The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-09-11
WESTERN FARM LANDS.
Owners Are Advised Not to Sell
Them at Present.
Coming Years WIN witness . Strong De-
m2nd for Farms and Prices VIII
Rule Much Higher-xhe
Present Situation.

During tho last year a great many
persons have come into possession of
western farm properties through fore
closures, says the United States In
vestor. AS the present owners, to q
large degree, are residents of the east,
their only desire is to rid themselves
OF these holdings as soon as possible.
A word of caution to such persons may
not be out of place. Real estate val
ues in the west are greatly depressed
as result of last years panic. In
many localities it is difficult to find
purchasers at any cost. Now there is
reason to suppose that eastern holders
of western lands may be deceived by
sharpers. making use of this very state
OF affairs. These lands are worth
something to-day, and later on they
will be worth q great deal more. 1t
all depends on the ability of the pres
ent holders to carry them until times
improve. The danger is that certain
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 to
holders Of western farm lands is time
ly for number Of reasons. In the
first place, there iAevery reason to be-
lieve that the wortth can be apprc-
hended in connection with the western
situation has been fully discounted in
the drop in real estate prices which has
already taken place. Owners of land
should be on their guard against any
and all attempts to convince them that
prlces will go lower. The chances are
that values will enhance rather than
depreciate. In some localities there is
already reported to be q better demand
for farm properties 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
immigration down to a low point for a
considerable period. The fact, how
ever, must ever be kept in mind that
this country is the center toward
which the population of the whole
world is tending. Coming years, there
fore, must inevitably witness strong
demand for farm lands in the United
States. In this connection it is well to
bear in mind that about all the good
government land has been disposed of,
and that farms are not going to be OBJ
tanned as cheap in the future 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 re-
.sions in various parts of the world. It
can be safely said, however, that in the
long run this country will be able to
hold its own. Temporarily, the Amer
lean agriculturist may experience hard
ship. 1t may even be admitted that
prices of cereals will permanently re-
main on a low level. The situation will
adjust itself in time, and if the farmer
is Obliged to take lower prices for his
wheat and corn he will obtain what
ever commodities ard services he may
require at correspondingly reduced
rates 1t is idle to attempt to demon
strate that America is about to take
second place as the great food produc-
ing country of the world. This fact
should be kept in mind by holders of
western farm lands. Whatever may be
the status Of their investments to-day,
it can safely be asserted that five years
hence will witness prices considerably
in excess of those now obtainable.