Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-28
DEPRESSION IN AGRICULTURE.
Tux CAUSE AND THE REMEDY.

There are differences Of opinion about
the cause of the depression through
which the farmers Of this country and
Europe have been passing, and from
which they have not yet emerged; snd
also different views In regard to the
proper remedy. Some tell US the cause
is r-production-that the worlds
producers have been producing more
than the worlds consumers could con-
sumo, and consequently lowered the
prices. Ii this Is true the apparent
remedy would be to lessen the number
Of producers, and increase the number
of consumers-in other words let more
Of the boys leave the farm for the rail-
road or workshop. Others say there has
been no over-productiou, that the
trouble is caused by uRder-eoassDtptton
that the laborers who work In the mines,
factories, aud machine shops, not having
had regular employment or high wages,
have been Obliged to stint themselves
with food and live on half rati0ns.
People can stiut their stomachs oaly
for short time; they must have enough
OF something 10 eat, or will soon give
up the ghost. That something, whether
IL be potatoes, turnips, or something
cheaper, which they feed upon, would
soon be in greater demand and likely to
increase In price. There Is not much
evidence that low prices OF farm
products are caused by under-consump-
ton.
Some think that the low prices for
everything which now prevail were
caused by the demonstration OF silver,
and that nothing but free coinage will
restore them 10 the proper level; but
the fact is silver has aot been denone-
tizei. There Is more silver in circuls-
ton now than ever before, and silver
dollar will buy AS much OF everything
person can eat, drink or wear, as gold
dollar There has been no contraction
of the currency. There Is as much gold,
silver, and paper money IN this country
as ever, aud II all passes readily st Its
face value.
Low prices are not merely confined TO
farm products. All the manufactures OF
iron, steel, wooleu, cotton, glass and
wood, have probably fallen In equal pro-
portion To wheat, corn sbt v"ison.
Everything the farmer has to sell, or
buy, Is much lower than formerly. IL
ia only taxes that have stsid up to the
high water mark and continued TO rise
above IL.
IL NAV be that the invention aud
general use OF labor-ssving machinery
in all branches Of human industry have
had much TO do with the fall in prices.
The use of the spinning jack and power
loom has enabled the manufacturers OF
cloths 10 make them cheaper, aud sell
them cheaper. The sewing machine has
reduced the cost of making clothes, the
nail machines for making nails, snd so
all through the list. There Is not much
doubt that the use of labor-savtDg ma
chimes aud implements on the farm has
lessened the cost OF producing grain, nay
and potatoes, and enabled the farmer
still TO sell his products at small profit.
IL labor-saying machines are To blame
for the hard times, then the only sp-
parent remedy is 20 smash the machines,
or leave them in the fence corners TO be
destroyed by rain and rust.
IL Is generally supposed that the
prices for everything are regulated by
the law of supply and demand. This Is
directly true only as regards goods that
are soon perishable, or things which are
put on the market and must be sold at
some price to raise money. Markets
vary from day 20 day, according to the
quantitv Of goods forced on them, but
the principal and Inevitable regulator
of prices is the cost of production. IL
cannot BE- otherwise. No man will
make. or produce, thing for long
4 al e. Co. ha -
could not do Il IL he would. No matter
how large his capital, IL would bank
rupt him. Every person who produces
articles 10 sell, or handles the products
OF Others, must get the price they cost,
and a reasonable profit, or he will soon
be sold out BY the sheriff and go to the
poor house.
When the manufacturer sees that he Is
making goods faster than they are con- |
sumed, he stops his mills for time TO
let the market become more active.
When the shrewd farmer sees that more |
whest is raised than Is needed TO bread |
the world, he feeds part Of his crop to
his livestock, and sows fewer acres. |
The aim OF every person Is, and ought
10 be, TO produce things that are wanted, |
aud which sell at a reasonable profit.
WILL BETTER FARMING PAY:
A farmer who was asked to subscribe |
for farm paper replied: II know how
10 farm as well as anybody can tell me.
know how to farm better than do"
why don't you farm your best!"
II can't afford il. l have some fields |
that would be better for undertaking, |
but have not the capital TO do it. Com |
mercial fertilizers might increase my
crops, as they do for others, but 1t takes
about all the money can raise TO buy
clover seed and pay taxes and store bills.
Better farming requires the expenditure
of more labor, and wages are too high In
proportion 10 the price OF farm products:
II hired man for year and worked
with him, IL would take all we both
raised TO pay his wages, my taxes, black
smiths and grocery bills. IL he was
prudent in his expenditures he could lay
up 500 in n year and In few years buy
INV farm. Men and women who work
for wages can lay up money. My wife
and have TO work for our board aud
clothing, and not very good clothing at
that. IL don't pay farmers 10 hire any
more than they can possibly help" /
"Why don't you sell your farm and
work for wages yourself?'
MY farm would not bring more than
half the money l paid for it, and
thought | made good bargain. The
value Of farm lands has fallen, because
the price of farm products has fallen.
have an elephant on my hands, and must
keep it,"
'.Why don't you give better tillage
and more manure to fewer acres, and
thereby double your crops! Why not
raise 30 bushels of wheat per acre In
stead of l5?'
III should think that question was
about worn out. Agricultural writers,
and speakers at farmers Institutes. have
been telling US for two years that the
way 10 increase our incomes, and make
better times was TO double the yield OF
grain and hay from the acre and the
number of pounds of butter from the
COW. They ought to know that better
farming pays up 10 certain point, after
which the Increased cost Of cultivation
and fertilizers overbalsnces the increased
value Of the crop. Feeding cows better
paws Up TO certain point, and farmers
generally find out about where that
point Is, and practice accordingly.