The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-06-27
GOOD YEAR FOR IRELAND
Peace end Prosperity the Rule
During 1893.
Jyarvcsts We're Abundant and ihe Agri-
cultural Glasses Enloyec Many
OF the Comforts
OF Life

The year which has just drawn to
close has been remarkable as one Of
the most pcaecable and prosperous
which has passed within the century
Ia view Of recent occurrences 1t can
hardly be considered uneventful, says
the London Times, but these occur
reuees were exceptional and do not af-
feet lis general character The people
as a whole, have never been freer from
distress and the evils which follow IN
its course. Since the year lsso, which
Is treasured in remembrance, they
have not been favored with so dry
simmer or 4 season more favorable to
agricultural pursuits Althouga the
total area under cultivation showed
decrease Of 5-sa5 acres in cereal crops
and q. .235 in green crops, and some oI
the crops were light and thin for want
Of rain. yet the drought was not felt
so severely in ireland as in England,
the soil retaining a large store Of Inois-
tare from previous years. which was
drawn to the surface and preserved the
vitality 0f the seeds and roots
The result vas that the harvest was
saved IL srch good condition and so
much earlier as 10 more than comPen-
safe for any deficiency in the acreage
under cultivation. which, after all.
was but sight The total extent
under cereal crops was I.4s9,993 acres,
and under green crops, i,l55,52' acres
The extent under clover and grasses
was ca. O58 acres. being an increase Of
IsI7O acres, and under hay or per
nlauent pasture !. .525, Jos acres, showing
an increase Of 6.1s4 acres There Is
also an abundant supply Of sound pO-
tatocs and Of turf, which are appre-
eiablc clements Of comfort in the small
farmhouses and laborers' cabins
These advantages have had tranquil
ling and encouraging effect upon the
agricultural classes, who are heartily
tired Of political agitation, and dis
posed 70 apply themselves TO more
profitable pursuits There are many
satisfactory signs Of a beneficial
change IN the moral as well as the ma
tcrial condition Of the people. Not
tie least impressive Of these are the
willingness and comparative punctu-
ality with which rents are generally
PAID. the utter failure Of the attempts
which have been strenuously made to
revive political excitement, and the
greater readiness TO adopt the practi
al suggestions OF those who are com
petent 70 give good advice and have no
selfish object 20 gain.
Among the most active and success
fuI Of the agencies which are endeav-
oring 70 teach them better methods
and habits are the congested districts
board, the Royal Dublin society, the
various educational institutions and
Industrial companies for employing
teachers 10 point out the best systems
Of dairy farming and butter making,
establishing creameries, and eneOur-
aging small manufacturers and cot
tage work adapted to the eircum-
stances q the country. The well di-
rected efforts Of these several orCaniza-
tious are effecting a marked improve
ment everywhere, although no reduc-
tion has been effected in the amount
of actual pauperism, which represents
a stage Of almost hopeless destitutiOn-
Il appears from one of the last weekly
returns for the year that the number
receiving relief in the workhouses was
s2999. and outdoor relief IS, l65, which
Is a few hundred more than in the cor
responding week Of the previous year.
The general trade Of the country has
not shown much enterprise, but
though limited in volume, it has been
sound and steady. Except in two or
three instances there have been no
heavy failures during the year. Two
of the failures were those Of contract
ors. one Of whom was carrying ont
light railway work in the west Of Ire
land As rule, credit has been well
maintained and all the banks have
been able 10 pay good dividends, espc-
cially the Ulster companies, which
have given Is high as from 10 10 20
r.as- las.rrH