Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-11-15
American Agriculture and
the Dead Meat Importa-
ton.

tlOhs
A Scotchman's Conclusions After {
Careful Inspection of American
Farming and Stock Growing.
Correspondence OF the Edinburgh Scotchman.
A trip across the Atlantic and
through the United States forms a
capital course of study-a valuable
experience for any man, and especial
ly for a Briton. 1t Is good for one to
see an order of things entirely differ.
ent from that Of his own country to
see new-fangled notions worked into
practical form, and institutions and
social organizations that differ from
those amidst which he has grown up,
and which he has propably come to
recognize as the only proper and sat
isfactory institutions and organiza.
tions that could possibly exist. Half.
a-century ago, and even less, a trip to
America was regarded in many parts
of Scotland as a great and dangerous
adventure. / have heard an affec-
tionate but superstltious Highland
mother declare that she would rather
see her son laid beneath the green
sod than allow him to cross the awful
deep. But times have changed, and
so have the notions of Scottish moth
ers. A tour to America now is thought
no more of than a journey from Aber-
deem to Edinburgh fifty years ago ;
and it must be pleasing to everyone
who is interested in the welfare and
prosperity of the two countries, who
is DESTROYS of seeing them flourish side
by side, to observe that intercourse
between the Old World and the New
is steadily on the increase. In the
course of tour through the United
States, one can see that there are a
few little points on which the sympa-
thy and harmony between the Amer
leans and Brltons are not yet SO per-
feet as could be wished but mainly
by friendly intercourse theseremnants
OF things that were are fast being
swept away. The facilities for cross
ing the Atlantic are now very perfect,
safe, expeditions, and moderate, cost
ing only about 81, 13s day for first
cabin for double voyage which usu-
ally lasts about twenty-one days.
Then, in America itself, travelling is
exceedingly pleasant and comfortable,
aud though a little higher than in
Britain, the cost is less than some
have stated it to be. The facilities
for travelling provided by railway
companies, the provisions made for
supplying meals and repose during
day and night, throw the British rail-
way system far into the shade. Du-
ring my four months tour in America
/ travelled ll,42o miles by train, and
except on some out of-the-way
branches, | always found comfort and
means of repose on the Gears" The
average cost was close on 81 cents, or
a little more than I'D. per mile, and
the average speed about twenty-five
miles per hour. Posting is about 25
per cent, higher than in Britain, hotel
charges about 20 per cent and such
small services as washing, and hair
cutting and shaving, are more than
200 per cent. higher. The washing
of dozen handkerchiefs in a Chicago
laundry would cost one dollar, or As;
and for cutting your hair would you
grudge 35 cents, or Is sd. ?-or for a
shave Is cents. or I'D? Still with
care one can travel comfortably in
America at about 10 dollars Cor 92)
per day. AS indicating the facilities
that are now enjoyed for travelling, it
may be mentioned that in five months
| travelled, by sea, river, railway, and
road, about 10000 miles, or close on
four-fifths of the entire circumference
of the globe.
But these are side notes. My in.
quiry is finished, and | must proceed
to fulfil promise to indicate my own
impressions of what was seen and
learned. 1t is hoped that some farm
ers may have followed my letters as
closely as to be able to draw conclu-
sions of their own, and that they will
compare these with what may now be
offered. My object was to state facts,
and to obtain such full, complete, and
accurate information on the subject
as would enable others as we'll as my.
self to form correct estimate of the
prospects of the important trade that
has created so much interest in both
countries. A great deal of time and
labor were spent in collecting esti-
mates of the cost of beef production
in the various States visited and in
striking the averages stated in my
| letters, the utmost care and impartial
ity were exercised. My opinions re-
garding the character and quality of
cattle were freely given, but on most
other points personal impressions
were reserved. They shall not be so
now; and, while | quite recognize
that every casual visitor is apt to run
into some -hasty concentrations, still
l trust that. there will be no reason to
charge me with unfairness or want of
care. SMy object was not to speak
favorably or unfayorably of American
agriculture or its beef supply; my
mission was to discover for British
farmers the extent of competition
they are likely to meet with from
abroad.
To begin with, it may be stated
that in spring wrong impress,
sion seemed to prevail both in Eng
land and Scotland as to TIE parts o.
America which the imported beef wa:
! coming from and therefore, ALSO, as