Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-03
announcement for Farmers.

>utt sH"'
ENCOURAGEMENT for Farmers.
The farmers of our country have hne
prospect of good market for all they can
raise this wear, in consequence OF the large
demand for agricultural products which
the war will create. Already the prices
of -four, corn. oats, pork. and other artl-
Giles produced by farmers show a consid-
cradle increase as the effect of the open
ing of bostilties. Part OF this rise Is due
TO the operations of spectators and may
not be permanent, but if the war con'in-
ues. as seems altogether probable, there
will be such call for agricultural produce
as must make steady and remunerative
market for all that our farmers VIII nave
TO sell. Beside the large consumption
waste and destruction that will Inevitably
attend the vast armies which will confront
each other in the field, there must be taken
into account as factor in computing the de-
mand which will be made upon the United
States for breadstuifs to supply the Europe
an market, the fact mai the theatre OF war
/; in or near what has been the grdnary oil
Europe, and that the crop in that part OF
the world must be materially lessened
by the ravages of war and the decl-
nation and Generalization OF the la
boring population caused by the drafts
that have been and will be made to re-
cruit the armies. War not only consumes
and destroys what the laborer produces
but it prevents production by taking the
farmer from his plough to make him SOL
dier, and causing such reign OF terror In
all its vicinity that even women and child
rem and infrm old men abandon their
houses and fields and seek subsistence
as beggars. In our country. during the
rebellion, the general use of labor-saving
implements enabled us to make amends in
a large degree for the drafts OF the armies
upon our farming population. but in the
countries where the present war will rage.
the use of improved agricultural imple-
ments is scarcely known.
Should the war involve other nations
than Russia and Turkey, which Is by no
means improbable Notwithstanding the
declarations of neutrality they make. the
demand upon the United States tor sup
plies for the contending armies will be OF
an extraordinary character. Our resour-
ces are immense, but in such a contingent
cy they will be taxed to the utmost
To the farmers OF Maine the situation is
one Of encouragement. 1t ought to stimu-
late them to plant and SOW with unusual
activity aud perseverance this Spring. Ev-
cry energy should be put forth during seed
time to prepare for broad and abundant
harvest. There can be no reaping with
out sowing. Fortunately the season is
one of unexampled forwardness, giving
the promise of ample time TO prepare the
ground and SOW and plant larger breadth
than usual. There is apparently double
opportunity to be improved; first, a SUI
perior chance 10 get the crop into the
ground; second, a market in prospect in
consequence of the war that will take ali
that may be offered at high scale OF
prices. Such opportunities very rarely
occur, seldom more than once in life
time. Those who are wise need not be
told that they must must "make hay while
the sun Shines" or that they must put
their hand to the plough in earnest il they
would reap the profit which the future
holds out to Industrious and energetic
farmers.