Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-01-14
The Situation and the Outlook.

WE cannot claim that the present con-
dition or the outlook for farmers is espe.
cially bright, yet compared with the con-
dition of the manufacturers and mer-
chants of the country, or with their own
condition at corresponding time in any
one OF five years, the farmers of the coun-
try as whole have no reason TO complain.
The aggregate farm products of the coun-
try in 1875 were very large and the money
received for them as a whole will also be
large. Some crops are now low in price,
but some, notably hogs, are high. There
is good prospect for n considerable ad-
vance in wheat, although this will not
probably come soon. Debts weigh heav.
| lily ON many farmers. The "times" are
dull. The question of the currency re-
mains unsettled, and there is consequent
uncertainty as to future nominal values.
But, admitting all that is unfavorable,
it is still true that for man of compare
lively limited means there are to-day few,
If any, investments more secure than a
good farm. 1t is better than most city real
estate; better than most manufacturing q
interests; more secure than money in
vested in ordinary merchandise; vastly
more safe than most speculative invest
ments.
viously one prominent one is that of eau
ton. This is not time for rash or vent
uresome experiments; not time for in
curing additional Indebtedness especially
is it not time to risk all on any one crop.
1t is never safe " TO put all the eggs in
one basket" and this is especially true at
such time as this. 1t is time for wise
economy; for paying off indebtedness as
rapidly as possible. He who has COM
paratively little, yet is free from debt, is
much more secure and in better position
than he who has much more property
ornamented with mortgages.
The wise farmer will distinguish be-
tween economy and parSimOny. He
will not refuse to make small expendi-
ture to secure large return. He will not
use poor seed corn because fifty cents a
bushel over market price is asked for that
which is good will not refuse to improve
his stock because this will cost something /;
will not refuse good care and sufficient
food, nor neglect to repair his fences and
patch the leaky roof, because these things
cost something in time and money. He
will not refuse 10 expend three or four
cents a week for an agricultural paper
which will help him more intelligently
to conduct his work and help him to de-
eide when and how to dispose of his crops.
Each farmer has duties as a citizen. He
must not neglect these. With voice and
vote he should work to secure reforms in
town, county, State and National Govern
ment; to prevent frauds, extravaganza,
unwise or excessive. legislation. Along
side of these he must keep in mind his
personal duties; to reduce the general in
debtedness by reducing his own; to help
bring down too high rates of interest by
refusing to borrow money unless for some
essential; to help the general prosperity
by endeavoring to so conduct his farming
operations that he may best prosper: to
help restore activity, and general industry
and hopefulness, by working faithfully
himself, employing all the labor he can
make profitable, and thus manitesting his
own faith in the future.
This is not the time nor place for par
ticular directions. Generally speaking,
Western farmers should work in the direc-
tion of producing more of the condensed
products, rather than relying on grain for
export; in the direction of these branches
If agriculture which give opportunity for
considerable labor. Except when there
may be danger of widespread disaster, as
by grasshoppers, as rule it will be best
for them to promptly make sales when
their crops are ready for market, rather
than to enter the field of speculation. Es-
pecially for those who have but little
wealth, attention to their legitimate busi-
ness will be wiser than attempts TO add
to their profits by engaging in trade, man.
ufacture or commerce. Western Rural,
! Jan. i.