Arizona silver belt., 1894-10-13
WESTERN FARM LANDS.
Owners Are Advised Not to Sell
 Them at Present.
Coming YsArs wm witness a strong De- mand for Farms and Prices VIII Rule Much Hlgher-The
 Present Situation.

During the last year great many persons have come into possession of western farm properties through fore closures, says the United States h. vestor, As the present owners, to a large degree, are residents of the cast, their only desire Is to rid themselves of these holdings as soon as possible, A word of caution to such persons may not be out of place. Real estate vail ues in the west are greatly depressed as q result of last years panic. In many localities 1t Is difficult to find purchasers at any cost, Now there is reason to suppose that eastern holders of western lands may be deceived by sharpers, making use of this very state of affairs. These lands are worth something to-day, and later on they will be worth great deal more. It all depends on the ability of the pres ent holders to carry them until times improve. The danger is that certain parties with long purses and long heads will magnify the unfavorable side of the situation for the purpose of frightening timid investors into throw ing over their western lands at merely nominal prices. A word of caution to holders of western farm lands is time ly for a number of reasons. In the first place, there is every reason to be, lieve that the worst that can be appre. hended in connection with the western situation has been fully discounted in the drop in real estate prices which has already taken place. Owners of land should be on their guard against any and all attempts to convince them that prIces will go lower. The chances are that values will enhance rather than depreciate. In some localities there is already reported to be better demand for farm properties, Prices are bound to be low for several years, but, there is good reason to believe, with an upward tendency.
 The financial depression in the United States will undoubtedly keep immigration down to a low point for a considerable period. The fact, how ever, must ever be kept in mind that this country Is the center toward which the population of the whole world is tending. Coming years, there. fore, must inevitably witness strong demand for farm lands in the United States. In this connection it is we'll tc bear in mind that about all the good government land has been disposed of and that farms are not going to be ob' tained as cheap in the future us in the past, other things being equal,
 A great deal is being Baid at this time regarding the sharp competition which the American farmer Is going to en. counter in the future as the result of the opening up of new agricultural ra. Cicns in various parts of the world Il can be safely said. however tha 70 the long run this country will he able tc hold its own. Temporaril :. the Amer, ican agriculturiSt may Experience hard ship. It may even 1e admitted tha, prices of cereals will permanently re main on . low level. The situation will adjust itself in time. and if the farmer is obliged to take lower prices for hi. wheat and corn he will obtain what ever commodities and services he may require at correspondingly reduced rates. It is idle to attempt to demon 9trate that America is about to take a
 e1ond place as the great food produc. lue country of the world, This fact
 hould be kept in mind by holders ot western farm lands Whatever may be the status of their investments to-day it can safely be asserted that five years hence will witness prices considerably in excess of those now obtainable.