The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-25
TIE RUSH 10 THE WHEAT LANDS.
Even the MigrAtiou of the Cole Seekers
Not Comparable with &c.


Up 10 the end of the war period. agrieul-
turai development had bn; little more than
outstripped population. but Immediately
after the war, railway building In the un-
occupied West was greatly stimulated by
land grants and the cash subsidies given
TO the several Pacific lines As the new
railways progressed westward, so pro-
crossed the migration OF the sons, tenants,
and laborers OF the farmers of the older
states who we're prepared wish impie-
ments. teams. aud youthful energy, TO
turn the treeless plains into productive
farms Never In the history OF the race
has such migration, impe.lsd neither by
~ar nor by famine. been known. Never.
st least In modera times, has a movement
OF population had such far-reaching ecor-
omlc results. Even the migration Of the
gold.seekers Of 40 wss far less productive
OF economic effects.
Had the states Of the Mississippi and
Missouri valleys been covered with such
forest Crowths as covered Ohio, Michigan
and Indiana. agricultural development
would have been very mach less rapid.
and IL is probable that such growth, by re-
,ardIng settlement aud excessive cereal
production. would not have been prejudi.
cial "a the caltivators or 20 the nation.
As progressed railway building ant set
Element, so progressed agricultural devel-
opment, the absence OF arsoreal grow Tbs
enabling the settler upon the prairie TO
bring under cultivation more land in ore
year than in wooded region in twenty
years. The facility with which this process
was carried on upoa the treeleSs plains
has, with the railways at hand ready TO
carry the products to distant mar
kets, stimulated cultivation 20 the
utmost; aad the development of
this region WAS possibly fastened
by the fact that at the time when We we're
yearly reducing new state 10 cultivation
the world had no excess al food hearing
acres, and prices were very refnnaeFative.
Prices, however, were not, nor are the low
prices nog prevailing, the prime factor in
increasing az lcssenigg production. Man
desires home and. when poor the as
surel means OF employment; both were
found on the new farms " hieh were being
carved from the public domain in such
vast numbers; and nov, when the price
received Is often below the cost Of produe-
,ion. the farmer. Of necessity. continues 10
cultivate his land and produce gram. lie
has neither the means OF living without
employment NOE is other employment
possible for any considerable part OF the
~. On, 90 who Hnd homes and employ
uent upon the farms Of the L alte! states.
The lower the PRICE falls. sire more grain
tho farmer must grow. IN order 10 provide
for mss family. pay taxes and meet tae too
common interest account. Hence log
prlees. prices below n remaneraave level.
instead Of being al Incentive - decreased
production are. on she contrary, an IN
centive 20 increased production. With
wheat at Rs cents \ hashel. IS Is the case
A. pFpsenE in Central Kansas, the farmer
Ys,ys.s provide three bushels o. grain 10 Sc
cure the dollar that should come from the
sale Of one busheL There can tie no
greater imaacement 10 fail production
shan the tear o. foreclosure aud the loss
% home.