New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-08
WAGES ON FARMS.
REPORT PREPARING BY The AGRICULTURAL DE
PARTMENT on THIS SUBJECT.
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fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRPCNEl
WAsHNGToN. Aug. IAN interesting chapter In
the forthcoming report of the Commissioner of Ag-
riculure will be that relating the agricultural
labor question. The Department has been gather
ing information In every county IN the Union with
regard to the rate Of wages paid to farmlaborers
and the average cost of living.
The returns disclose the fact that in all quarters
of the Union with the exception of Minnesota, Cal
ifornia, Colorado, Oregon, New-Mexico and Wash
IngtOn Territory the average monthly rate of pay
for farm-labOrers declined during the year ending
last Aprlfrom to Is per cent At the same time, the
expense of living in the majority of States declined
in equal OF greater proportion so that the relative
condition of the laborer really improved during the
year.
The average rate Of pay in Neutrality-suspicious. farm
aborers on yearly engagements, without board,
averages $50 81 per month, against 800 60 at the
beginning of the year decline Of 10 per cent. The
average cost of living has fallen from$9 Is to IS OF
per month. a decline of more than ID per cent In
the Middle States the conditions were reversed the
ruling monthly pay of the farm-laborer being
$40 90, decline of per cent while the average
cost of living had declined only 4 per cent In
New-York alone farm laborers receive S3i per cent
less than they did year earlier. and pay 10 per
cent less for their living. The South Atlantic
States reduced labor per cent and subsistence 10
per cent and In the Gulf States labor fell per cent
and subsistence only per cents the average pay IN
the former being FL 10. and in the latter $l4 80
per month In the nine inland States east of tine
Mississippi the monthly pay varies from $40 90 per
month south of the Ohio, to 800 80 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, slight
increase over that of year earlier aud the price OF
subsistence falls off about per cent.
West of the Missssippl the increase in the rate OF
wages is chiefly due to the extension OF mining
operations. In this region large ndmber OF artl-
sans have appropriated public lands and seek 10
nav for their claims by working part OF the time
at their trades. Quite number OF tarm-laOorerS
have done likewise. and thew work part OF the sme
Tor wages on the farms of Others. The large lmln-
grafton has enlarged the stock OF labor OUT u If 20
n great extent somewhat inefficient IN character
All who desire work can get II. No surplus Is re-
ported from any county IN Colorado. In the, Two
Pacific States the average monthly pay OF iarm-
laborers is S3S o. against $3.50 62 one year earlier
an increase OF 4l3 per cent, whlie the cost Oh living
has increased fully g per cent. In New-Mexlco,
Dakota and Washington Territory there Is a he-
maud for skilled and unskilled American labor al
remunerative wages. In Utah laborers receive
S2S 81 per month, decline OF per cent during
the wear and "A surplus of labor is reported.
In the New-England and Middle states there
seems 10 be surplus Of labor IN certain localities
and deficiency ~ Others, which should render the
average demand about equal TO the supply. Inc
general rate OF pay tor skilled abor-Shoemakers,
hIacksmitbs. carpenters etc.-is slowly rising, and
is believed TO mark the Of better times for
the farm abOTers.
4 statement OF the average rate Of wages paid to
Agricultural labor in several countries IN Europe
will be of Interest as aflodlng basis of compare
son between the coudlIOn Of the American ana
the European farm-aborer From the tables pre-
pared foe the report Of Secretary Eyarts upon this
subject the following Information is gathered, the
figures referring to the year 1878 AgrlcultuIal
laboreTs IN England receive. without board or iOuS-
ing. an average PER month Of SO 60; IN Ireland.
S14 10 in Scotland. $40 A.; IN Normandy
Sl2 IA; IN italy, So 10; IN Spain. $l4 0oj III
France, ST. 80.