The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26

In practically every line of production
prices are higher than last year; this con-
dftion, of course, adding TO the bank ac-
counts of those who have secured even fair
crop returns, but being of little significance
to those districts that have little or no crop
surplus above domestic requirements. The
advance in the price OF corn make the
aggregate value of the short crop almost as
great as the value of the larger crop last
year; wheat is higher: other cereals. roots.
hay, cotton, fruits, animal products, and
practically all farm products, are selling at
higher prices.
Our farmers are not in business for a
single year, and such is their present finan-
cial condition that the results of a single
season have but little significance. 1t is
only when comparison is instituted be-
tween their position now and a few years
ago that the true basis for rural thankful
ness can be appreciated. The farmers
prosperity is no little single-year affair,
based upon good or bad crops at home or
abroad. 1t is a great tidal wave that is
still sweeping onward, and a single year,
even though 1T were positively bad, in
stead of negatively good, could not check
it. II began in 1897 and has moved with in
creaSing volume five years of fairness. The
depths of agricultural depression were
reached in 1896, and it is by comparison of
the present situation with that existing
in that year that the true measure of the
farmers Thanksgiving may be appre-
ciated.
In 1896, a bountiful year. the corn crop
of the country was worth s491, 0O0.O 600 on
the farm; this year a short crop is worth
StOU,uVJ,bu. neat tnen ErOuSnL the farmer
1910, 900, 600: this year il nets him S420, 900, 900.
The cotton crop was then worth some
1926, 900, 900; this year something like $780,
Co., 600. The same condition runs through
the whole list of soil products, but the
prosperity is not alone shown in the an
nual products. In live stock, which i'm a
measure represents permanent capital, the
same showing is made. In 1890 the total
value of the live stock Of the country was
81, $780, 0, 600; to-day ii reaches the stupen-
dous total of fully 81, 500, 900, 600, and in this
extraordinary advance every class . is a
sharer.
The American farmer is thankful because
year after year his position grows better
from every point of view. His capital is
growing, his lands are becoming more valu-
able, his scale of living is advancing, and
his Intellectual and social advantages keep
pace with his improving financial position.
The farmer to-day is no longer an isolated
individual cut off by location from con-
slant contact with his fellows. The Cen
trail West is covered with a network of
wires that represent rural telephones and
rural exchanges by the thousand. and even
individual farms have their sWitchboards
so that different parts of the farm are at
all times in touch with the farmhouse.
Rural free mail delivery furnishes the city
morning paper almost as early as in the
city, and enables the farm wife to shop
by mail quite as readily and with less effort
than her urban sister.
Electric roads IN rural districts are a
thing of to-day, and tomorrow electric
lighting will supplant Kerosene.