The San Francisco call., 1895-11-06
F1zzLE FOR FARMERS.

The most serious complaint of the potato
grower this year is the low price of the product,
particularly in the Northwest. The report
from the departments agent for Wisconsin and
Minnesota represents that IN the latter State
the tubers ''do not pay for the digging" He
states that the yield is enormous, ION an
acreage three times as great as in previous
years." that hundreds of acres will not be
dug" and that "much of the acreage will go to
feed stock"
Here is another startling announcement on
the official authority of the Secretary of Agri-
culture III his september crop report. Can Mr.
Morton reconcile the above with the Demo-
cratic promises made to farmers in 1892, that
the value OF all farm crops would be enhanced
if the protectionists were turned out of office
and the free-traders installed in their
places? Potatoes "do not pay for digging"
says the free trade Secretary's report
Hundreds of acres will not be dug" even
when so much labor is idle and wages are so
m uch cheaper than they were in 1892. ''Mueh
OF the acreage will go to feed stock'-feeding
potatoes to stock as well as dollar wheat and
corn to be burned, too. Is there no hope for
the farmer? Let us see if the markets of the
world won't save him: Here are our exports
OF potatoes for the last five years:
EXPORTS OF POTATOES.
1891. l.........................S4l, S4l,lss s8l6,4S2
1892. 2..........................557 557,022 36l,37S
1875 S45,720 700,Ol3
1895 - 572'S57 1901
increased during the Mckinley tariff period
and how we captured half million more
bushels OF the potato markets of the world in
1898 than we did in 1891 Note again that,
directly the free-traders got their fingers on
the farmers potato crops, our exports fell off
and we shipped abroad 10000 bushels less
in 1895 than i'll 1898.
Perhaps, though there viii be q chance for
the farmers to capture the markets of the
world during the present fiscal year Mr.
free-trade Secretary Morton enlightens us
upon TINS point. His September report tells us
that 100000 hundred-weight of potatoes were
shipped to England during the first six months
OF thls year from Germany. he also tells us
that France shipped about the same
and Germany have got ahead of US. especially
cas- England has nearly an average crop of
very high quality, the market there is glutted
and prices are as low as $40 ton" This is
equivalent to 20 cents a bushel delivered in
England. II is not surprising that farmers,
particularly in the Northwest" when they
thlnS OF the freight rate from the Northwest to
LONDON and the cost of bags, commission and
insurance, are complaining of low prices.
A potato market at % cents bushel in Lon
don, less these expenses and the cost of seed,
lertlllZer ana labor, does not leave much mar
gin OF profit for the American farmer after he
has captured the markets of the world No
paying market in England, France or Ger
mauy, and Secretary Morton saws ait is up-
likely that we shall be able to dispose OF any of
our surplus in Europe" We thought the mar
kets OF the world were waiting for our surplus
products. Can 1T be that the market of India,
China and Japan alone are open to us? Must
we grow tubers to supplant the rice crops of
the Orient.
We cannot but admire Mr. Free-trade Secre-
tary Morton's candor in describing these free
trade conditions. varying greatly, as they
do, from free-trade promises of 1892. Secre-
tary Morton says that 'fthese conditions are
worth nothing" They are, Mr.. Secretary. The
farmers Will note them-Will note that ''these
conditions" are not theories.-From the Amer
lean economist, Friday, November l, 1895.