Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-06-17


Whether farming as business is as
profitable as some other branches OF in
dustry is question admitting OF some
doubt; but that it is fairly remuneratiye,
besides being less subject to those fiuct
uations which bring disastrous results
in other callings, has long been settled
beyond dispute. OF course we are not
at this time taking into consideration
those regions liable TO severe droughts or
to be overrun by noxious insects, but the
better portions of the country where ag-
riculture is stable and well-established
pursuit.
The principal cause of complaint
among our farmers is the small amount
in money they are able to obtain from
the sale of the products of their labor I;
in other words, the amount of cash they
have the pleasure of handling during the
year. They frequently point to the me-
chanics of our cities, or even the clerks
in stores and various offices, whose sal
aries appear to be entirely out of pro-
portion to the work performed or talents
required, as proof OF unjust discrimina-
ton made in remunerating labor. A
casual glance at the prices paid for labor
in cities and in the country would GER
tainly lead one to believe that the former
was really unnecessarily high, or the
latter ridiculously low. 1t is this seem.
ing difference which makes SO many
young men and women in the country
Strive to get into the cities; it also makes
their parents feel that they, too, are
cheated out of their rights in selling the
products of their farms at less than city
retail prices. There are, however, two
sides to this question, and it is well not
to decide hastily in regard to which is
the most favorable without knowing
something Of both.
IL wages are higher in cities than in the
country. the cost of living is in proper
ton and there is no way of escaping it,
II may sound very we'll for a carpenter
or mason to receive four dollars per day,
but if he has to pay two of it for house
rent he is no better off than the country
mechanic who receives only three dollars
and pays one for an equally good and
perhaps better house. Then, again,
where rents are high other necessaries of
life are usually in proportion; conse-
queptly it is not the amount of money a
man receives for his labor, but what he
can save, which brings competency.
Now, If we take the mass of trades peo-
pie, mechanics and other laborers OF our
cities, and the poorer class OF farmers,
and inquire infinitely into the circum-
stances of each, the latter will be found
far the more independent of the two. A
farmer who can actually save one or two
hundred dollars per annum after proyid-
ing for the support OF his family is doing
better than nine-tenths of the residents
OF our cities who have an income from
three to five thousand dollars per annum.
Then, again, farmer who works upon
his own land is constantly accommodating
wealth, even if he cannot show a balance
IN cash at the end of the year, because
every tree planted, ditch dug, fence
built, or field cleared enhances the value
of his real estate. These are SO much
capital laid aside for the future, which,
If rightfully managed, will bring as good
interests as though invested in Govern
ment bonds.
We have only to take the proportions
of men in both city and country who are
really in independent circumstances,
that is, capable of supporting themselves
and families without lear of want star
ing them in the face should anything
happen to prevent them from laboring
or attending to business, in order to see
how much superior farming is to other