Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-03-09
Prices Of Agricultural Labor In the
United States,

In the monthly report of the De-
partment of Agriculture, just issued,
elaborate statistics are given showing
the average rate of wages of farm la
borers in the several States of the
Union.
An investigation of the subject of
agricultural wages was undertaken in
December, 1866, and the results then
obtained quite satisfactory, fur
nishing internal evidences fgreat care
fulness and accuracy in the work of
gathering the statistics. 1t was found
that at that time the average rate of
farm wages throughout the United
States. was twenty-six dollars per
month without board. or fifteen dol
lars and fifty cents per month with
board. a quarter of a century pTevi-
Gus to 1866, the pay of farm laborers
was estimated by Mr.. H. G. Carey at
nine dollars per month with board.
From an examination of statistical
reports, which have just been eOm-
pleted, we ascertain that the rate of
agricultural wages has not been great
ly reduced from what it was in 1866,
though the prices of some agricultural
products have considerably declined.
Throughout the central belt of
States, including the great States of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, the
average rate of wages in 1865 was a
little over seventeen dollars per month
with board, or twenty-eight dollars
per month without board. In Iowa
wages are to-day no lower than they
four years ago. In Illinois the
average per month is reduced about
S1.25; and in Ohio and Indiana the
reduction is about 50 per month. The
present average wages in Ohio is put
Town at S26.35 per month. This
mounts to $500 per annum, while
he average English farm laborer re-
,eives but S1S2 per annum. The cost
# the necessaries of life is probably
bout the same to each, one having
he advantage in buying clothing, and
he other having the advantage in
provisions.
The rate of farm wages is a good
thermometer to tell the solid prosper
ty of a country. If farmers al pay
God wages to those whom they en-
then it is prima fdcie evidence
hat the country, taken as a whole, is
n a prosperous condition. OF course,
We mean when there is no undue
timulus to prices by a redundant ]
PAPER circulation resting on no solid
At the present time our circu-
rests on a secure basis, and it
the entire confidence of the pub I
ic.
The question naturally arises, how
s it that farm wages have kept up so
high while subject TO the competition
If the millions of working emigrants
who are being poured into u coun-
.ry? 1t is well known that a large #.
proportion Of these emigrants engage
n farm work for the production of 1
hose crops which form our own great
Even those laborers who
ire engaged in constructing railroads
IRE indirectly adding to the produc- ! !
ion of these staples. The labor which I
provides an easy transportation to /
market is only a slight remove from I
hat labor which plows, sows and !
caps. And yet, with this great ac-
,ession to our labor, with the great
editions to labor-saving farm ma
:hinery, all concentrated in the pro-
luction of the staples referred to, the S
,rices of these staples have kept up
high that up to this time ere has =
been a slight fall in the price of
gricultural labor. OF late, one arti-
lie, wheat, has fallen in price. But
orn, pork, beef, oats and hay still
command such high or fair prices as
o justify farmers paying liberal wa !
,es for labor.
The ability of farmers to continue
U pay the present average wages
must of course depend upon future
vents. If cereal products generally
all in value as wheat has fallen,
must be reduced in proportion.
Cincinnati Gazette.