Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-11-19
Dissatisfaction among Farmers.

There is widespread feeling of dissatis-
faction and consequent discomfort among
farmers at the present time. This feeling
arises from the fact that the mass of farmers
find it difficult to realize any profits from
their farms. By dint OF hard and cOntipu-
Gus labor and the exercise of economy in all
directions, they are enabled to meet running
expenses. Very little money, if any is &C
cumulating upon their hands to be laid by
for future emergencies or to be used for such
articles of comfort or luxury as their condI-
ton and circumstances seem to demand.
While the exercise of economy ia to be COM
mendc1 at all times, it is difficult to see why
the industrious farmer and his family should
be obliged TO exercise it more than people
living in villages and cities, engaged in diff
ierent occupations. 1t is fact that al
though the farmer may have respectable
property in his farm and its fixtures, the Ia
boring classes in town for the most part de-
pendent entirely upon their daily labor tor
an income have more ready money than the
farmer, and can more easily supply them
selves with "extras " which contribute to
the enjoyment and to the refinement of the
family. Denying ones self OF purchases not
absolutely essential should not be hard to do
and perhaps it is not, but still the farmer
cannot, see why this necessity should fall up
on him more than upon other classes depend
ent upon their labor for an income.
Farmers are accused of being prone to
complain OF their hard lot-the unfavorable
weather, the drought, the rain, the irosts,
and many other casualties which interfere
with bountlful crops, and anticipated re
turns We do not believe, however, that We
as a class are chargeable with complaints
and rIryS h.ua oil nrh
good ground for the belief SO prevalent, that
we are not being SO well rewarded for our
labor as other classes of people; and the
conviction is driving thousands from Their
farms, where formerly they were prosperous,
to the towns, there to avail themselves oil
higher wages. While this condition If labor
and it's rewards is greatly to be regretted,
the fact, nevertheless must be admitted
How long this state of things is to continue
is matter of serious inquiry to those who
have pleasant homes in the country, and
who still love the labors Of the farm, and are
reluctant to leave it and its pleasant sur
roundings for the closer quarters OF a house
IN town.
The unequal relation OF producer and con-
sumner was brought about by various causes,
and We FULLY believe that in due course OF
time the former equilibrium will be restored.
lime will, as it ever has be ore, work its
changes, and the labor of the farmer will re-
celve It's due reward.
The abnormal relation of productive labor
and low priced products ext ting at the pres
CIT time cannot long remain. High priced
labor will not for any considerable length OF
time be employed in the production OF pro-
ducts whose market value will not return
tue outlay for labor. Producers will cOntin-
ue to leave the farms and nOn-prOducers
will correspondln5ly multiply. Thus IN the
West, farmers caubOt continue to raise corn
at the price which they Tor the last two years
have been receiving Tor it. Therefore this
year there is much less breadth planted, and
what there is does not promise we'll 1t Is
more than probable that before another
passes, corn will rule very much higher.
With higher priced corn comes higher priced
p rk and beef. Pork Is already much high
er at the packing establishments than tor
two years past. With beet ruling high, and
blessed with bountful crops OF grass and
hay, we can again fnd a profit IN growing
tat steers and other cattle.
Thus, although the present almost univer-
sal complaint OF small profits, or rather no
profits from our farms, is grounded IN some
thing more than the habit OF grumblIng with
VIII CHI We are accused, Yet we iully believe
that the cloud which now Ovefshadows the
business will pass away, and we shall again
enjoy the sunshine OF prosperity. The con-
sumption OF non producers will continue I'M
abated, while producers will not continue to
produce without satisfactory compensation
therefor.