Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-04

worm IN StnSr vs. or 20 While
AGRICULTURAL exports the past IL months
reach in the neighborhood of $780,
100000, by far the greatest on record,
this was partly due to phenomenal
crop shortage abroad, I'VE look for
| an industrial activity early this fall
quite Unparalleled" says the New
England Homestead, with quick
markets at home and abroad for the
surplus OF American farms. We find
no reason 10 anticipate higher or
fancy prices for produce, but with the
economy In production and market
ing brought about by recent improve
ments and having regard also to the
EhEaQNCss of manufactures (also due
to inventious) and the ease OF money,
our deliberate conviction Is that the
average American farmer Is to have
the largest prosperity he over en-
joyed. This forecast is measured
by the standard OF the present, by the
eNchangeablo power OF farm products
for the products of labor In other
vacations"
Tho balance Of trade In favor Of
the United States during the past two
years is over 1000 millions OF dol
lars. From the resumption OF specie
payments up to July I, 1898, tho
United States has imported some
S50,000G00 worth OF gold more than
1t has exported, to say nothing Of
the large additions OF gold from
American mines, amounting to from
so to 80 millions yearly. This with
the immense excess Of merchandise OK,
ports, may welt raise the question
whether the United States has not
practically paid up her foreign obliga-
tons, what she owes abroad being
offset by what foreigners owe our
people 80 that the United States may
enter upon the new century n crcdi-
tor nation.
There Ia brilliant promise for
the largest tonnage OF crops this year
ever produced In America, Prices
bid fair to be reasonably we'll main.
tanned. compared to tho low values of
1929, indicating total return for
staple crops alone of 500, 000, 900 moro
this season than last year Rail-
roads may justly expect large
traffic. and some remarkable figures
are given as to the earning capacity
OF railroads under assured conditions.
Even II the world should have n
bumper crop OF wheat, It's supply for
the two years ending June 30 next
would be some l00,000,000 hushels
less than for the previous two years
period Of advancing prices, indicating
that the fair prices paid for the 1896
crop (GS to 9S cents at Chicago) are
likely for the present crop.
Tho advance In tho value of agri-
cultural lands Is noticeable, with a
more active buying demand for Inn
proved land, in view of the compare
tive scarcity of available public
lands. The live stock industry Is
again furnishing, with n great revival
In the breeding of thoroughbred stock
The strongest possible confirmation OF
these results and future prospects
says tho New England Homestead, Is
afforded by our returns from n ma
jority Of the leading firms In al
branches OF the agricultural trade
particularly In the western and middle
states. Most of these returns go Into
considerable detail. and give a very
farmers Finances. They show that
trade with the farmers has increased
this year from 10 to 800 per cent
over the corresponding seven months
OF last year. Only in one or two
cases Is business reported as less
than last year. and these were fol
special causes. The universal re-
port is more business. In few cases
manufacturers OF popular speclaltIos
for farmers are making three or -four
times az many sales as I'm recent
years, The general unanIml'y In re
porting an increase OF trade is proof
conclusive Of tho accuracy Of all
other evidences OF larger purchasing
/ power among farmers.
All returns agree that collections
are easier among farmers than for
years Those who do cash business
/ Will lHt GOuHtIy lTHHC HBFce ub lO
the improvement In the situation. A
large proportion of the trade In i'm
plemcnts and other bulky goods IL on
time, but In this line OF industry also
collections are from 25 To 100 per
cent. better, while some report col
lections absolutely perfect The
prospects for agricultural trade are
believed to be the best In years.
No exceptions to this. opinion are
expressed In the more than 500 re-
turns at hand. Many concerns were
forced to run their factories overtime
the past winter and spring and even
then some could not keep up with
| their orders In several cases goods
for next springs trade, which usually
are not manufactured until winter,
are now being made up during the
otherwise usually dull period In such
factories. This confidence In the
future is expressed by all branches
OF agricultural trade--implement
vehicles. dairy and poultry goods.
fencing, etc. II Is strongest In the
Ynfdd1o md tunaIarp 81 hut