Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-16
INDIA AS COMPETITOR Is WHEAT
GRoWISG.

"Will India prove a competitor of for
nidable character as a wheat producer to
Che wheat-grower of America ?" is cues.
ton that is debated in commercial circles
at present on the other side of the At.
lsntic. It does not appear TO have dis
turbed our producers as yet. They are
very much inclined to await the assault of
competition before borrowing trouble con-
corning it. This may not, in all cases, be
wise, but it is Enthusiastically true. 1t
is held by our English cousins that India
must soon prove to us dangerous com
petitor in wheat growing. India has irri-
CATION on scale unparalleled she has the
cheapest known labor she has soil of re.
markable fertility and wonderful endur.
ance under tillage. If to these she can
add cheaper transportation to the great
grain marts of the world than is possible
80 US, why should she not enter the lists
against us?
But II she shall enter upon wheat grow.
ing upon such a scale as TO assail our
market, and shall secure the transport ad-
Vantages, which she may easily do, does it
Follow that we will be seriously injured in
our agricultural industries We think
not. We do not know of single instance
where the food-producing capacity of one
section has been destroyed by the intro.
duction of new producer. In other
words, the consumption of food products
is as 1t has done, quite certain to keep its
proportional pace with production. Tnere
is nothing new in this statement, it ia
b automatic. Land values and incomes have
been harmed by agricultural competition,
out the production has not ceased because
OF 1t. If Indian wheat in the European
market becomes vital competitor to the
American wheat, it may follow that the
earning capacity of American land to the
landlords will be lessened, that the pro-
Queer will be compelled to make his ground
rental payment smaller, but there will be
nc reason for his production acre by acre
to be lessened. The political economists
of nearly all schools are agreed on PROPOSE
tions that Justify this holding. If the
grower is his own landlord his interest
rental to himself may be narrowed,
and to that extent only will the
influence referred to be felt. But that
will always be serions matter to the
American farmer. Unlike his English
prototype, bis attachment to the soil is
measured by the money yield-at least
that is the controlling motive for agricult.
ure with US. When it ceases to operate,
our farmer leaves grain.growing for some
vocation that answers the purpose better
A strong competition. then, might have the
effect of lessening the interest in agri
culture, so fEr as the growing of wheat
is concerned, among US.
But there is still another view of tn,
competitive question. 1t is a stimulant Il
better exertion, greater care and higher
quality of product When competition
makes the competitors equal in any bust
ness as regards capacity to produce, it i'm
Red;ately develops new form in tn,
shape of effort to Guido as to quality
So it may follow in agriculture as it has il
invention, manufacture and trade, tina
competition, while dividing the patronage
viii increase the quality of the product
But, as we remarked in the outset, it doe
not seem probable that the possible inAu
ence of India as wheat-grower will be t,