The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-13
Another View of Delaware County
Errmers

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The Journal Of Jan. 6 contained a quota
ton from the Munce Times relative TO farm
and other real estate values in Delaware
county. of this State. Comments from the
Journal follows. Believing that the facts
were overstated by the Times. and that the
deductions drawn were. consequently. OF err
roneous application, 1 ask the liberty OF
publishing counter opinion through your
paper. The Times says:
The country around u.s. in fact the farms
Of Delaware county. are perfect garden
spots. They are under the highest state OF
cultivation, and wheat the farmers raise
and have to sell finds good market Al
nome. As Muncie grows so the lands
increase in value, and the greater
the growth the greater the value.
You do not find farms for sale now.
with almost entire neighbOrhoods moving
TO the West as was the case ten or twelve
years ago. The population OF the county
has increased five-fold in that period but
mere mas been little change IN the county.
The Journal ADDS that 'the increase in
the price OF land in Delaware county shows
the value of home markets, and the impor-
lance of developing them by legislation
Having been in daily contact with the agri-
cultural classes for many years. and hav-
Ing scrutinized the various phases OF their
circumstances from an impartial standpoint,
L believe the prosperity of the farmers OF
the county In question, as well as elsewhere
throughout the country. to have been great
ly exaggerated by the public press for the
past several years. This is my excuse for
reply In the present instance.
In my judgment IL would be OF great benz
ent TO all of our Industrial classes for the
90 per cent or urban population to see and
konw the exact status of the A per- cent
who cultivate the farms. The great Ginger
OF the age-repletion of city population
Will not be cured by the f1attery OF news
papers and by the distortion of The facts
70 rrf1o Of 10.
an average, are not i'm as good repair or
| as perfect a state OF cultivation to-day as
they were ten years ago, before the deyel-
opment OF natural gas and before Muncie
attained any of its late phenomenal growth.
This position will scarcely admit OF serious
discussion by those VINO have watched the
transitions OF country life here during the
| given period.
Second-The home market afforded by the
city OF Muncie has been OF but little per-
'ceptible value TO the Delaware county
farmer in the disposition OF agricultural
| products. Dairy and horticultural products
have been in greater demand. but not 70
the financial advantage OF the farmer: for
| he who has abandoned general farming
for trucking" and butter-making has been
the loser: Competition and low prices have
| already driven many gardeners and Jersey
| cow breeders back to the production Of
| corn, hogs. wheat and cattle
sK es rraa tne ponula1 OF c ngnels
| ago, the value or farm lands In the county
outside. OF the towns has gone the other
| office show that the average value OF lands
| in Delaware county in ls9i-the first as
| sessment under the present tax law-Nss
\ $3oW per acre. Those of 1895 place the
/ average value of farm lands ~ Sz1oi Per
acre Could we thus trace land values FIVE
years beyond 1891 we would find much
moro marked decline than has taken place
during the half decade given
| Fourth-Farms DO not sell in Dels ware
because there are fewer purchasers. even
| at the reduced prices The writer has
| known OF well improved farms on the Mis-
| sissinewa river changing hands al so per
| acre within the past few months The
same land would readily have brought so
| twelve years ago.
| Fifth-If the population of the county has
increased FIVE fold In the past ten years. az
| the Muncie Times AYERS. such growth Is
due wholly to the accretion OF town and
| city Inhabitants. The figures are not at
| hand TO verify the statement. but there
! can be no reasonable doubt IN the mind
| of any one familiar with the facts that the
| farming population OF Delaware county.
| at this date is less than II was ten years
ago; and that there are now three tenant
| farmers for each one that resided in the
| county in 1885.
| i hope this criticism Is not made with the
spirit OF fault finding: neither does u ind
! impulse I'm the common motives OF the
| calamity bowler" 1t Is for the sincere
| purpose OF challenging tina. which the
I writer believes 10 be misinformetion OF the
| public. The veracsty or the papers herein
| quoted Is not for a moment called into
question. but the views taken are certainly
not warranted by ample Investigation
LEWIS \. DAVIS.
Farmland, Ind. Jan. j.