The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-26

During the last year great many per-
sons have come into possession OF western
farm properties through foreclosures.
says the United States Investor AS he
present owners, L. Il large decree. are
residents OF the east. their only desire IS
20 rid themselves Of these hol iinss as
soon as possible. \ word of caution
10 such persons may not be out OF place.
Real estate values I'm the west are great
ly depressed as result OF last year
panic. In many localities IL Is dlIhcult
10 find purchasers at any cost. NOW there
is reason to suppose that eastern holders
OF western lands may be deceived ny
Sn1rperS. making use OF THIS very state
OF affairs. The e lands are worth some
thing to-day. and later on they VIII ne
worth great deal more. 1t all depends
on the ability Of the present holders 10
carry them until times Improve. me
danger Is that certain parties win long
purses and long heads Will magnify the
unfaYOTable side OF the situation for the
puruOse of frightening tmid investors
into throwing over their western ldnds
at merely nominal prices. \ word or
caution t. holders Of western farm lands
is timely for a number OF reasons. IN
the first place, there Is every reason ID
believe that the worst that can be APP
pretended I'm connection with the western
situation has been fully discounted i'm the
drop IT. real estate prices which has al
ready taken place. owners Of land should
be on their guard against any ana all
attempts L. convince them that prices
viii go lower The chances are that val
ues viii enhance rather than deprecldte.
Ia some localities there Is already reported
10 be a better demand FOR farm proper
ties. Prices are bound 10 toe low Tor
several years. bat, there is good reason
70 believe. with an upward tendency.
The financial depression in the Jnlted
States will undoubtedly keep immgra-
ton down TO low point for consider
able period. The fact. however, must ever
be kept I'm mind that this country is the
center toward which the population or the
whole world is tending Coming years,
therefore. must Inevitably witness
strong demand for farm lands in the
United States. ln this connection il is
well 10 bear in mind that about all the
good government land has been disposed
Of and that farms are not going 10 ice
obtained as cheap I'm the future as IN
the past other things being equal
\ great deal is being said al this time
REGARDING the sharp competition which
the American farmer Is going 10 encounter
IN the future as the result Or The OPEN
ing up OF the new agricultural regions
in various parts Of the world. IL can
hc safely Sati, however. that so She long
run this country will bee able tO hold Us
own. Temporarily. the American aerl-
culturall~t may exp rlcnce hardship. u
may even Dee admitted that prices OF
cereals viii permanently remain on a low
iavcl. IHt situation VII adjust itself ln
time. and II the farmer is obliged to take
lower prices for his wheat and corn he
viii obtain whatever commodities ana
services he may require 20 correspond
ingly reduced rates. 10 is idle 70 attempt
20 demonstrate that America is about
TO take second place as the great food
producing country " the world. This f1ct
should be kept in mind by holders OF
western farm lands. Whatever may he
the status ~ their investments to-day, |
it can be safely asserted that 1--WE years
hence viii witness prices considerably |
in excess Of those now Obtainable.