The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-01-13
A WORD TO OUR FARMERS.

As the decline in the price OF wheat, and
the failure Of the last years corn crop, has
somewhat discouraged our farmers, we wish
to say word or two to show them that they
have no reason for dependency.
We are all prone to think and speak Of
the prosperous times we had before the war.
We think that if those good old times could
be brought back, all would be we'll with us.
Now let us see whether our complaints of
the unhappy condition of the farmers, as
compared with the past, are we'll founded.
What then were the prices Of agricultural
products before the war ? We think we are
not far out Of the way, when we say, that the
ordinary price of -four, in staunton, was
from 81 to S., of corn from 373 to so cents,
of pork S. per hundred, of beef less than
S. per hundred, Of mutton still less-of
hay So to $40 per long ton, turkeys 81!
cents to IS cents, chickens 123 to l6s cents,
butter 123 to 16a cents, eggs s to II cents.
We remember we'll, that we bought each of
the enumerated articles, at even less than the
above prices.
But what are the prices demanded and re-
ceived now F? In every instance, present pri-
ces are higher-the excess ranging from 10
to 100 per cent. above old prices 1t is true,
that owing to the unusually large crop of
wheat last year -four is much lower than it
has been for several years and is not much
higher than it was before the war. But how
is it with corn 1t is nearly double the old
price. But, says the farmer, that is an ex-
ceptional case, and results from the unusual
drought, and consequent failure of the crop
True. But if you change the high price of
corn to the small crop that was raised, is it
not equally fair to change the lop price of
wheat to the large crop that was raised? If
one was an exceptional case, is not the other
also ?
But what do you say to pork now selling
at S11 Or $12, instead of the old price of
So? What do you say to beef at SO, In
stead Of 81 or 5 per hundred What do
you say to hay at from $15 to s1s per short
ton Of 1000 pounds, instead of s. or $40
for the long ton of 2,24O pounds? And
look at the smaller items, such as butter at
35 to so cents, instead of 121 or 16s-ot
turkeys at 81 SO to $3.50, instead of 37a to
IS cents and chickens at 35 cents, instead
of to 123 cents and eggs at Is to 40 cts
We might extend this comparison still
further but it is unnecessary. These are
stubborn facts. They are known by all our
middle-aged readers to be true and we think
they show conclusiuely, that our farmers have
no good ground of complaint. With indus
try and economy they are bound to thrive
And here let us whisper word in the ears
of our friends, in profound confidence! The
fault lies not in the times but in yourselves
The evil lies not in low prices, but in extrava-
CANT tastes and expenditures. You have
been spoiled by high prices, and your sons
and daughters have contracted habits OF
wastfulness A deprecated currency during
the war, caused people to lose all correct ideas
OF the value of money. They were used to
spend money $50 called y by the hand-fulls
and they have not yet got accustomed to the
unite Jellum standard of value. It is hard to
return to the old fashioned habits of economy
There are too many 10 cent cigars smoked
too many % cent whiskey straights and bran,
dysmashes imbibed too many SO CATERS
worm too many $40 and $50 silk dresses
Haunted in our towns and cities!
Oh! but labor is so high We have lost
our slaves, and arc now compelled to hire our
labor, and it takes all we make, to pay the
wages of our hirelings
Here We join issue with you again. We
maintain that labor is cheaper now, than i,
was IN the days of slavery! We will consid
er the question in two aspects. lst where
farmers owned slaves, and End, where thew
hired them, and We think we can demonstrate
that in either case, labor cost the farmer
more, while slavery existed, than it does now.
Now for the proof Suppose farmer opned
number one hand, what did his labor cost
him! Such hand was worth in the mar
ket 81, 500. The first item then, in the cost
OF the labor of such hand is the interest on
the capital invested in him as property
That at six per cent: is 500. To this you
must add clothing, including two pair shoes.
hat and blanket say $50. Then come taxes
and county levies, say $5-then Doctor
bills, say, on an average, S. or $1O-and as
much more for time lost by sickness, to say
nothing of holidays. You must then add
the dimunition Of capital caused BY the an
nuel decline in the value of your negro. and
insurance on his life, and against his runpino
away. These could not be justly estima.
ted at much less than s1oO per anpum-
You must also allow for the contingency IF
being obliged to support him, in his old age
when he could no longer work, but had be.
come a charge. Add all these together and
you will find that the labor of such 2 hand
cost Lis owner at least $3.50, per annum. al
though he owned him, and nominally maid
nothing for his services!
And now suppose, instead of owning. Won