The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-27

The year 1898 will not be marked as
a red letter one by the farmers of this
country, and yet there is some cause for
congratulatiOn. We are often inclined
to paint things a little blacl1er than they
deserve. A ser. Gus drought had a disas-
trous effect in portions of our central
states. resulting in lighter yield OF
corn than that obtained in both the East
and West, and also affecting the yields
of other farm products. Fruit was
failure generally speaking. Prices Of
grain have ruled lower than many an
ticipated. Wool has been cheap, and all
common cattle have commanded only
small figure. This is the dark side Of
the picture.
But before we close our accounts with
the year let US note some of the things
that have reconciIed US to our business.
The panic Of 1898 was chiefly the ef-
feet Of the hard times among the farm
ers during the last five years. The
farmers ceased to buy freely and fac
tories had to close. Business men have
been realizing the results of agricul-
tural depression in past years. But
how different it is with them. The
When his income is small he trims sail
and is comparatively safe. The business
men Of our towns and cities are de-
pendent upon others. Hard times for
them often means total loss Of their en-
tire capital Their anxiety is to save
their capital The farmer may have to
deprive himself in many ways. but it is
a notably small per cent. that lose their
capital. All are ready for another year
and its chances for profit.
Some farm products have commanded
a fairly good price. The farmers who
had hogs have done we'll Hay has ruled
high. The thousands of farmers who are
depending upon poultry for the purchase
Of their table supplies have found poul-
try and eggs in good demand. Potatoes
have ruled well i'm price, and many side
crops have brought in money. This does
not help the man who has been depend
ing upon wool and wheat for his IN
come it is true. and such farmers are
finding times very hard, but taking the
country as a whole, these other crops
have been fairly remunerative.
At the close of the year when business
men are taking inventories all farmers
would do we'll to use their pencils free
". They should know just how much
richer or poorer they are than they were
twelve months before. The cost Of pro-
ductiOn of the chief crops should be ac-
curately known, and some study of the
figures may lead TO the dropping OF
crops that do not pay 1t is folly to con-
tinue to raise fine wool, unless there is
some margin in it. Better turn more to
mutton breeds. Cannot new crop be
introduced in place Of something now
grown We cannot answer these CUES
lions for others, but every farmer needs
to begin the year with a determination
to cease producing crops that always
fail to pay. Have you none such?
Many farmers have. Large acreage IS
not always a good thing just now. Pos
siby you are raising the very best paying
crops for your farm. Is so, then the
only thing is to increase the yields But
there is no virtue in staying in rut,
if that rut leads only to loss. We
should keep farm accounts, and should
slowly decrease the acreage Of those
things that rarely pay well. In word;
At the close of this year let every one
use the pencil, be not afraid to discard
one crop or try a new one on small
| scale and do not follow the crowd ex-
| cept when you know the crowd is right.