Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1880-06-17

abundant evidence to indicate that the con-
di1ion and prospects of British Agriculture
will be pretty thoroughly discussed during
the present session of Parliament. Great
Britain finds herself face to face wi it'll new
condition of things beyond her control, aud
she must accommodate herself to what is
inevitable. The paper read at the meeting
by Mr.. j. q. Morton, based upon the exper-
ience OF forty years study of agricultural
problems, received marked attention. His
views were closely listened to, aud his
method Of ofilustraing by diagrams showing
the remarkably variable conditions and ex-
tremey uncertain returns of British farm
ing, appealed i'll telling manner to those
before him. Commenting on The essay, the
journal we have quoted says that greater
freedom, and further knowledge, and per-
siStent patience are now pretty generally
admitted to be requisite tor the successful
farmer. 1t adds: "We may endorse the
claim Mr.. Morton raises for the beaten team
of British agricu'turists striving to drag the
rnt-bound Car OF farming up the hill Of no
common difficulty which so Immediately
contronts them" This means the compe-
tition which the British farmer meats at his
own door with the cheaply produced pro-
ducts of America and other countries. Mr..
Morton tells the council and the country
that the tenant is the central figure in Eng
ish agricul ure, and that upon his power,
his independence. his capacity, depend the
interest of landlord. tenant and laborer
alike.
Later in the session Mr.. Card furnished
statistics showing the steady decline of the
wheat crops during three decades, and of
diminished flocks Of the past six years, and
OF shorter results steadily, through all years,
good and bad alike, The conclusion is ire
sistabe---notwihstand Mr.. Morton's
hopeful view that upon the whole England
is advancing, through good years and bad,
to a larger yearly product-that consump-
ton is far outstrpping production, and that
the English farmer is at a great disadvan-
tage with his foreign competitors by reason
OF the load with which lie is burdened; by
laws and public policy In the interest
mainly Of English landlords.
These discussions are not without interest
to American farmers, but 1t is not likely that
the present policy of England will undergo
any radical change which will materially
affect the expectation of breadstuffs ami
other foods from this to the other side of the
Atlantic. We shall continue to send Great
Britain our wheat, and meat, and cheese,
and butter, and fruits. at prices which, for
a long time to come, will leave fair margin
OF profit. The limit of food production has,
AS shown by statistics, been reached in
Great Britain and in most of the Continen-
tai States, while in most of them, notWith-
standing the immense immigration to this
country, population Is steadily increasing.
Were it not for our abounding stores, the
cost OF living would necessarily appreciate
to point which would debar thousands
from the use of many kinds of food which
they can now easily afford. America makes
it possible for millions of people In Europe
to enjoy wholesome, nutritious food In
abundance, who would otherwise be COM
PEELED to exist on plain and scunty fare. Not
only does she supply homes for tens of thou
sands of Immigrants annually, but large
portion OF this population raises food pro-
ducts that find their way across the ocean
to feed friends they have left behind. While,
therefore, we may expect and should rejoice
to note the adoption Of reforms to tighten
the burdens of English farmers, we hardly
need to entertain any fears of the success of
measures calculated or intendeh to retard
the the expectation of food products from
The United States to Great Britain. 1t would
be an act of folly to attempt it, for more
than three-fourths of her own people would
thereby sutfer.-Prai,Ie Farmer.
VALUE AND COST OF BEETs.