The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-09-29
FARMERSARE.
PROSPEROUS
William A. Lynch Dis
cusses Conditions
Amonu Farmers,

Lynch of Canton, banker and head OF
the great implement mandatory Of
the Aultman company, believes most
firmly that the present conditions in
the farming districts of the west pre-
cludes the possibility of any CONNER
cial distress in this country. Mr.. !
Lynch was the guest of Cleveland !
bankers, and in an interview gave
utterance to some new observations on
the agricultural prospects of the west
"In our manufacture of agricultural
machinery we find it necessary to keep
in the closest touch with the farmers.
On this account each week during the
crop season we receive detailed reports
from our selling representatives
throughout the entire west as to the
outlook of the current crops. These
reports have extended over a period of
a number of years. At the present
time I think that the condition of the
American farmer is the best that has
obtained in 20 years. l make this posi-
ful study covering that period. In
addition to being more free than ever
before of debt, the agriculturists OF
the west are today commanding a bet
ter price for their commodities than
at any time since 1895. Prior to that
time commodity prices were steadily
falling in this country. In that year
the turn came and since the tide has
been in the other direction.
CORN is SAFE.
Recently we have heard much of
the frosting of the corn crop in the
west The belief seems. to prevail that
when the frost has once come that the
corn crop is total loss. That is not
so. Last year there was a consloer-
able area in the west where the frost
damaged the corn. Yet wen then
there was far from an absolute loss
While the corn that is frosted will
not bear transportation, it still has a
considerable value for feeding pur-
poses. This year while frost has
created some damage, the damage does
not compare with that of last year
in proportion to the total yield. The
west will this year have greater sup
ply of transportable corn for the mar
kets of the world that it had year
ago with the record crop. 1t Is the
transportable crop that Is marketable,
and this is what gives rise to the
wealth. Agricultural products consti-
tute the great backbone Of the nations
prosperity, and from this we can see
that our prosperity cannot suffer con-
siderably in the next year.
"The relation of the area of crops
raised in this country to the demand
also bears a significance in this con-
!, nection.
TO INCREASE OUTPUT.
I. There was a long period of years
:, down to 1890 when the total area
!, planted to grains in this country stead
. lily increased beyond the consumption
|, of the production raised. This condi-'
! tion has in late years been reversed
with the result that the areas, increas-
ing as they do, do not keep pace with
the growing demand. This means. of
course. increased prices for the farm
. products. Europe has been forced to
= draw upon this country for grain, and
4 4 this disposition Of our surplus has
= aided the farmer from another quar-
a ter.
r From inquiries which we are al
: ready receiving for grain machinery
t for next season we are preparing to
9 increase our production. We always
: : base our output on these inquiries and
y this leads me to believe that we are to
1 enjoy with the farmer even greater
8 prosperity in 1904. Meantime there Is
nothing In sight but bounteous har-
vests, consequent heavy freight for the
railroads and an outlook for another
Q season of national property"