The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-05-23
OUR AGRICULTURE.
J. r. DODGE GIVES SOME. REASONS
FOR ITS DEPRESSION.

Those In Other Parts of the world-The
Remedy Proposed. rH
There is almost universal complaint
among farmers of all nations of the
prevalence of low prices. The agricul-
tural depression of Great Britain has
probably been more severe than that Of
any other nation. A potent cause in this
case is the competition from all parts of
the world unrelieved by any taxation of
imports. France and Germany are some
what disturbed by similar complaints of
unremunerative rural industry. Italy
has also had occasion to make official in
vestigation of the causes of agricultural
depression. Other countries are vocal
with similar cries of dissatisfaction with
the proceeds of agricultural labor. So
the trouble appears to be general in mon
arches and republics, whether the none
tary circulation is gold or silver or paper,
and under the influence of various and
diverse economic systems.
Not all countries are in the same depths
of distress. In ours farmers and farm
laborers are doubtless better fed and
clothed, able to maintain higher style
of living, and enjoy more of the benefits
of civilization and culture than those of
any other country. 1t may be said with
absolute truth that in thirty years the
scale of living has advanced immensely
in this country, not equally in all Sec
tions, but manifestly everywhere. There
is tendency to extravaganza in town
life that has been initiated in rural cir
Giles, and the natural ambition for prog
ress and precedence. when generally
aroused, will express itself in dissatisfac-
ton with prevailing conditions and de-
termination to overpower all obstacles
to advancement. This is hopeful sign.
1t is an indication Of conscious dignity.
1t is prophecy of progress.
While, therefore, our own country feels
the effect of agricultural depression less
than almost any other in the world, the
reduction in prices of most staples, and
in domestic animals and their products,
forces a disagreeable comparison with
agricultural values at their highest, COM
pels reduced expenditure to keep outgo
subordinate to income, increases the
number of unfortunates who cannot
make "both ends meet" and reduces the
profits of the enterprising and skillful
who are still able to strike q balance in
their favor. Retrenchment is not an
agreeable alternative, and is therefore de-
layed until it is imperative and perhaps
destructive. "The times" are universal
ly regarded as "hard" in comparison
with more prosperous eras of the past.
1t matters not that the prices of i'm
PIGMENTS, utensils and fabrics, of goods
desired by the farmer, have been reduced
proportionately; his interest account, if
he has one; is unreduced, and his mort
gage is greater burden to lift. He signs
for the good old days of high prices,
though they may have been war or fam
inc prices, necessarily temporary, and
though they may have been the source
of extravagant views, unnecessary ex-
penditure and the foundation of his pres
ent Indebtedness. He naturally resents
and deplores low valuation Of farm prod
ucts. What are the causes of low prices?
They may be various, but the prime cause
is the operation of the memorable law of
supply and demand. Abundance leads
inevitably to low prices; scarcity to high
prices. With either there is fluctation,
a seesaw of prices which increases cost
and reduces profit. Medium and uniform
values are therefore best for the farmer.
There has been an increase of produc-
ton in this country even more rapid
than the increment of population. The
following statement shows the increase in
thirty years in certain products of the
farm, as reported by the census!