The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-12
A PAPER OF GREATEST IMPORTANCE
10 FARMERS.


A PAPER Oh GREATEST IMPORTANCE
40 FARMERS.
one Of the most valuable papers IL has
ever been our fortune to meet with is the
report on Agricultural Depression made
by George T. Powell, Esq. to the New
York Association for Improving the Con-
dition Of the Poor and published in their
Notes for April, 1896, at page %. 1t
contains more information that it is inn
portant the farmers OF America should
have than is to be found within the same
compass. We believe, anywhere else in the
world. IL would not occupy six pages Of
the Congressional Record. and we there
fore urge some one Of our members Of
Congress 10 have il read as part of some
remarks to be submitted by him so that
it may get into the record and then to
get bill through Congress providing that
the type shah be stereotyped and copy
shall be sent through the mails free TO
every person asking FOR one. II it were
i'm the hands Of every farmer in America
we believe it would produce a revolution
i'm economic conditions in the United
states.
We cannot within the limits Of this ar
tlcle produce any adequate idea Of the
paper, for every word of it is necessary
to approaching it, but We will mention
few of the facts he has given.
lie first treats OF the depression TO east
crn agriculture that was the necessary in
cident of the marvellous development of
the West after the war. Many facts of
the greatest importance are brought for
ward OF which we will only mention one
that in 1870. freight on bushel of wheat
from Chicago to New York was thirty
cents and on bushel Of corn twenty
eight cents. In 1890 the cost had been
reduced on wheat to fourteen and half
cents. a decrease of 81 per cent, and on
corn to eleven and third cents de-
crease of 80 per cent.
lie then gives some figures showing the
competitors which American wheat grow
ers have to contend with, and in this con-
nection he states that in the second week
Of July, 1894. there were shipped to the
English market from
India ............1, 10000 bushels of wheat.
Russia .......,..1 $4,000 bushels of wheat.
Australia .......3.S00,OOO bushels of wheat.
North America. 81. 100000 bushels of wheat.
South America. 100000 bushels of wheat.
And he adds that the statement accom-
panieo the South American shipment that
the wheat was grown and placed on ship
board for thirty-seven cents bushel,
with a profit of 80 per cent. on the money
invested. These figures ought to satisfy
the American farmer that it is not free
silver, but a suppression OF South Ameri-
can competition that he wants.
Mr.. Powell then takes up the losses to
our soil from taking cereals away and
failing To return fertilizers, and he pre-
sents this table;
In 1890 we exported
103flT11 bushels of corn, cost
ing i'm plant food. ,266, 715 bG
3l7C5. $50 bushels of wheat. cost
ing in plant fOod.............. 9,SOS, 1S9 .
A4SA.g2S bushels of oats, cost
ing i'm plant fOOd.............. l,SS2,52O 8
35J.SJ2 tons OF oil cake and veal
costing in plant food.......... 1911 500 81
Making loss TO our soil in
one year Of....................SSt,5 iO,Ulo Vi
in these three items only OF exports.
lie then goes into an examination OF
the loss TO our crops from insects conse-
quent upon the wholesale destruction of
our forests. which force these insects that
formerly fed on the forests 10 seek food
from our crops and the figures produced
here are tmply astounding, and they are
reliable also. His conclusion IS that our
annual loss from insect depreciation upon
agricultural products is over Si0OOO,oOO.
How is our condition 10 be improved?
Mr.. Powell gives the only possible an
swer. to-wit, by improving the knowledge
Of the people and teaching them how 10
graphic with the difficulties that the far
mer has to encounter. II Will no longer
do to tell u farmer who loses a fine cow
that IL had hollow horn" He must De
taught the methods of finding out that
his cow had tuberculosis, or Texas fever,
that he may kin that cow before she
communicates the disease 10 the rest OF
his herd. Mr.. Powels discussion Of the
importance of technical knowledge 10 the
farmer and the way TO give it to him. is
invaluable. Altogether, we renew our
suggestion that some one Of our mem
beers OF Congress put this paper in the
way OF being freely distributed 10 all the
farmers in the United States