Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-05-15
Prom the Rennehec Journal
Encouragement for Farmers.

The farmers Of our country have 6ne
prospect of a good market tor all they
can raise this year, in consequence Of the
large demand for agricultural products
which the war will create. Already the
prices Of -four corn, oats, pork, and other
articles produced BY farmers show a con-
siderable increase as the effect Of the
opening Of hostilities. Part Of this rise
is due to the operations Of spectators
and may not be permanent, but If the war
continues, as seems altogether probable,
there will be such a call for agricultural
produce as must make 4 steady and re-
munerative market for all that our far
mers will have 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
4 factor in computing the demand which
will be made upon the United States for
breadstufs to supply the European mar
ket, the fact that the theatre Of war is
in or near what has been the granary Of
Europe, and that the crop in that part Of
the world must be materially lessened by
the ravages of war and the defamation
and Generalization Of the laboring pop
ulation caused by the drafts that have
been and will be made to recruit the
armies. War not only consumes and des-
troys what the laborer produces, but it
prevents production by taking the farmer
from his plough 10 make him a soldier,
and causing such a reign Of terror in all
its vicinity that even women and children
and old men abandon their houses and
Fields and seek a subsistence as beggars.
Ia our country, during the rebellion, the
general use Of labor.saying implements
enabled Us to make amends in large
degree for the drafts Of the armies upon
our farming population, but in the count
ries where the present war will rage, the
use Of improved agricultural implements
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 for sup
plies for the contendiDg armies will be Of
al extraordinary character. Our resour-
ceS are immense, but in such contingen-
ey they will be taxed to the utmost.
To the farmers of Maine the situation
is one of encouragement Ii ought to
stimulate them TO plant and SOW with
unusual activity and perseverance this
Spring. Every energy should be put
forth during seed time to prepare for a
broad and abundant harvest. There can
be no reaping without sowing. Fortua-
tely the season Is one of unexampled for
wardneSs, 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 superior chance TO get
the crop into the ground; second, mark
ct in prospect in consequence Of the war
that will take all that may be offered at
= high scale Of prices. Such opportunities
very rarely occur, seldom more than once
in a lifetime. Those who are wise need
not be told that they must make hay
while the sun shines, or that they must
put their hands to the plough in earnest
if they would reap the profit which the
future holds out to industrious and ener-
getic farmers.