The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-02-13
FARMER, OPEN YOUR EYES!
READ THE TRUTH.

We challenge a refutation of these
facts. A tabular statement shows
that the number of acres of seated
lands in Columbia county is 10000
Probably one third of this is unim-
proved Be that as it may, for CON
venence OF illustration we will assume
that it is all improved. We will now
proceed to give the highest possible
estimate of its productive capacity,
and you shall be the judges, whether
or not, it is overestimated by one third
AS we have not the census we are
obliged to make the following esti-
mate: One fifth os the whole number
of acres is annually sown to wheat, one
fifth planted to corn, one fifth sown to
oats, one tenth sown to rye, one fifth
mown for hay, one twenty fifth planted
to potatoes, and the balance o4oo
acres is pastured. Hence 47,SSo
acres of wheat, averaging IS bushel
per acre, at ST. 90 per bushel equals
$7IS,535. 47,SS9 acres of shelled corn,
averaging 40 bushels per acre at so
cents per bushel equals $o57,7So
47,SS9 acres of oats, averaging IS
bushels per acre, at IS cents per
bushel equal $5S6,64o. 2S,o44 acres
of rye at IL bushels per acre, at so cts.
per bu., equals $I73,664. 1880 acres
of grass (hay) at I ton per acre at $40
per ton equals $47S,S9o, and 9577
acres of potatoes, averaging so bushels
per acre, at so cents per bushel equals
S239,4as. A grand total $3,154,734.
Aite: all the cost Of this production
fertilizing hired help, expenses, wear
and tear, feeding and clothing the
multitude engaged in farming in Col
umbla county, and after paying their
taxes, how much surplus would be left
to pay interest on mortgages, or liquid
ating other debts is a matter of small
conjecture. Take four times the valua.
ton of the estimated product and al
low two thirds Of this amount which
is about $4,000, 900 as basis for taxa
tion to which the farming interests are
subject under the present wicked and
inlquitous system, from which corpor-
ate interests are exempt, will, at 2I
mills on the dollar valuation. produce
$4,000 for county purposes. $aS,-
70o,46 was levied for the year 1850,
and from the most available sources
at hand we find that about $4,000
was collected from the farming inter
ests in the county. All other interests
made up the balance. The following
quotation is from the biography of the
Hon M. w. Jackson of Berwick as
found in the History of Columbia
and Montour counties, Pennsylvania
illustrated. 1887" Brarcreek. 1t is
full of instruction. "The foundry
was first started on very small scale
dong business for the first few years
OF about $4,000 to $4,000 per an
mum. In 1866 the buildings were all
destroyed by fire but were Immediately
rebuilt. The firm worked night and
day and their business increased very
rapidly until now they do about ST.,
100000 per year, and give employ
ment to about 1900 men when runn-
ing at full capacity. The firm also
own and operate large store and do
business from 100000 to $I2s, 900
per annum." From the county state
ment we learn that the borough of
Berwick was assessed $Io68,I5 in 1880
for county purposes, which develops
an aggregate valuation of the entire
borough, real estate and personal
property, subject for county and NUM-
cipal purposes of $787, 400, about one
half of the annual product of "the
Jackson & Woodin Mfg. Co. We also
discover that the borough paid state
tax OF $595,oa. AT a 3 mill tax this
sum represents a valuation of $685.
$40. But no doubt a large part in
n nc Nth thar