Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-04-04
DON'T SELL YOUR FARM LANDS.
The Advice Given to All Owners by an
Eastern Financial Authority.

During the last year a great many
persons have come into possession OF
western farm properties throu.i fore
closures, says the United States InUestor.
As the present owners, to n large de-
gree. are residents of the east. their
only desire is to rid themselves Of these
holdings MS soon as possible. A word
OF caution to such persons may not be
out OF place. Real estate values in the
west are greatly depressed as a result
oi last years panic. In many localities
1t Is difficult to find purchasers at any
cost. Now there IL reason TO suppose
that eastern holders of western lands
may be deceived by s~harpers, making
use Of this very state of affairs. These
lands arc worth something to-day. and
later on they will be worth n great deal
more. 1T all depends on the ability of
the present holders TO carry them until
times improve. The danger is that GER
tain 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 10 holders Of west
ern farm lands is timely for a number
of reasons. La the first place, there is
every reason TO believe that the worst
that can be apprehended in connection
with the western situation has been
fully discounted in the drop in real es-
tate 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 a better demand for farm proper
ties. 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 immigra-
ton down TO a low point for a consider
able period. The fact. however, must
ever be kept in mind that this country
is the center toward which the popula-
ton Of the whole world is tending.
Coming years, therefore. must ineyita-
bly, witness n strong demand for farm
lands in The United States In this con-
nection it Is well TO bear in mind that
about ali the good government land has
been disposed OF, and that farms are not
going 10 be obtained as cheap in the flu
ture as IN the past, other things being
equal.
A great deal is being said 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 regions
in various parts of the world. 1t can
be safely said, however, that in the long
run this country will be able to hold its
Owl Temporarily, the American agri-
culturist may experience hardship. Ii
may even be admitted that prices of
cereals will permanently remain on a
low level. The situation will adjust it.
self in time. aud IL the farmer is obliged
10 take lower prices for his wheat and
corn he will obtain whatever commodi-
ties and services he may require at cor
respondingly reduced rates. 1t is idle
to attempt TO demonstrate that America
is about to take a second place as the
great food producing country of the
world. This fact should be kept in
mind by holders OF western farm lands.
Whatever may be the status OF their in
yestments to-day, it can safely be as
serted that five years hence will witness
prices considerably in xcess Of those
now obtainable.