The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-04
above. the population OF the United States

above. the population OF the United States
increased % per cent. and the area under
| grain, hay. cotton, tobacco. and potatoes.
| the staples dealt with in tho reports OF the
| Department Of Agriculture, increased 154
| per cent. One result OF this disproportion-
ate increase has. since 1876. boon q. con-
stantly descending scale OF prices. the
| gradual impoverishment OF the agricul-
tural class, and the destruction. in great
part, OF their power to purchase OF the
products OF others.
In the north Atlantic States. Maryland to
Maine the area under staples expanded but
little between the close OF the civil war
and 1874. although farm products thcn
brought the highest prices we have ever
known. This shows that high prices do
not. necessarily. stimulate agricultural
production. especially when concurrent
with great general prosperity and demand
for labor at highly remunerative rates.
Between 1874 and 1879. and Immediately
after the panic Of 1873. but not necessarily
connected Herewith. although many peo-
pie were then thrown out OF employment in
the towns. came an era Of agricultural ex-
pansion In the seaboard States. and in five
years the area under staples here augment
ed by fourth and reached It's maximum.
Tho added acres were probably largely
used to increase the output of dairy prod
ucts. an industry then rapidly expanding
in this region. All the acreage gains made
between 1874 and 1879 were not held. how
ever: and while there is no probability
that 100000 acres have since gone out Of
production In these States. as the figures
seem to indicate. they have no doubt been
diverted to pasture-probably in rotation
and to such minor products as the fruits
and vegetables required by the immense
populations here centring in the towns.
Whatever the cause OF the decrease Of the
area under staple crops. 1t Is apparent that
no material additions to the area under
grain can be looked for in this section; the
probabilities being that grain fields will
continue to give place to meadows. pastures.
orchards. and gardens.
This conclusion Is In perfect harmony
with the findings Of the census. which
show that the area under all cereals de-
clined from II 900 900 acres In 1879 to 1o. AGO.
900 In 1889. q net decrease OF 100000 acres.
The cultivated area Of the lake States
(Ohlo. Michigan. Indiana. Illinois. and Wis
consin) increased rapidly and continuously
from 1865 to 1879. From 1879 to 1889 the in
crease was comparatively small; and the
diminution Of the area shown since 1889
would indicate SO complete an occupancy
Of the arabic lands as to necessitate
the conversion OF grain fields to
other products for which the demand was
more urgent. and that no increase OF the
area devoted to staples, other than hay.
can be expected in this group. Indeed. the
diversion of the cereal area that has been
In progress in these States since 1879 may
be expected to continue and increase. as
tLO aO" iohto bOAhB fCouSOu w SuiINoIiOu
do not equal the added requirements for
hay. and the Secretary OF the State Board
Of Agriculture of the foremost agricultural
State Of the Union says that:
"As to tho increase In the pastures not being
commensurate with tho decrease in tho principal
crops only say that pasturage not being harvest
marketable CROP in the ordinary acceptation of the
term less attention 10 paid to it by the assessora
There doubt shupsr but that he desod pasues
IN inois 10 eonsandH inerea'ins. dad viii continue
m Stat, older and lands become palva
The returns from pasturage are more certain than
from harvested crops"
Contrary to the general belief as are the
statements Of Secretary GARRARD. they are
In complete accord with the showings OF
the census and with conditions known to
where the arabic lands are fully occupied
and where grain fields are. as further east.
giving place to orchard. meadow. pasture.
and garden. with every probability OF the
continuance and Increase Of such necessary
conversions until tho towns OF this prosper
GUS section shall cease to grow.
lho hiooouil Noiioy NlOWh,
souri,. Kansas. Nebraska. Minnesota. and the
Dakotas) have been the theatre Of the most
wonderful agricultural development Of all
time. the Increase under staple crops hav-
ing been unprecedentedly rapid from 1865
TO 1889. during which twenty-four years the
cultivated area OF the group increased from
100000 acres to e7.5ooOOo. an addition OF
nearly 6o.oOo.oOo acres.
Since 1889 the increase has been much less
rapid. and. with the aid OF Arkansas. Texas.
and the far western regions. it has been
sufficient only to Offset losses east CT the
Mississippi and to add 100000 acres in
four years to the nations productive farm
lands. Some additions to the area under