Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-10-01

AGRICULTURAL interests OF Great Br1-
tain. The unfavorable weather and
prolonged and excessive rains have
prevented the filing and ripening Of
the wheat. The probable yield is
reduced TO one-thirdiless than an av-
erage crop, and this deficiency means
) los 81 one hundred and twenty
i've millions dollars to the cultiva-
tors Of the soil. Potatoes, too, have
been seriously injured by the blight,
and the damage to that crop is esti-
mated at nearly sixty millions.
Other crops, among which are beans,
peas and hops, have suffered severe
damage, occasioning still further loss
TO the farmers. The grass crop is
also seriously injured. Late esti-
mates put the total loss sustained by
English farmers, owing to the 'unfa-
vorable season, at not far from the
immense sum Of three hundred mil
hon dollars.
In Ireland the situation is some
what better. The hay and wheat
crops are fair, but the potato crop is
blighted. In Scotland, however, the
situation Is Ear less favorable. The
crops are poor; many Of the people
in the larger towns r out Of work,
and great distress il almost sure TO
Be experienced during the coming
winter. For years past land owners
have been gradually dispossessing
the people Of almost every foot
hold on the land, while counties that
we're formerly a. blooming gardens
have been turned into veritable viii
dernesses, over which no ma must
tread without permission. The peo-
pie have been crowded to the larger
towns where there is little chance for
labor and livelihoods.
To devise means for the relief Of
the distress Of the people Of Great
Britain, . Royal Commission has
been appointed, but it will not be
likely to recognize the real remedy
q tho existing state Of things. One
Of the main causes Of the present
trouble is the exorbitant rates of
rent which the farmers are obliged
70 pay for the use of land. The ay-
erage rent paid is said to be about
ten dollars per acre. Formerly
whom English farmers had a monop-
oily Of farm products, the prices were
kept up md farmers could pay such
rent. But now the competition Of
American products has reduced the
prices to such an extent that the
English farmer finds himself unable
10 pay the rents, and is obliged to
give up the lands and seek other en-
ployment.
Rents must be reduced at least
one-half, and that implies that many
Of the encumbered large estates,
which ct present rates can juststrug-
gle along, will be driven to seek re-
lief Of some sort-probably be com
PEELED to dispose Of a part Of their
broad acres. If British laws were so
modified that the possession Of land
IN small lots could readily be secur-
ed, Ill Of the land which would be
forced into market by a reduction
ofrents would find eager purchasers
among the frugal farmers.
Great changes are needed to cor
rect the evils that hang over Great
Britain. In the most favorable
years that country fails to produce
its own food, yet there are thousands
Of ACRES Of waste land held for hunt
ing parks TO afford amusement for
the aristocracy. The poor are out
of work h the towns suffering for
food, and the farmers in the country
aze forced to pay such exorbitant
rates Of rent that many are compell-
ed 70 desist from any attempt to
cultivate the land. There are no
less than 100000 acres Of land in
the United Kingdom capable Of
cultivation, about one-half Of which
are il Scotland. Were it cultivated
tho country would be nearly self.
sustaining; but these are kept waste
foF the pleasure Of q few men, while
tsEs ct thousands are homeless and
nasrely ! grade above paupers, who
might Otherwise have homes.
With such : state Of things in
Crest Britain the day is coming
when America can feed her people
~ CONTRACT. This year most 81 the
defcdt ii Great Britains crop viii
= made m fom american grana-
0ufspeCple can stand II il John
ny nm ~, md bom the outlook
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