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-19
A Few Words to the Farmers.

At the request of several farmers in
this vicinity, we last week called a meet
ing to be held in the city council room
next Saturday afternoon. Tho object
of the meeting is to organize Farmers
Club, permanent society, which shall
give the farmers an opportunity to com
pare notes, communicate to each other
their individual views and opinions upon
those questions which are always replete
with interest and information to the far
mers, and of special importance to
them at the present time. Diversity
ing crops. and grain growing. butter ard
cheese making, stock raising, price of
farm labor, and such other matters a.
agitation and discussion may bring forth
will, doubtless. occupy large share of
the time and attention of the club at
these gatherings. We hope much good
may be accomplished by the movement
aud that different order of things may
be the result.
1t is plain fact that no'section of
the country, relying for its resources up
on the raising ard marketing of single
cereal, can have tho assurance of long
continuance of high prices, large crops,
and steady market. Every kind of
produce has its fUctuation. and the far
mer who raises only one kind must take
Lis chances with the ups and downs in
prices, and be at the mercy of an ever
varying market. When we have nothing
but wheat TO sell, our prosperity rests
upon the price OF that grain. If wheat
is high, then money is plenty with us and
the times flush. But single mistake, a
failure of the crops, or reduced price
and down we go-fat, dead-broke.-
There is no elasticity among our farmers.
They do not vary their crops enough
When wheat is low, corn may be high,
and pork.eomms nd fabulous price, but
they have little or none to sell, ana the
wheat must 60 for what it will bring.
The true farmer raises everything his soil
will grow, and the climate will mature.
Wheat oats, barley, rye, corn, buck
wheat. broom corn, potatoes, beans. bat
ter, cheese, eggs, beef, pork, lard, tallow,
poultry, horses, cattle, sheep, wool,
hay and fruit should all be in the list of
his products, and of the greater part of
them he should have some TO SELL
Three or more of those articles always
command a good price. The farmer
can then control the market rather than
the market control him. lie can sell the
products bringing the highest rate, snd
hold back others till the demand gives
the wheel turn and they come to the
top Of the market.
This is the true theory Of farming
Having almost everything to sell and
scarcely anything TO buy has made the
farmer an independent man the world
over. But hero in the West, and in this
section especially, the good old style is
departed from. The farmers run to one
thing and make themselves the mos: in.
dependent class of people living.
There is a reform needed in farming
operations. Wheat is too low to be
profitable TO the farmer, and farm labor
is too high compared with the price Of
grain. Too much money is wasted up
on farm machinery. Horses are brought
here from older states and sold for high
prices.
And we might go enumeratiug score
of abuses which are prevalent and must
beSOTected before We can count upon
steady and sure prosperity. If the or
iz,tionsof n Farmers Club will aid us in
ringing about the better order of things,
y sl means let it be done.
Farmers, see 10 ii that you attend the
meeting next Saturday afternoon.