The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-02-21


We are led 10 conclude from various
conversations which we have had with
our farmers, that their business Is far
from being prosperous There is gen
ernl complaint among them Of the diff
Guilty which they have in meeting their
engagements; although they have the
usual amount Of farm products for sale,
the low price which they obtain for i
does not furnish enough money to meet
their ordinary engagements. This state
Of things docs not look well for the busi-
ness interests of our people; when the
farmer Is prosperous, the mechanic,
manufacturer and merchant share in his
prosperity; but when from short crops
or any other cause the farming interest
IL depressed, all must feel its effects
sooner or later. Combinations for a time
may prosper. but at some point, for want
Of material upon which to operate, must
fail. These combinations are becoming
alarmingly common in our land, from
gigantic railroad corporations to the kill
ing of hog. all combine in their ree-
pective spheres to make q common prey
Of the farmer. After the pork packers
convention last fall, It was soon under
stood that hogs were not to 60 above
four dollars per hundred pelivered at
the slaughtering points, and no more
agents were to be sent out among the farm
er to buy their hogs. How well has
this programme been carried out! Now,
when nearly the whole crop has been
marketed, the price Is advancing; this is
no doubt, intended to have an influence
upon the price of the product. This is
but one instance out of many. The last
phase In this character Of movement,
which has come to our notice is an at
tempt 10 form combination amongst
the manufacturer Of agricultural imple-
mepts. for the purpose of regulating
their cost to the farmer, and this il eff.
fected il intended to make all hi ming
implements more costly to the consumer;
oppressed as he already is, this may be
last feather Upon his back. 1t is easy
for the few In any business to combine,
but for such masses as form our agricul-
tural community, it is impossible.
There is another phase Of this question
worthy of careful consideration. The
eject of the low price of farm products
4 reacting upon the price of our land
We believe that the depreciation in its
valus ia from 25 to 30 per cent, possible
more, - there seems to be but little dis
position TO invest in land at any price.
But few years back hemp was worth
from % to SO per cwt., hogs 8 to 10c,
cattle 8 TO Sc, mules $50 to $500 per
bed, and other products in proportion;
now hemp a SO. hogs 50 so. cattle from |
TO 8 cent?, mules much lower. and |
T prpducts in proportion yet it is
sosting us in the price of labor the same
ppw - il did when prices Of products
were higher.
Labor has not yet felt the effects of the
low prices which farmers are receiving,
except in 50 FAR Is they get their living
much cheaper and have more money to
spsnd foolishly; for We do not believe
that our laborcrs are any better, if as
we'll of to-day as class. than they were
when the price Of living was much more
costly. If these low prices are to con-
time. then labor must be proportionate-
" reduced or our system of farming
must be changed.
There Is one thing in our farm labor
that is telling heavily against the interest
Of the farmer, and that is the total un-
concern which the laborer has in the
well-doing Of bis employer, 50 that he
can put in the day with the least posi-.
bic exertion. ia. as a general thing, all
for which be cares. The price paid for
arm labor Is from SIS to go per month
and board the year round, taking the
weather as it comes; this with its want |
Of care, slow movement and half work,
makes IL costly indeed That farmer
who takes the front row in work. or
spends all his time with his hands, may
10 better; but as things are conducted
with US generally. no people are more
imposed upon by their laborers. We
believe that point is about arrived at
in which all this must change; the farm
or may 90 on for a time accommodating
indebtedness, yet the time will certainly
come when he viii be forced to pause
and look at the Situation of things.
We do not advocate sny combination
among farmers to control tho price of
labor. but we do suggest tho necosiiy
which exists for the farmer to naks him.
ssf a. independent = possible nf lAOa.
This = r--rrrsz1y The region for fine
uSA. no agricultural business pays bet.
~ than that Of rearing them, this can
be done to large extent upon grass in
summer and hay in winter; it is great
folly in US to attemp; to enter into com.
petition in the product of grain. with the
krmers Of the West and southwest, who
can reach the markets of the seaboard at
. Ices cost for freight than we can, and
whose lands are comparatively low in
price. In the raising Of fine stock we
have the lead, and can maintain ii If we
will. We do not mean the fine stock,
thoroughbred animals, but that the