Mexico weekly ledger., 1894-09-06
The Missouri Farmers.
From the Kansas City Star.

loA NAAC Ms ~ 'AoA
Ii is shown by an extra census
bulletin recently issued from the de-
partment at Washington that 50 per
cent of the farmers of this state cul-
tivate their own land. That is, less
than one-third of them are renters.
In many instances renters are be-
coming owners and the ratio of pro-
prietors is constantly becoming
larger. The bulletin also shows that
only about Sc per cent of the farms
in Missouri are encountered by debt.
The lines aggregate about 81 million
dollars and the rate of interest is less
than s per cent.
This is an excellent showing and
places the agricultural interests in
Missouri in a highly favorable light
compared with its condition i'll other
states, particularly i'll the west.
There has been some talk about dull
times in this state, but, as Il matter
of fact, the farmers i'll Missouri at
least those who are frugal and in
dustrious-hayeno felt the pressure
of the panic to any uncomfortable
degree. Farm products have been
cheap it is true, but they have been
plentiful, and in Missouri they are
produced with the least possible out
lay of labor and money. There is
always a good living in the soil of
this state for those who L willing
to dig it out and there is more than
that to the man who exercises intel
ligence and thrift i'll the cultivation
of the land. The climate is all that
can be desired. the average of the
rainfall is abundant and all of the
conditions are favorable to successful
agriculture.
1t is quite the exception to see Il
Missouri farmer hard pressed for
money or everburdened with mort
cages. As a rule, he is in easy cir
cumstances and we'll ahead of the
hounds. If he Is not, it is largely his
own fault. With all of the helps
which nature affords the class who
till the soil i'll Missouri, there is no
excuse for distress OF embarrasS-
ment. The gospel OF calamity has
never become popular i'll Missouri
and there is no reason to believe that
it ever will. 1t would be absurd to
raise the cry of poverty and disaster
i'll face of the large average of pros
perity which prevails throughout
the state and the refusal of the peo-
pie to take up with the pessimistic
doctrine Of the Populists is credita-
BILE to their good sense
Considering its superior quality,
land is exceedingly cheap III Missouri
and farm investments are becoming
more and more desirable. The moral
atmosphereof the state isimproving.
New blood and new enterprise are
breaking up the old Bourbon incrust-
ations and this is making the state
mor attractive to ~homeseekers.
The great majority of the farmers
L comfortable and happy. They
enjoy the cOnyeniences of ready ac-
cess to market; they have schools
and churches, plenty to eat and wear
and a greater variety of natural
wealth at their doors than is found
in almost any other state III the
union and their situation, all things
considered, is one to be enyied rather
than to invite commiseration. The
successful mannerin which Missouri
has passed through the financial
squeeze" proves that it is solid and
that its material interests are in first
class shape.
French & Garrett, druggists, will
tell you that Johnson's Magnetic
Oil always gives satisfaction and is
the cheapest.