The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-11-13
DEPRESSION IN
AGRICULTURE
Subject is Discussed by Indus
trial Commission.
CAUSE OF STATE OF AFFAIRS
EASTERN FARMERS DO NOT
KEEP UP WITH TINES.

Washington Nov. 12.-The industrial
commission today made public its re-
view of the evidence taken before the
commission on the subjects Of agri-
culture and agricultural labor. Among
other subjects discussed is that OF
agriculture depression, of which the
commission speaks as follows:
The cause most often assigned for
the depression Of agriculture in the
eastern states is the increased produc-
ton due to the opening Of lands in ad-
vance of the natural demand. especial
~ through the agency of liberal land
laws and grants of land in aid of
railroad construction. The competition
of the west has been rendered especial
" severe by the policy of the railroads
In making freight rates relatively low
for long distances. The old staple pro-
ducts having thus become Improbable
in the east, it has been necessary for
farmers to change their methods and
vary the character Of their crops, TAX
ing up especially the culture of
products which are not easily trans
ported long distances.
Thus truck farming has largely su-
perSeded cereal growing along the At
iantic coast. but farmers in the north
Atlantic states now complain OF the
severe competition of states further
south in this industry, and much the
same may be said of fruit growing.
Even so perishable a commodity as
milk is transported much longer dis
tanees than formerly since the intro
duction Of refrigerator cars.
Conservatism of Farmers.
Another cause which several wit
nesSes assign for the unsatisfactory
condition OF agriculture in some parts
of the country is the conservatism of
the farmers, their lack of quick ad-
Justment to changed conditions and
lack of effective business planning. The
farmers as a class have not kept up
with the times, but have raised the
same crops year after year without
regard TO changes in supply and de-
mand- This undue conservatism and
lack Of managing ability among farm
ers Is especially emphasized with refer
ence to the southern states, and is given
as an explanation of the too exclusive
attention to cotton production prevail
ing there.
Another cause assigned for agricul-
turaI depression in the south is the
scarcity Of money, the difficulty of
borrowing on real estate security and
the consequent high rates of interest.
1t seems possible. however, to borrow
money in the south at somewhat lower
rates Of interest than formerly. The
decline in the price of cotton is of
course an important element in the de-
preston Of agriculture in the south.
The insufficiency of negro labor is
assigned as another cause. On the other
hand il is affirmed that there is too
much good and cheap labor in the
south A surplus of cheap labor is
said to be unfaVOrabIe to the success
of agriculture. because it results in
planting too large an acreage with
neglect Of personal attention by the
planter Against the charge that farm
eTs are undUly conservative, is put the
counter charge that they turn from
one crop to another without sufficient
regard to the suitability of the climate
and soil or to the conditions Of the
market.