The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-04-04
FARMING DOESN'T PAY.
mo Agricultural Department Pro-
ceeds TO Tell Why.
Among tho Remedies are Greater p'sers''
~ 81 Crops and Mu<siing the
Middiemen--Esii~ 81 OPP
s'on Dealing.

The Department OF Agriculture y pre-
narinr a statement upon the subjeci o'
agricultural Depression and ~
Cures" OF which the following - az
vance copy:
There d almost universal complaint anon.
tanners ~ AN nations ~ the prevalence "i
low prices. The agricultural depression "
Great Britain has probably been more severe
than that 81 any other nation \ potent
cause III this case Il the competition from az
parts of the world unrclleved ~ any taxa
dion OF imports France and rerinanN arg
somewhat disturbed 10y similar .ompihih'~
OF UnrcmuncratiNv rural industry itAiy haS
also had occasion 10 make Official luftStl%A-
tion ~ the causes IL agricultural dcnressio ion.
other countries are vocal with similar cries
of dissatisfaction with the proceeds 81 agri'
cultural labor. 80 the trouble appears - ~
general Ia monarcnieS and rcrubiios'
whether the monetary circulation -
gold ~ silver or paper. anu unne'
the influence Of various ana diverse eco
monte systems. Not an countries are ~ thf
same depths ~ distress. IN ours. farmers
ana farm lnborer- are doubtless better FED
and clothed. able % maintain a higher style
of living and enjoy more 90 the dement's 81
civilization and culture than those o. any
other country. II may BE- said with absolute
truth that In thirty years the scale ~ ilv'nK
has advanced Immensely lu tlAt- t'ftAttttf ~
equally In all sections. but maniiestly every
where There 4 a tendency ~ extravasance
In town life that has been initiated IN rural
circles and the natural ambition for prog
ress and precedence, when generaAiy
aroused. VIII express itself ia dissatisfaction
with prevailing conditions and determine
zion to overpowcr all Obstacles 70 advance.
nenf This l. hopeful sign. II j. an indl-
cation OF conscious dignity. IL Is prophecy
OF PROCESS.
WHY THE LOW PRICES.
While therefore, our own country feels
she effect OF agricultural depression less
than almost any other IN the world. the re-
duction in prices OF most staples. and in do
nestle animals and the products forces 4
disagreeable comparison with agricultural
values at their highest compcls reduced ex-
penditure 20 keep the outgo subordinate g
income. increases the number Of untortu'
mates who can not make both ends meet.
and reduces the profits Of the cntcrprsinl
and skillful. who are still able 10 strike
balance in their favor. Retrcnchncnt i not
an agreeable alternative. and IS therefore
delayed until its compulsion Is imperative
and perhaps destructive The times ar
universally regarded a. hard In compare
son with more prosperous eras Of tn
past 1t matters not what the prices 81 i'm
PIGMENTS. utensils. and fabrics. ~ goods de
sired by the farmer. have been reduced pro
portionally, his interest account, II he ha'
one Is introduced. and his mortgage j.
greater burden to lift. He signs for the gocs
old days OF high prices. though they ma,
have been war or famine prices. necessarily
temporary. and though they may have beer
the source OF cxtravagant views. unnecc~
sary expenditure. and the foundation OF hi
present Indebtedness. He naturally re
sents and deplores low valuation Of farm
products.
what are the causes Of low prlceSs
They may be various but the prime cause
= the operation OF the memorable law o
supply and demand Abundance leads IN
~evitably TO low prices; scarcity 20 higl
prices. with either there are fluctuations
= seo-saw Of prices which increases cost ans
reduces profit Medium and uniform values
are. therefore, best for the farmer
THE INCREASE or PRODUCTION.
There has been an increase OF produc Tor
IN this country even more rapid than the
Increment Of population. America has Ions
Teen synonym Of plethora Her people
probably consume more than those Of any
other nation and have a larger surplus FOL
foreign needs Immigration has been heavl
and unrestricted; r. lroad building has beer
stimulated until an empire OF new and pro
ductivc lands has been opened, and thes'
Hands have been given adj iibitum TO settler
10 native or foreign birth Speculation frs
and profitable utilization afterwards hav'
been the motive for scttleme Mt and develop
ment. which has astonished the world an'
caused over-productien and low prices
The following statement shows the increase
n thirty years in certain products Of tn
farm. Is reported by the census: