New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-19

this as men who ten years back came from
the farm TO these shops will shift as they can
on one or two days work in a week. hoping
for more. but refusing to go back TO the farm
Then we have men with little or no capital, who
rent buy farm on easy terms and have
children large enough to do most OF the work
without paying wages. The present low prices
Of farms are favoring them.
For the third class we have the who
come of line Of farm-owners. They live on
the same farm that has been in the family for
probably several generations. This class Of
men do not work hard as the other two
classes. They live well and educate their
children in high schools. and sometimes in col
leges. only TO them leave the farm for some
easier occupation From this class are OBJ
tanned many of the best business men. lawyers
and statesmen Of the country. These farmers
are seeing their capital vanish before their
eyes. for farms have so decreased in value that
in many sections they are worth less than they
were fifty years ago. think that this class of
farmers are the creates; sufferers from the
changed conditions that have come upon us
An era Of better prices. allowing more margin
between the wages it costs 10 grow a crop and
the selling price, is a necessity for thir pros
perity.
what special difficulties do they have?"
The difficulties which the farmer has to
overcome would fill page Of The Tribune.
He has always had to fight the soil, or,rather
coax 1t. dodge the weather. and determine what
crops will be the most productive on his land
but since the advent Of the potato bug coddling
moth and other destructive insects there has
been continual warfare with insect life. The
farmer has TO poison the destructive agents on
the majority of the crops which he grows. but
lacks OF the farmer, but there are even new
kinds constantly coming in. The last and most
dangerous Is the San Jose scale, which threat
ems to destroy every orchard in the State in
short period Of years If way is found to
destroy it, Assemblyman Wildes, Of our
county. will introduce bill for an appropra-
ton TO experiment with q parasite that has
had the desired effect In California. Obstacles
of this sort are, and have been. expensive in
volving much labor to the farmer. Improved
machinery has relieved him Of much Of the
drudgery Of bygone days, that he seems to
be able to hold up against the myriads in the
insect line that attack his prospects,"
in what direction do you look for improve
ment?"
LAS the chance for advance in prices seems
remote the income will have TO be increased by
larger production. This can only be done by
New-York and Philadelphia keeping their labor
ing classes well employed. the New-Jersey
farmer must depend on home market for
profitable crops. Wheat and oats can no longer
be grown at profit, and corn only in conjunc-
ton with dairying so he must grow that which
a market will give him advantage in.
Our farmers being rapidly transformed into
fruit and berry growers. truckers and vegetable
raSers."
do they complain Of high taxes"
Farmers assert that they do not receive any
more benefit from their taxes than when they
were not assessed more than One-half as much,
and there is a positive demand for reduc-
ton of expenses in both State and county gov
ernments No policy will satisfy them that
does not curtail all high salaries and lavish or
careless expenditures. The people in our agri-
cultural counties think the courts are expensive
I'm MANAGEMENT and too highly salaried.'
How about the earnings Of farmers"
.The men who board with the farmer earn
from sl4 to SIS a month. Those that have fami-
lies and board In their own homes get about
Sc a week house rent and firewood. day help
receiving 81 % q day. These wages are much
the same az for many years back. 1t is difficult
10 say what the farmers make but most OF .ne
hard-working. temperate. farmers MAKE IL
lie more than a living. although some seasons
rent or interest and taxes leave only uttIe
margin At such times they have to take future
prOsDects for profit