St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-02-11
SHARP COMPETITION.
an Agricultural Problem Created by the
Growth of Civilization,

Growth of Civilization.
All have noticed that competition in
the production and sale of articles to
be used for food and clothing has be-
come very sharp during the past few
years. Improved methods of trans
portation have enabled the people of
every civilized country to compete
with us in all the great markets of the
world. Our brewers find that it is
often profitable for them to import
barley and hops. Large quantities OF
foreign potatoes, eggs and hemp arc
now used i'll this country. In every
foreign market we find hosts of COM
petitors Liverpool now receives wheat
not only from the United States. Can.
ada and Russia, but from Australia and
various parts of Asia, Africa and South
America. American beef and mutton
now comes i'll competition with that
produced in the islands Of the Indian
Ocean and South America The produc-
ton of Indian corn is increasing in va
riOus parts of the world that will soon
raise it for export. Soon it will be
used for fattening hogs which will be
offered for sale in foreign markets.
The production of cotton is extending
in countries that have heretofore pro-
duced but very little. The like is true
in relation to tobacco, which has been
source of wealth to this country.
disposal of farm products will continue
to grow sharper year by year seems
evident. Concentrated capital has be-
come Il most important factor in the
production of meat, grain, fruit, cotton
and wool As the rates of interest be-
come lower, many capitalists are in
clined to invest large sums in farming
operations or the production of wool
and beef. Companies have been FORM
cd for raising grapes, making butter,
cheese and wine, and raising cattle and
sheep. The invention and introduction
of agricultural machinery have more
than doubled the power of most coun.
tries to produce crops.
And now it seems certain that the in
crease Of civilization among people
who bavc always lived in a very primi-
tive fashion, and done their work by
the aid of poor implements, will make
competition sharper as time rolls on. An
observing gentleman who has spent
much time in India predicts that the
time will come when the people of that
country will produce the food for most
of the densely settled countries of Eu-
rope. The soil is rich and the climate
favorable for the production of food
crops. 1t is also very favorable to cheap
living, as it makes the expenditure of
much money for clothing, fuel and
buildings for men and animals unnec-
cessary. The present wants of the Indian
ry6t are few. All the progress among
his people was made a long time ago.
They wore themselves into rut and
they have remained there ever since
Neither his vices or his virtues are of
a costly kind. He has little ambition
or desire for change. The cost of fit
ting up place for farming is almost
nominal. OF scientific methods of
farming he knows nothing. and all his
implements are of the simplest kinds,
still he knows how to raise almost
every sort of crop. In all matters per-
tanning to domestic economy he can
give instructions to the farmers of the
most advanced countries in the world. |
The native farmer of India-whose |
name is not legion but millions-only
needs to become civilized to become
the successful competitor of the grain
producers of this country and Canada. |
The spirit Of progress has not stirred
his slow mind as yet. but it will in
time. His ambition will be aroused |
one of these years. He is no longer
submissive to the requirements
of the priests. He has become negli- |
gent in regard to attending religious
Caste distinctions are
beginning to disappear. The machines
and improved implements brought into
the country by Englishmen are attract
ing the attention of the native farmers.
TO successfully compete with the Eng
lish farmers now in India the native
farmers will find that they must use
the same kinds of tools and machines.
When they can compete with English
farmers at home they will become the
of the farmers of every
civilized country on the globe. They
will enjoy the advantages of climate,
soil and frugal habits. The native
farmer of India now raises wheat
cheaper than it can be produced in this
country. Give him better facilities
and he will produce it cheaper than hc
now does.
Nearly fhree-fourths Of the inhabi-
tants of India are farmers. They are
not general farmers. but grain pro-
iucers. They now raise more grain
than the people of the country can con-
sumo. Give them better farming inn
plements and the grain productions OF
The country will be doubled. Ambi-
lion and the desire for wealth come
with increasing civilizations. To OBJ
tain the manufactured articles desired
~ people who are rising in intelli-
gence, the farmers Of India all raise