Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1905-03-31

rather parallel to the valley OF the
Ohio than toward the south indeed
the center OF the number OF acres III
farms WAS located, as far back as 1891
In the county OF Breathltt, hehtuckyi
hut this was the farthest point reaehe"
in the south, since which year IL mas
gradually extended northwesteriy uh-
nh the last decade, when its tendency
was again slightly To the southwest
The center of the number or farms
Is now in Illinois and the center OF
the values In farm properties also re-
mains I'm that state, There are near
IN two billion acres OF lana III lhe
United States, of which to-day prom
ahly one-half Is In farms, and OF this
half the amounts of improved ana I'M
imnroyed lands are about the same
In n general way, therefore, II would
seem prudent for the New England
farmer TO keep I'm mind these nsures'
these movements and these Naiues
relating to agriculture, because thae
will tend TO impress MIN constantly
with the fact that there exists now
broad distribution In the competition
NJ products, He must remember that
the advantage is TO large extent
against him and in favor of western
farms In the growth of cereals, the
raising of beef cattle, the making or
pork and in what may be caieu the
economy of mechanical FARMING, quo
TO the nature of soils and the lay ana
broad sweep of lands. The sausiae-
tory thought about this Is, however
that there Is compensatory advantage
i'm the indissolube relationship LOT
success of farming, manufacturlis
and commerce which will tend to
eoualiZe the rewards of labor on sou
wherever expended and applied. Inc
farmer has unusual, indeed the lafs
est. financial and political interests
hut. while this is so, 1t is necessary
To recognize that this most indepeh-
dent of all our stalwart citizens may
not expect to unduly force the prices
for his products but that like all the
rest he must depend upon the ability
of the market to pay big prices anu
that will depend. in truth, upon the
average wage earning ability OF an
others except farmers and, TO cer-
tain extent, upon competition from
outside. l think such competition
ought. of rights, to be free, uhtralh-
melled and beyond the reach OF VIC
ious and selfish combinations. IN oruer
,bot tho farmer. who is bound to the
soil, may soonest and most regularly
have the full benefit of these equah-
cations in the value OF exchanges
which the law of compensation lilNa'
iably Yields, If left to work freely anu
wholly free from noxious control II
this is correct. it would be Wholly
,ronar to cite as one great need or the
New England farmer, as well as oi
any other farmer. or, Tor tnat i'ia''ei'
consistently this great law OF tne gen
eral economy and average advah'ase
and to use his power in politics always
couseryatively and courageousiy,
necessary. but ever with view 10 the
securement of equal laws ana gen
oral NOT a class or a sectional, pros
perity.
The Great Value in Local Markets.
Having noted the great effects ana
changes wrought by western eApaii-
sion and competition 1t Is next Heces
sarv to state, and to state eillpila'ieai
Elv that our local markets are tiie pes''
They constitute the points OF speeiai
interest and invite study OF what thes
need. what they will pay most LOT anu
how they can be kept and maintained
r,ha nearest market is the best, De
cause most reliable and costs less 70
reach For the same reason II ~ liosl
easily developed and can pc hiaie y
nav more for products IN inc oiuei
If their improved quality, Whlch 10
necially true of dairy, poultry a,lo
fr,it products. Visitors from 'iis
country to the city have often hotieeu
that in some of the great hoteis 'aia
tbis must he also true of many MONIES
Of any man, to consider always ailo
ond other places) the milk, cream
obaesa and butter supplied Is realiy
inferior to the same things "hicn ~
easily and much more lneApelisiNeis
obtained at home -, tn,
The question arises why sucll ~,
mediately local markets CANNOT "
dave1oped for better grades Oh piou
Its and at increased prices, anu
f,,n+,,ar why it should not be posi-
h1o n exclude many of the SO caileu
, ~. men SO as to result in more
a;ract deal or exchange between tne
aa,,s,,,,,er in the local market and the
producer on the farm.
few years ago | saw ~ ~ ~
Europe the cheese product Oh sese,a.
weeks work sold in open ilarhel ~
the farmers of very coiisiue, az .ns
section. The market was resuia'eu
bv government, which gave the FARMER ~
chance to benefit by an open anu ~
rect competition Of the commission
,,arcbants. There was no oppoftuiiits