New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-12-02
I'm FARMERS AID.
SECRETARY WILSON RENDERS
REPORT FOR EIGHT YEARS
FARMS INCREASING IN VALUE.
The Department Has Organized a Di-
vision to Test Road Materials
Highway Engineering.

Washington. Nov. 27.-The Secre-
tary OF Agriculture says that it is in
| the highest degree gratifying to pre-
sent evidence Of the unpreced ented
prosperity which has in recent years
rewarded the diligence of the farmer
| and the efforts of his department.. A
year OF unequaled prosperity has been
| added TO the most remarkable serles
OF similar years that has come 10 the
farmers of this country. Farm crops
have never before been harvested at
such high general level of produc-
duction and value. Corn has reached
its highest production, over 200, OOO,-
600 bushels, of total estimated value
of $1,216,O0O,000 Hay comes second,
with value of $6O5 100000. Cotton
is expected to yield $4,000, 900. The
short wheat crop of last year is fol-
lowed by one of 6S4000,00O bushels,
and its value, $525,O0O,0OO, overtops
the highest value ever before reached.
While only one crop-corn-reached
its highest production this year, four
crops-corn, hay, wheat and rice
reached their highest value.
No crop but corn produces the in
come that the dairy COW does. The
estimate of the dairy products for 1905
reaches $GG5, 900. The farmers
hen completes for precedence with
wheat, poultry products aggregating
half a billion dollars in value.
And yet,' says the Secretary, "the
story is not done" The wealth pro-
duction on farms in 1905 has reached
the highest amount ever attained by
the farmer of this Or any other coun-
try, "a stupendous aggregate of re-
suits of brain and muscle and ma
chine" amounting in value to $G,415,-
100000, an excess over last year of |
1856, 100000 The wealth produced on |
farms in 1905 exceeds that of 1904 by |
per cent, that of 1903 by per cent |
and that shown by the census figures |
for 1899 by SO per cent Should there |
be no relapse from this present posi-
ton as wealth producer three years
hence the farmer will find that the
farming element, about 35 per cent of |
the population, has produced an
vryf Of
equal to one-half of the entire National
wealth produced in three centuries
The value of horses and mules on
farms exceeded last winter $1,452,0 0O,-
900. Mich cows are advancing in
and are worth $4S2, 0O0, 900
The value of all other cattle is esti-
mated at $6G2 100000. Sheep are de-
Ginning in number and total value,
while swine maintain their previous
position, and are valued at over $685.
100000. In the aggregate, the value of
farm animals of all sorts has increased
over that given in the census of 1900
by 9 per cent.
During the last fiscal year, export
I'd domestic farm products were val
led at $S27,00O,OOO. This is below
he annual average for the five years
and the relative position
If farm products in domestic exports
g a declining one on account of the
,ain in exports of manufactures. New
,rtheless, during the last sixteen years
he domestic export of farm products
lave amounted to $4,000, 900, 900, or
i ,000, 100000 more than enough to
'uy all the railroads of the country at
heir commercial value, and this with ,
he mere surplus for which there was
10 demand at home During these j.,
ixteen years the farmer has secured
balance of $685., 100000 to himself,
ut of which he has offset an adverse 9
alance of s543,OOO,OOO in the foreign |
rade in non-agricultural products, I
urning over to the nation from his &C. {
cunt with other nations 5000, 100000 c
he exports of forest products were t
Sc, 100000. S