The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-03-08
HOUSE FARM & GARDEN.
Agricultural Depression In England,


hard times and a general depression of
agricultural pursuits are alone con-
fined to the United States, but in this |
they certainly err, for any great finan-
clal disturbance IN our country is pref
ty certain to be felt in another, with |
which it holds commercial relations. |
Depression in trade or in agricultural
pursuits, in America is felt sooner or
later all over Europe, and as an inter-
esting view of the condition of agricul- |
tural affairs abroad we copy SOME ex-
tracts from a letter Of farmer to the
Hereford Times Of England:
1t is nonsense to assert that "allOW-
ing one man to occupy three or four
farms is detrimental to the interest
Of farming. The argument would ap-
ply with equal force against all large
establishments, estates and kingdoms.
The large farmers generally are the
best Of farmers, grow the best crops
and are Indispensable at the present
day. What does it matter how many
farms man occupies, providing he
properly cultivates them! Further,
where are the men to be found to oc-
.cupy small farms, and where is the
capital to come from! Small farmers,
have years ago succumbed to the inev-
liable result of their position, and
gone to be green-grocers and publ
cans in the populous districts. 1t is
useless to point to France to prove the
benefits of small farms. might with
more reason point to the Western Con-
tinent to show the advantages of large
farms. In this country both are neces
sary. English farmingis not suffering
from large or small farms, 'hobby or
book farming but from concur
renee of events not depending on sea-
sons. or the sizes Of farms, or any such
matters.
Agriculture has now for the first
time in its history come into direct
and full contact with host of Difficult
ties, some of which the manufactur.
ing interest has already successfully
dealt with and no doubt the farming
interest will ultimately right itself
how soon depends on landlords. The
agriculture of this country is now face
to face with the worlds produce
! steam power, railways, trade unions
heavy rates, higher wages than in The
past, education, the cheap press, ant
! the rapidly growing intelligence of thu
age. Men are restless and unsettled
II The newspapers not only circulate tn,
news Of the day, but the state of tn,
: Labor market, and if men fail to ge
what they want in one district tn
railway will quickly convey them t.
another district. A friend Of mine in
! forms me that where he paid f200 il
0 wages he now pays f4O0, and the worl
is not SO we'll done. Here is an advanc
: of wages equal to FL per acre rise 0
Z rent, without any corresponding ad
|. vantages-rathe the reverse. Let u
not forget, however, that this ris
. of wages is not confined to agriculture
: but is the same in all trades all owe
e the country.
a The demand for farm laborers j
populous districts is 80 great and col
: tinuous, that any attempt to ma
4 terially reduce their wages would b
s followed by the loss Of the men an
families. The farmer has little
S hope for on the wages question. Nov
s sir, think might indicate few (
= the sources to which agriculture mus
: turn for relief. In the first place lans
lords must give up the ground gam
,e and alter the system Of letting the
y farms. Why should tenant gro
y crops to be eaten by his landlord s Ii,
stock Why should not a farmer 3
II what he likes with his crops when
N has grown them think he shoul
III grow what he likes and do what |
m likes with it. If landlords are vii
in their day and generation. they wi
= see the policy In giving way in the'
j. two points. In the second place,
be think landlords should cover in Il
fold-yards and do away with building
ou which steam power has rendered us
8 less.
It would not cost much to put 81
f. vanized iron roof on wood or irt
pillars, and any sensible tenant wou
ng willingly pay the interest. Look
an the wasted manure, the cost of Ri
30 sheets ,thatching injured corn, and 10
- of straw, time and labor, when mo
he needed. In the third place, on lar
estates one farm should be laid o
Ia, for steam cultivation, with one tena
us with capital and energy to underta
% it. and he might do work for the 9th
! J tenants. The moderate sized far
q would get the heavy work done. a
the small sized farm have better co
ID mand OF the labor market, and
re- would work harmoniously togeth
ch- "o1