Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-09-21

WHY THE FARM IS LESS PROFITABLE.
In attempting TO explain the diff
culties and endorsements which beset
the farmer to-day, do not propose to
canvass the various alleged causes which
tend 70 the diminution Of his profits, but
aim to concentrate attention upon one
which is 10 Itself sufficient for the differ
ence In the remunerativeness Of the
farm, ~ contrasted with that Of half
century ago. In those old days farms
were won. Now they are lost. Our
sturdy old grandsires mortgaged their
tracts Of wilderness to the patentees;
and, after long years Of hard struggle,
made the wilderness blossom, and rested
from their labors, leaving to their heirs
well. titled fields and substantial out
buildings and comfortable, comely
homes, aud sometimes snug invested
sum besides. Now the grandson Is re-
verting to the original type, and retrac-
Ing his ancestors steps. The sic
cumbrsnces" are getting on again, the
old feudal system is practically adopted,
and farmers are becoming mere tenants.
For this change the changed conditions
which exist to-day are largely answer
able.
Fifty or sixty or more years ago there
we're no railroads to afford practically
the transportation Of farm products.
Farmers had not time to carry small
quantities to distant market stations, and
the same want OF facilities prevented
buyers from coming frequently to them
Population Was sparse, aud there WAS
little home call for farm supplies. There
were no creameries, or opportunities 10
take milk TO large towns or cities, and
so the proceeds Of the dairy were con-
solidated into butter, which was care
fully packed away and sold 10 one pur-
chase TO some dealer In the fall, the
f.rmer receiving hi. money In one large
sum. Five hundred or seven hundred
pounds of butter figured up substantial
cash amount, which could be applied to
some defiuiic purpose or "saltcd down."
Now the c,sr Il altogether different.
The average farmer has very little but
ter 10 sell Not enough Is made on
adj ,cent farms tn supply the local de-
msnds IL modrrate-sized villsge. IL IL
less work 10 send milk TO cresmeries or
to the nearby railroad station than it Is
TO msk. butter. The few who do make
il self II In small quantities AS fast as IL
is mIrk.table. There Is great differ
ence between the rapid returns from
milk dealers and the desultory sales of
small packages from whst there was Ia
the old-,ime system, when bulky sale
brought In a bulk OF money. Thtre IL
difference in actual value, and there Is
difference In moral effect. There Is less
cohesion Ia small sums frequently re-
ceived than In the single sale with Its
larger purchasing price. What trickles
10 more ea.ily trickIes out.
The same principle holds true in an
other direction and department OF farm
interests. In old times drovers and cat
tie dealers went through the country
once or twice year collecting large
herds. They would visit each farmer,
gather up all he had for market, aud
pay him his price down, leaving another
good round sum for the ten or twenty
head, more or less, which he might have
at his disposal. Dr0ves Of cattle along
the highways were familiar sight thirty
or forty years ago. But they have
vanished now along with many other OF
the .old-time associations. There was
comparatively little ''veal"! exported
from the farm In those days, when there
was little facility for shipping II TO
market. "Ihe slaughter Of the inno-
cents was then on n very diminished
scale, and the msjority Of the adolescent
boyines graduated Into maturity. When,
therefore, the drovers came around on
their tours Of collection, they found far
larger proportion OF grown cattle than
can be found to-day, when the home
market Is larger and shipment OF calves
so easy. IL makes difference In the
farmers balance whether he sells calf
for Is or q steer for st0 And the
average difference In lifetime will very
materially affect the farmer In his busi-
ness standing, aud decide whether
mortgages 90 oil or 90 Gu.
Then, TOO, these changed conditions
affect the farmer In other respects. In
the comparative simplicity aud Isolation
Of former days the home establishment
WAS maintained nj far lower ratio OF
expense than IL eau possibly be to-day.
The farmer warmed his house with wood
from his farm, aud had wood to sell.
Now he has no wood for market, or
market for wood; and Instead must buy
coal. Tallow dips sufiiced for light,
where now he must pay out money for
lamps and oil. In 6ll times they raised
and spun lax and wool and made their
own garments. Now every article OF
app. rel Is an item Of expenditure.
.'There wasn't spring wagon In the
whole neighborhood," said an Old-time
farmer In q certain locality. I'VE used
TO 20 to church with OK teams" says
another. Now every farmers son must
have his buggy, and many OF them their
bicycle. Income and outgo have chang
ed their relative position. There Is no
call for lament over those departed days.
Life Ia brighter and more gladstone now.
The great social upllft which modern
development has brought makes life
worth more. Improved conditions OF
life, better.furnished houses, better
provided tables, the decay Of the deadly
irying-pan, and q generally advanced
hygiene, better school system and an ad-
vanced culture and refinement are not to
be regretted. But they cost more. And
20, while there may be other reasons, the
changed condition Of the times is one
sufficient reason why less money is salt
ed down on the farm and more evaporates
now thsn half century agO.-Tribune.
T. ruara pust not only demand 4