Morning journal and courier., 1881-11-19

Other figures were given showing the cap- ital employed per acre in 1870 on farms in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine and New York, which the Professor considered an average The average size of farms per capita and per acre were given, showing that Connecticut was not behind other States on the average. The Professor stated that this class of statistics had not yet been completed by the census department, and he WAS looking for it with good deal of anxiety.
 The meeting was called to order at 2:3O by President Brewer, who inquired if there was any business laying over. He was informed there was none.
 In opening his remarks Professor Brewer said that his connection with the census re- lated principally to grains. He said that schedules were sent out to every part of the United States The fact has developed that most of the grain was grown not on cheap new lands, but on land worth from $30 to $40 per acre. About 2, 200, 900, GOO bushels of grain were grown during the last year. My own belief is that there is revolution at present going on in England in regard to the growing of grain. America and the United States are in competition with England in consequence of the facilities of transporta- tion According tosthe best estimates it cost the farmers about as much to draw bushel of grain a mile as it cost the railroads to draw 0 ton the same distance. The Professor said he had drawn some tables on the black board that would show the cost of raising grain as compared between New England and Old England.
 Some grain was exported before the Revo- lution, Philadelphia being the principal port of export for grain.
 Since commencing the moving of grain by cars the use of the steam thresher and the handling of grain in large quantities had been introduced. Yet it is well to know that the prices of sending grain fuctuate. The average cost of sending grain from New York to Europe last year was 113 cents per bushel, yet on through bills of lading from St. Paul, Minnesota, to England this year grain was sent for 30 cents a bushel, less than the cost for farmer to cart it forty miles. The cost from San Francisco to Europe has been 30 cents per bushel.
 The grain elevators and the rapidity with which they work were interestingly referred to. It cost by the elevators from a cent to half a cent per bushel, and they would load 8 canal boat or steamer with astonishing rapidity. The elevators have changed the price of wheat flour most wonderfully, and whereas the English laborers now eat wheat bread, they used to eat rye bread or barley short time ago spectators run up the price of flour in this country and dealers in Eng land reshipped flour to New York at profit So to day I ate potatoes raised in Ireland which had been shipped to this country and sold about as cheap as potatoes raised in our own country.
 Speaking of sowing crops, the professor said the yield could never be estimated beforehand. Then if you raise several kinds of grain, and in addition root crops, it is very hard matter to tell what they cost. Yet a farmer, if he finds certain cereal or root does not do well, can change and raise others. In this the New England farmer has the advantage over Old England, as he can find 8 market for whatever he raises. In Old England there is an antagon- ism among farmers The man who rented his land 5, 10, 15 or 20 years ago and agreed to raise certain crop now finds himself in a condition that he cannot raise these exclusive articles and keep up his rents.
 Agriculture did not improve any from the time of the Egyptians to the days of the Revolution, from the fact that those who worked on the farms were not honored But in this country from it's first settlement the title of the soil was honored and it's occupants could hold any position on an equal with others.
 Here land is transferred easily and does not bear any burdens because it is land, and the parties who farm the land own it. The intelligence is what has kept up these farms in New England The Professor then called attention to the blackboard which showed a great falling off in some cereals and he gave as reason that it was because peopie ate more wheat. The production of buckwheat had decreased also because there was less eaten than formerly.
 In conclusion the Professor said it would seem that while in one sense we work under great disadvantages, yet the results are quite satisfactory.
 From the freedom of action, closeness of markets and freedom from disaster it would seem that there is no reason for the Connec 1 ticut farmer to complain, especially when it is considered that the chances of disaster are so small We seldom hear of a Connecticut farmer failing yet these things are quite ire quent in tue West.
 J..J. Webb said he thought it would be g good idea if the farmers would talk over prices they were getting for produce. as they had to depend too much on the grocers as to prices.
 Several farmers gave the prices they were receiving for cereals and roots, and the clut l then adjourned until the first Friday after | noon in December.
 There was better attendance at this meet ing than formerly, and the interest in Pro lessor Brewers address was apparent