The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-01-30
y:mhe 9artt.
FARMING VERSUS FLOODING.
From the american Farmer.


From the american Farmer.
By late accounts in an English pa
per, the ECONOMIST, it is stated the
price of wheat is now, in England, low
er than for many yaars before-being
AS per quarter; and that only once IN
eight years has the price there been as
low as Ass.
The reason given by the English pa
pers, for this decline in the price OF
grain, is that the area or acreage sown
in most ether countries, is greater than
usual. At this time last year the price
was sos l0d per quarter in England.
On general principles this fact would
indicate that our farmers should raise
more of such articles as may be sold or
consumed, without meeting the compe-
tition of all the world; or as will not be
dictated in price, so positively, by for
egn markets, that it will be wise for
them to give greater attention to pro-
ducts which are more fully consumed at
home; and which afforded greater
profit, and are raised with less labor,
though they may be, some of them,
more quickly perishable, such as fruits,
meats, general provisions, wines, woods,
&c.
In this connection we may properly
remark, in relation to more complete
water COMMUNICATIONS more adequate
medium Of Observation-Disclosures the
grain growing States of the West and
the Atlantic States. A year or more
ago, we heard Virginia, Carolina, and
Maryland farmers offer objections to
the extension and enlargement of the
Kanawha and James River Canal, be-
cause it would bring the cheap grains
of the West in competition with those
here, which cost more to grow them.
Had they been more fully informed of
all the results of such work-had
they possessed fuller appreciation OF
it-they would see this very fact would
be to their own advantage, as more ex-
tended inquiry led some of them to con-
fess afterwards 1t is true that grains
can be grown on the rich, cheap lands
of the West and supplied to this mar
ket at lower price than farmers can
afford to raise them for on their old
farms. But that is only partial view
of the subject There are other things
which farmers here can raise and put
into the market in better condition, in
better season, and at lower rates, from
the very fact or reason Of getting those
cheap grains from the West. We mean
meats-beef, mutton, pork-fresh and
sweet, with fine poultry, butter, milk,
&c Now, the grain of Iowa aud Kan
sas, &c, come into market from the
long transit from the West, in just as
good condition and just as satisfactory
to the trade, as that raised here, and as
readily command the best prices not
so with their beef cattle, fat sheep and
hogs, poultry and butter; those arti-
cles, after long journey, will not com
mand those large, fancy, paying prices
which are obtained for the rich, sweet,
handsome meats that are put into the
market here with only few hours
transit. Then it becomes the best in
terests of the farmers here to buy those
cheap grains Cheaper than they can
raise them), and feed them out here
and make their money on other things.
Our farmers in this region can make
more money in buying and feeding
cheap Western grain and selling the
second products of it, than they can by
raising the grain-even, they can make
higher profits in this way than the
Western farmer can by raising the
4, bo
small stuffs.
These are things that it is we'll for
farmers. if they have not already done
so, to look at in their length and
breadth; and 1t will lead them to ex-
anime fully, in the nature of all the cir
cumstances, what is specially most pro-
ftable for them to raise.
The fullest statistics and best author
tiles go to show that farming, as a
whole, does not yield more than four
per cent, though in some localities and
with special crops, and in particular To-
calities more is sometimes realized.
But after allowing for taxes and itereet
on land, wear and tear of land, teams,
and tools, with labor and decay, more
than four per cent. is not realized, Of
tener less than tat as profits. There
fore, it is plain that farmers, as class
cannot afford to pay more than four per
cent. for the use of money to carry on
their business. Then, it is not reasona-
BILE or just that the manufacturer, or
merchant, or banker, with less risk from
loss or damage by storms, drouths, and
other disasters, and with fewer contin-
gencies of drawbacks, should make
greater profits and accumulate speedy
fortunes at the expense of the produc-
ing classes.
And it is unjust that legislation and
laws should give the former class ex-
elusive privilege and advantages, by
chartered rights over the latter to make
large gains.
When farmers properly understand
their voting power, appreciate their
own rights and dignity, and disregard
party trammels, they can and will shape
Legislation in Congress more justly and
wisely. The newspapers and votes are
their weapons.