The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-12-12
Agricultural Progress.

While the extravaganza and corruption
that has prevailed during the last few
years has had the effect to cover large
proportion of the farms throughout the
frte@ tfIat many are almost hopeIessIy III
debt it is also true that the 'hard timeS'
which all deplore have had tendency to
turn and fix the attention of farmers on
their own calling, and the lessons they
have received have taught them to rely
upon their resources as agriculturists and
not wander off after strange gods; they
have learned to cultivate not only their
soil but their brains.
They have not only made immense
strides intellectually, but have largely In
creased the productiveness OF their farms;
SO that when the causes that now depress
all kinds OF business shall be removed and
all the wheels are in motion again pros
perity will certainly come to the farmers
who meanwhile have been preparing to
meet an increased demand for their pro-
ducts.
So far as agriculture is concerned in
this country it is doubtful if it ever had so
rapid growth as in the last seven years.
From a comparison Of the statistics OF the
census of 1870 with those furnished by the
Bureau of Agriculture for 1877, it appears
that there were 3l,000,000 more acres OF
land under cultivation this year than in
1870, an increase of "a per cent The per-
centage of increase in the corn produced
was % 1-2, ofwheat so, of rye AZ, of bar
ley 80, in tons of hay "a, and in pounds
of tobacco 81 per cent. The live stock
over the aggregate of 1870 was, horses A
per cent, mules As, cows 20, oxen and
other cattle 30, sheep 20 1-2, swine % per
cent. The aggregate increase in the num-
Der of live animals amounted to about 25,-
100000 head. The excess of the grain
crop of 1877 over that of 1870 was nearly
b50, 100000 bushels. Our exports for the
year ending June 30, 1877, exclusive OF
gold and silver, amounted to $632, ,9S0,0S0.
Poverty Circumscribes Our Desires.
Poverty and wealth are opposites, and
both terms are those of comparison. One
man is rich or poor, the other richer or
poorer. None so rich but that he might
be richer-none SO poor but that he might
be poorer. The man who has buta single
suit or garment, and nothing else, either
of food or raiment, is certainly poor in
deed; but he would be stll poorer with
out even the little he has. And poorer
yet, if to his other sufferings was added
| the loss of limb or faculty.
In every country there is certain price
| or sum of money that will sustain life;
| and this price can be reached by the inter-
| est that money viii always command. On
the other hand, life can be sustained by
labor. So that while some are fed and
clothed by the sweat OF their brow, others
live by having money to work for them.
| Now it is manifest that he who is worth
80 much that the interest of the money
will support him, is independent-rich
| On the other hand, he who is well sus-
tanned by his employment, whether of
speculation or otherwise, though for the
| time being as well provided for, still, be-
| ing dependent on his exertions, he is not
| called rich. And yet, it would seem that
| he who can dig his own living out Of the
/ earth, or make his way through the world
| without relying on extraneous aid, is more
| independent than the man who depends
on the riches that have wings, or the trea-
sures that moth or rust may corrupt, Or
that thieves can steal.
And after all, poverty is not the greatest
evil that can befall a man. AS riches
have tempted many man to do wrong, to
live excessively and immorally, SO has
poverty kept many man within the pro-
per bounds of morality and virtue. Though
it may be hard to believe, it is neverthe-
less true, that poverty, as well as riches,
has blessings and benefits to bestow. Ex-
cessive penury, of course, is not desirable.
/ 1t is an evil that we all wish 70 avoid.
But for all that moderate poverty is not
without many desirable results. 1t is the
compass that circumscribes our desires,
and the square that keeps US within the
| due bounds Of proprlety and virtue.