The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-17

ia a zso 10
In 1910, with population of E000,000,
the United States produced G16oo0,0O0 bush
els of cereals, exported but 130O0,0 900 bush
els. In 1850 the population had reached
$4,000 900, the production OF cereals S67,-
100000 bushels the exports, however, had
increased but little, being 6. 10000 bushels.
In 1860 we find the population 100000,
the production Of cereals $40, 000,000 bush
els, and the exports only $4,000, 900 bushels.
In 1870 the population bad reached $780,,
900, the production of cereals $50, 100000
bushels, and the exports something over 81,
600 600 bushels. From this date the popu-
lation of the country has increased something
like three per cent per annum, while the an
nual production of cereals has averaged
since that time, nearly 2,0O0, 600 900 bushels,
while the annual exports have averaged
about $4,000, 900 bushels, the average an
nual expectation of wheat alone being H.
600 600 bushels (1s73- 1889. Thus it will
be seen that In the United States, more
perhaps, than in any other country in the
world, the annual production of food pro-
ducts, especially bread stuffs, has more than
kept pace with the increase in population,
and that while the relative increase of our
UfoI
during any of the decennial periods, has been
greater than that of the other grain-produc
ing countries. We find that the increase in
production has also been greater than in the
other countries.
In 1884 the production of grain reached to
1888, 100000 bushels, and in 1885 TO 3,000,-
100000. 1t is estimated by the statistican
of the Agricultural Department that the
production in 1880 was about the same as
for 1885, namely, 300O,OOO,OOO bushels.
The exports substantially retain the same
relation to the production.
| 1t is safe, therefore, to assume that less
than 10 per cent. Of all the Western farmer
produces in the way of cereals, finds mar
ket abroad. In previous paper it was
shown that Mr.. Gladstone thinks the remedy
for the present condition of affairs dow
prices) is to still further increase tho pro-
duetion of grain, when the statistics show
that the increase at the present time is rel
atively greater than the increase of popula.
ton. Brilliant as Mr.. Gladstone is he will
have hard job TO convince the farmers oil
the West that the price of six or eight pei
cent of the grain they raise, and II! PEI
cent of their hog products which they send
abroad would be as high if they followed his
advice, and raise more meat and more grain
The home market consumes over 90 pei
cent. Of our grain, and 874 per cent of oul
hogs, and consisting of skilled laborers and
artisans whose wages are pressing proitl
hard" TO use one of Mr. Gladstone's OWL
terms, is q comfortable and substantial back
ground for the free trade shadow-dance O.
the markets of the world" which the farm
er Of America fully appreciates He is not
willing to exchange this for condition o
affairs such rs existed in the Southern States
before the great manufacturing develop
ment of recent years.
The farmer wants more cloth and NOR.
iron produced, because that means NOR,
wages to buy his products; more manufae
lures along the line of agriculture, increase
rne value of his land, 1t is not so much low
prices the farmer wants,as fair prices. Ii
other words, he wants to sell his products
at fair price, and save as much as possibl,