Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-09-18


necessary, but with extra expense al
tending the growth OF potatoes in til
experiments made it is shown that tn
J large extra yield not only well repay
for the additional expense but greatl
adds to the profit and leaves the sol
in better condition than before.
One of the worst things to conten,
with in the care of stock is their drink
No creature will thrive if compelled t.
go thirty or forty rods to drink an,
then get it by standing in the mud W
to their knees, or in a cold northwest
wind that will chill them so that they
won't get warm for the next twenty.
fGur hours. Farmers had better hire
money at twelve per cent. to bring
water to their barns than compel their
stock to travel off in the fields to
drink.
In twenty-four hours in summer
and thirty-six in winter all the cream
is up that is fit to make tirst-class
butter. Then skim into a tin cream
bucket and stir the cream well each
time you add to it. Churn three times
per week in summer, at least. 1t is
not necessary to churn every day, as
some do. In winter, twice per week is
sufficient, if you have properly cared
for milk and cream. In the churn is
where the butter is usually ruined by
overheating or over churning.
The Farmer as a Factor in Politics.
Spokane Chronicle.
The campaign in Ohio has brought
out an excellent campaign document
on the policy of McKinleyism as appli-
cable in other States as in Ohio. 1t is
presented by the Republican Board OF
Equalization of that State. and should
therefore be accepted as satisfactory
evidence upon which it treats. The
board is composed OF thirty-six men,
bers elected by districts and is chosen
decennially to rearrange property val
ues between the towns, cities and
counties of the State. The report Of
the board makes a startling exhibit Of
the depreciations in the values of farm
lands and shows that the cost of all
improvements in the past decade has
been virtually wiped out by the shrink
age, and that the agricultural popula-
ton of the State has greatly decreased.
Ten years ago the value of farm lands
in the State was estimated, in round
numbers. at $6S5 900 900. Realty in
the cities towns and villages was
valued at $412,6S5,000. This year the
farm lands are valued at $627 900 900
or more than $57,000,000 less than
ten years ago, although the figures
show that since the last valuation the
farmers of the State have spent over
$40,000,000 in improvements. This
$4O,O00,O00 is the valuation returned
for tax purposes and actually repre-
sents cost to the farmers OF $780,
100000, so that the real shrinkage in
farm values for the decade, based on
selling price for land ten years ago and
now, very nearly reaches the sum of
$250,O00,000. In the cities and VIII
lagos of the State realty is valued at
$639, 100000 this year, an increase of
$226, 100000 in ten years.
Bearing in mind that assessed values
are little more than one-third OF the
actual values, it will be seen that
town and city property has increased
in the decade more than 5000, 700 600.
Looking at the population figures we
find that in twenty-one OF the eighty
eight counties the farm population has
fallen off nearly $4,000. The total
figures for the State will show that
the agricultural population has de-
creased by more than 100000.
What can Major Mckinley say in
answer to these figures? He may
argue that the policy he has favored,
and which his party has adopted, has
built up towns and enriched favored
manufacturers, but will that satisfy
the men that till the soil, whose prop
erty has undergone such fearful
shrinkage, who are in debt and on the
verge of bankruptcy as result OF
Mckinleyism?
Is it any wonder that he has
been deeply wronged and aware
that others have used the machinery
of the government to enrich them
selves, while he has been taxed to the
verge of poverty on everything he is
obliged to purchase, with the home OF
his children covered with mortgages,
the poor farmer should insist that the
government cease laying such burdens
upon him for the benefit of those who
toll not?