The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-03-01
Concerning the Decline of AgrIcul-

ALLEGHENY Ty


ALLEGHENY TWP Feb. "a, 1889.
Ed. FREEMAN Dear Sir. Having read
a number of articles upon the above sub
iect, offer the following observations upon
the interesting topic.
notice some say the business OF farm
ing Is as good now as it was q generation
since, others say the farmers do not know
what is the matter etc.
We know very we'll what is wrong and,
unfortunately. we are unabls to apply a
remedy. We are sadly certain there has
been fatal decline. In 1913 wheat sold
readily in Hollidaysburg for one dollar and
seventy-hye cents. From that time until
after the war It fuctuated between that
price ana one dollar selling in 1855 for one
dollar and a half. Oats during the same
period averaged fifty cents. Cattle during
this period sold readily and at paying prices.
If the declination OF these industries be de-
scrioed now, they can scarcely be said to
exist. The cause OF this part OF our decline
has been caused by unjust discrimination
by the railroads, bringing US In competition
with the cheap fertile lands OF the west.
lately sent by rail one hundred bushels OF
barley TO a point sixty miles from CressOn,
the cost was about five cents per bushel.
What the cost between Chicago and Phila-
delphia is have no means OF knowing, but
It is trifing as the price Is only raised about
two cents. The cessation OF cattle raising
carries with it the making OF manure. The
depreciation Of the land follows of course.
To what extent this has taken place / will
not state, for the reason that II the truth
were told Il would not be believed and If
believed would carry dismay to every read
srs who feels any Interest In this vital sub
iect.
Standing lately at Bradley's Station, I
I looked over a section OF country comprising
I about twenty i've farms, with all Of which
1 have been intimately acquainted during
the last half century. Forty years ago
there we.e upon each OF these farms an
average Of two able bodied men with from
three to six boys. Each farm bad upon it
three or four Eorses. an average OF twenty
head OF cattle and as many sheep. To-day
six OF these farms are vacant. Five OF them
are in the hands OF tenants-a class unknown
in former times-and the others, with one or
two exceptions, are fsebly operated by an
Old man aud boy, the former long past the
years Of active life aud the latter too young
! TO follow his elder brothers who have hur-
ried TO the railroad or the mine. there to find
| precarioEs employment with scanty pay
These farms have upon them OF cattle, each
perhaps Eve head, OF sheep hardly so many'
i crest deal has been written upon the
Importance OF keeping the boys upon the
J farms FIRE theme for.theoTists. Unfortun.
/ ately it looks better on paper than in the
| fields. assert that they cannot remain
I that no iudiciOus parent can advise such
course. why ?" will be asked. Because
after the taxes are paid a very frugal
subsistence Is all that is left, and not that
always. The following will Illustrate upon a
farm OF one hundred and eighty acres with
which am acquainted The taxes last year,
exclusive of national taxes (Which average
| I've dollars per head) were seventy eight
dollars. This takes eight tons of hay, or two
hundred and fifty bushels OF oats or corn
or serenity five bushels of wheat and the
cost OF marketing Is frequently to be added,
after this don't ask the boys to stay unless
you wish a refusal.
We are taxed IN scores of other ways
which do not appear so plainly. | will cite
and then draw this TO a close as am tres
passing upon your space. We are under the
necessity OF buying wire for fencing This
article which Is made at a fair profit for
twenty Eve dollars per ton is sold to the
farmers for one hundred and twenty FIVE
dollars. Suppose IL costs fifty dollars a
ton to make it. Can any occupation bear
such tax In conclusion agriculture has
so declined as 10 be threatened with de-
struction. or all the causes which have
brought about this result the great over
shadoIing cause has been excessive taxa
ton. To repress production this is, OF all
influences, the most potent, It drinks up
and consumes the spirit OF people. IL dis
heartens the young. it disccurages the old
and demoralizes all classes. l hope this
subject will be taken up and agitated until
some relief IS obtained. The most dlsheart-
ening feature Is the apathy OF our own peo.
ple-they have suffered until they despair Of
relief. / do not believe that IL manly and
outspoken resistance were made the rule
relief would be speedily secured. AT any
rate hoping To see and hea- a fun discuss
sion Of this subject to which few il any can
afford 10 be Indifferent. remain
Very truly yours.
j. j. K.