The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1894-04-07
GOOD YEAR FOR IRELAND
Peace and Prosperity the Rule
During 1903.


y
close has been remarkable rs one OF
the most peaceable and prosperous
which has passed within the century.
In view of recent occurrences it can
hardly be considered uneventful, says
the London Times, but these occur
rences were exceptional and do-not at
feet its general character. The people,
as a whole, have never been freer from
distress and the evils which follow in
its course. Since the year 1890, which
is treasured in remembrance, they
have not been favored with so dry a
summer or a season more favorable to
agricultural pursuits. Although the
total area under cultivation showed a
decrease of 5,S05 acres in cereal crops
and 1895 in green crops, and some of
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 mois-
ture from previous. years, which was
drawn to the surface and preserved the
vitality of the seeds and roots.
The result was hat the harvest was
saved in such good condition and so
much earlier as to more than compen-
safe for any deficiency in the acreage
under cultivation, which, after all,
was but slight. The total extent
under cereal crops was 1.489, ,30S acres,
and under green crops, 1,153,527 acres.
The extent under clover and grasses
was 642. 056 acres, being an increase OF
Is, ITO acres, and under hay or per-
manent pasture 1,525, 10s acres. showing
IN increase of e,184 acres. There is
also an abundant supply of sound po-
tatoes and Of turf, which are appre-
ciable elements. of comfort in the small
farmhouses and laborers' cabins.
These advantages have had tranquil
izing and encouraging effect upon the
classes, who are heartily
tired Of political agitation, and dis
posed to apply themselves to more
profitable pursuits. There are many
signs of a beneficial
change in the moral as we'll as the ma
terial condition of the people. Not
the 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-
cal suggestions of those who are COM
petent to give good advice and have no
selfish object to gain.
Among the most active and success
full of the agencies which are endeav-
oring to 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 to point out the best systems
of dairy farming and butter making,
creameries, and encour-
aging small manufacturers and cot
tage work adapted to the circum-
stances of the country. The we'll di-
rected efforts of these several organiza-
lions are ehecting marked improve
ment everywhere, although no reduc-
ton has been effected in the amount
IF actual pauperism, which represents
> stage Of almost hopeless destitution.
0ppC0XO AEOM OAC VI LAC A0oV WCChAt
returns for the year that the number
relief in the warehouses; was
l2, 900, and outdoor relief 5S,1 which
Is few hundred more than in the cor
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
IF the failures were those OF contract
DTS, one Of whom was carrying out
light railway work in the west of Ire
and. AS rule, credit has been well
and all the banks have
oeen able to pay good dividends, espe-
:ially the Ulster companies, which
nave given as high as from 10 to 20
ser cent.