Evening journal., 1888-06-19
a Warning from IN ngIand.

Agricultural depression in England
continues without abatement. From
the Highlands to the South Coast
farmers have been ruined by free
trade. From 10000 to 10000 acres
OF cultivated land ere converted into
pastures every year. During the same
period 200, 900, COO acres on whichbread-
stuffs were formerly raised have been
pnt into grass. During the same per-
iod 40. .496 acres have gone out Of wheat
cultivation in Wiltshire alone, and
writer in EAR Trade shows what is
the annual loss entailed. In its pre-
sent condition Of very inferior pasture
the lard is not returning more than $l5
per acre, whereas under heat il would
yield $40; 50 that the farmers of that
shire lose $1,11l, eco in round number
every year on the land that has gone
out of cultivation. At the same time
the agricultural laborers are losing
$S03, 720 year in wages, since land
in rough grass requires from 10 to 10
ehillings for the cost of cultivation,
whereas land under wheat cultivation
involves an expenditure of 40 to As
shillings to the acre. What is true OF
Wiltshire applies equally well to other
shires in the United Kingdom. Com
petition with America and the conti-
nent has ruined not only the wheat
growing districts, but is fast destroy
ing minor agricultural industries, like
hop-raising. The hop-farms in Sussex
and the south OF England 80 years ego
were a great source OF wealth. Foreign
competition has reduced the value OF
the crop and the industry is now Ian
gushing, Every year thousands of
acres previously cultivated for this
crop are turned into grass.
Agricultural depression and ruin
have had the inevitable effect OF driv--
ing farm laborers and their families
into the towns to earn their bread in
other occupations. If the Al 900 acres
Of Wiltshire land put in grass repre-
ssnts approximately an annual loss Of
1903 900 in wages, the convention
into pastureo of 2 1000, 600 acres formerly
under cultivation in Great Britain in
vo'ves shrinkage of $14, $50, ,480 in
wages for farm labor. Thousands of
farm laborers must have been com.
psllsd during the last 16 years
either to emigrate or to apply
for work at factories or mines.
The reduction of wages in the
manufacturing centres has been one
OF the results of the collapse OF agri-
cultural industries. Men, women and
children out OF employment have
swarmed from the fields into the back
streets, alleys and slums Of the town,
ready to work for reduced wages and
crowding expert artisans out of the
trades. Il is this surplus population
in ths centres OF manufacturing that
lowers wages and deprives the work
ing classes of occupation. The ruin
of agriculture wrought by free trade
has thus involved the recruiting Of the
ranks Of the great army Of the unem
ployed and the cheapening Of labor
throughout England
American farmers and the industrial
classes dependent upon them for occu-
patton and support have steadily pros
pered under protection. English far
mers and their agricultural laborers
have been pursued by evil fortune
under free trade. American farmers
have every reason to be satisfied with
the results Of the economic policy fol
lowed by the government since 1860.
The English agricultural classes have
good cause for complaint against free
trade as system that has been ruin
Gus to their interests during the last
20 years. Why should the American
farmer vote for the free trade party in
this canvass? Does he covet share Of
the impoverishment, rum and deprss-
sion caused by free trade in England,