Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1894-05-10
PRICES AND PRODUCTS.
Past and Present Comparison
of Farm Expenses and
Revenues.
Marked Decrease in PurChaS.
ing Power of the Farmers
Products.

Editor Alert:-Many readers of The
Alert have no doubt noticed letter in
the Pioneer Press, written by man whom
the Press characterizes as "a level
headed farmer" He gives figures to
show that he can buy certain articles
that farmers used for less number of
bushels Of wheat now, than he could in
the 7O's, when wheat was about ST. 90 per
bushel. The Pioneer Press takes up the
theme, editorially, in it's usual grand
mother style, didn't tell you so? We
have called attention to it many times"
With your permission l will give
comparative statement in the same line
of what l have done.
In 1892 I bought binder, paying
1920 for 1t. That year sold my wheat
in the market for Sc cents per bushel; it
therefore took 372 bushels to pay for it.
| In 1892 bought another binder of the
same kind and size and equally as good
for $135. [ sold my wheat that year for
So cents per bushei; it therefore took 254
bushels, or 119 less to pay for that
binder than it did for the first one.
According to the reasoning of the
Press and ''the level headed farmer" I
made larger profit on my wheat of
1892 than ten years before. The facts of
the matter are, and the Press editor
knows it, too, that the farmers tools,
machinery and stock are part of his
plant or capital invested, and prices Of
same effect the comparative profits OF
his crop only as 1t would increase or de-
crease the interest and wear and tear,
which must be charged to the cost of
production of crop. The main Item OF
cost of production of wheat is labor, and
that they have carefully avoided men
tionlng.
In 1882 could hire man to harvest
per day for the value of 215 bushels of
wheat; in 1892 it took the value of
nearly four bushels.
In 1882 threshing 100 bushels of wheat
out of the shock cost the value of IA
bushels, nearly IL of crop. In 1892 it
cost the value of nearly q bushels, or
over Is of the crop.
In 1882 man could be hired per month
for the value OF 35 bushels of wheat; in
1892 it took over AZ bushels.
In 1882 one bushel of wheat would buy
AZ pounds of twlne; in 1892 but four
pounds
These are the main cost of production
of wheat, and using the reasoning of the
Press, the cost had Increased wonder
fully, while in each case the cash price
was less than ten years before. Now,
these expenses of production must be
paid off before binders, mowers or any
thing else can be bought. The Press, or
any one else, that talks otherwise is like
the typical Johnny that "cried because
be could not eat his cake and keep it,
too."
! It follows that what had to pay for
those binders with was only the profits
on the crops.
1t was estimated by many farmers that
in 1882 wheat could be raised at cost of
50 cents per bushel-the profits on SSS
bushels paid for the first binder. Con
servative estimates placed the very lowest
cost in 1892 at As cents, requiring the
profits on 1867 bushels, pearly twice as
much, to pay for the last binder. Some
farmers are SO unfortunate as to have
debts, perhaps contracted as long ago as
the 70's. The Press and their level
headed friend have failed to tell us how
many bushels wheat it would take to pay
a debt in the 7O's and how much now,
but talk glibly about mowers costing l2O
bushels wheat IN the 70's and Is bushels
now. Suppose some mortgaged farmer
should conceive the idea of paying off his
debt in some Of these Is bushel mowers
at their value at time debt was contracted,
and should step up to the captains Office
and say, "Well, Mr. Tickleheimer, 1 have
brought you lot of mowers to pay off
that debt" Methlnks hear the answer,
as of yore, Ills not so nominated in the
bond-give me my pound OF flesh
Gold. Yes, gold is thu pound of flesh
that concentrated capital. with Shylock
greed, is cutting away from nearest the
heart of the nation-the farmer. Alas,
no Portia holds aloft the scales of justice
now.
| An administration and congress are
conspirlng with these modern Shylocks,
and applauded by such Iscariot friends
to the farmer as the Pioneer Press, to
the end that this "laud OF the Free may
become the possession of few aristo-
cratic landlords, and the home of NIL
lions of tenant slaves.
They also give comparative prices of
articles consumed by the farmers family
and clam this saving helps to swell the