The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-27
Another Farmer Testihes

Richard Coles, Of Woodstown, ~
an Agricultural and dairyman. appear
ed before the Industrial Commission
last week aud gave testimony concern
ing farming conditions in his State
he said that general agricultural con-
ditions were not rs good AZ formerly
The prices to be obtained for farm pro-
ducts are lower and the wages Of labor
are higher The cultivation of cereals
is not as profitable as in years past
owing~to the competition OF the Western
grain growing States The truck far
mer has suffered from the competition
Of the Southern States, and within
recent years the dairymen have been
forced to compete IN the Philadelphia
market with those In more distant sec
tions Of the country Milk is shipped
into Philadelphia from distance of
two hundred miles at cost for trans
portation Of about the same as Is charg-
ed for carrying 1t twenty five miles
The witness thought that the only
remedy left to the farmer is careful
study Of cheapening the cost Of pro-
ductiOn.
lie also expressed the belief that q
high tariff law on all products which
can be grown in this country would
remedy the situation. The farmers. "
said he. want the same protection
that other industries receive - lie
believed in the passage and enforcement
Of pure food laws, which would make
it unlawful to adulterate products and
sell them as genuine. On the whole,
however. the condition Of the farmer is
good. and he has nothing particular TO
complain Of, the witness said. In
southern New jersey the labor Is not
as efficient as formerly. owing to the
best farm hands having sought EN-
ployment in the factories Of the towns.
The new class Of laborers is slow but
fairly Trustworthy. Many Of the sons
Of Immigrants are acquiring farm lands
in the State They make fairly good
citizens
Within the past twenty five years the
price Of farm lands has decreased about
% per cent The hours Of labor have
grown, due to the shortening Of hours
In other Industries The home COM
forts and educational conditions are
much improved over those Of twenty
five years ago, however. and are con
tinually tending toward higher
plane
Mr.. Coles thought the tax laws Of New
Jersey were about as equitable as they
can be made but expressed the belief
AT the same time that some Of the as
SCISSORS do not do their full duty, max
ing in some instances unfair valuations.
At the present low prices OF land,
man can purchase a farm, paying
part down and giving a mortgage IN
lieu Of full payment He can thus
make a good living, pay the interest
and save something, toward paying the
principal The witness spoke highly
Of the educational system Of New Jer.
sey and advocated the establishment of
further facilities for industrial iDstruc-
tion.
He expressed the belief that OF fam
lily of sons, some Of whom enter other
employments aside from farming and
some Of whom engage in agriculture,
those who remain on the farm are as
we'll of in every way as those who
give up tilling the soil to follow other
pursuits
Mr.. Coles believed that If high pro-
tective tariff were placed on wool and
ether products which might be raised
in New Jersey, the farmers OF the
State would be much benefited New
Jersey is peculiarly adapted to sheep
raising, he said, and should a high
enough tariff be placed on sheep pro-
ducts a prosperous industry could be
built up. He also thought that fbrous
plants could be grown with success.
The farmers of many parts Of the
State are troubled with the dogs of
the sportsmen from Philadelphia and
New York, who hunt small game in
the country In south Jersey, sheep
ranch was started few years ago, bat
proved failure ON account of the mum.
arora do.a rhinh tornnntad the stnck