Connecticut western news., 1879-08-13
Wages on Farms.
A REPORT PREPARING BY THE AGRICUL TURAL DEPARTMENT ON THIS SUBJECT.

REPORT PREPARING BY THE AGRIcU1- TURAL DEPARTMENT ON THIS SUBJECT.
 An interesting chapter in the forth coming report of the Commissioner of Agriculture will be that relating to the agricultural labor question. The De- partment has been gathering informa- tion in every county in the Union with regard to the rate of wages paid to farm laborers and the average cost of living.
 The returns disclose the fact that in all quarters of the Union (with the ex- ception of Minnesota, California, Colo rado, Oregon, New Mexico and Wash ington Territory) the average monthly rate or pay for farm laborers declined during the year ending last April from 8 to 15 per cent. At the same time, the expense of living in the majority of States declined in equal or greater pro- portion, so that the relative condition of the laborer really improved during the year.
 The average rate of pay in New Eng land for farm laborers on yearly engage ments, without board, averages $2O 31 per month, against $22.6O at the begin ming of the year, decline of ten per cent. The average cost of living has fallen from $9. 13 to $8. O2 per month, 8 decline of more than IS per cent. In the Middle States the conditions were reversed; the ruling monthly pay of the farm laborer being $19.69, decline of per cent, while the average cost of l living had declined only per cent. In New York alone farm laborers receive 9a per cent. less than they did year earlier. and pay ten per cent. less for their living. The South Atlantic States reduced labor 15 per cent. and subsist- ence l6 per cent, and in the Gulf States labor fell per cent. and subsistence only per cent; the average pay in the former being $11.19, and in the latter | $14.80 per month. In the nine inland States east of tho Mississippi the month ly pay varies from $15.50 per month south of the Ohio, to $2O.90 in the north, the rate of decline in wages being fraction less than that of the cost of living; while in the six States west of the Mississippi the present average pay for farm labor is $23.81 per month, 8 slight increase over that of 8 year earlier, and the price of subsistence falls off about 3 per cent.
 West of Mississippi the increase in the rate of wages is chiefly due to the ex- tension of mining operations. In this region large number of artisans have appropriated public lands and seek to pay for their claims by working part of the time at their trades. Quite num- ber of Harm -laborers have done likewise, and they work part of the time for wages on the farms of others. The large immigration has enlarged the stock of labor, but it is to great extent somewhat inefficient in character. All who desire work can get it. No surplus is reported from any county in Colorado. In the two Pacific States the average monthly pay of farm -laborers is $38. 22, against $36 62 one year earlier, an in- crease of 1-3 per cent, while the cost of living has increased fully IS per cent. In New Mexico, Dakota and Washington Territory there is a demand for skilled and unskilled American labor at remun- erative wages. In Utah laborers receive $29. ST per month, decline of 7 per cent during the year, and surplus of labor is reported.
 In the New England and Middle States there seems to be 8 surplus ot labor in certain localities and deficiency in others, which should render the aver. age demand about equal to the supply. The general rate of pay for skilled labor -shoemakers, blacksmiths, carpenters, etc.-is slowly rising, and is believed to mark the return of better times for tEe farm -laborers.
 A statement of the average rate o1 wages paid to agricultural labor in sev' eral countries in Europe will be of inter est as affording basis of comparison between the condition of the American and the European farm-laborer. From the tables prepared for the report oi Secretary Evarts upon this subject the following information is gathered, the figures referring to the year 1878: Ag rieultural laborers in England receive without board or lodging, an average 1 per month of $15. 60; in Ireland, $14.73 , in Scotland, $19.42; in Normandy $12.44; in Italy, $15.19; in Spain , &1A OK. in France S13 65