Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-01

is Sc, 131 100000, more than two-thirds of
which is contributed by the increase for
hay and grain farms, 1888, 100000, and
2,263, 100000 for live stock farms.
This Increase of more than six billion
dollars in the value Of farm lands In
the five years ending with 1905 is in
striking contract with what took place
IN the four years of Democratic tariff
making, 1893 1897. In those lean years
lean for the wage earners and there
fore lean for the farmers-the decline
in value of farm products was esti-
mated at between $4,000,000,0OO and
100000, 900. American labor was
earning less and eating less. In that
same lean period of free trade tariff
revision the depreciation of farm land
values was not less than $5,000,000,000
Total loss to the farmers Of the United
States in four years of downward tar
if revision, ten billion dollars.
All of this gigantic loss was recov-
cred in the four years Of protection
prosperity following the election of
President Mckinley in 1896. In the
next succeeding five years, ending with
1905, years Of Republican protection
prosperity, there has been a further
gain of more than six billions in farm
land value and of probably four bill
lion dollars in the values of farm prod
acts.
Counting the money lost, 1S93-1S97
Gree trade period, $10,O0000O, 900,
and the money gained back again and
increased beyond that by the huge gains
since 1900, and we find that restored
protection to labor, to industry and to
the products of agriculture has been
worth twenty billion dollars to the
farmers of the United States!
Says the report of the Agricultural
Department, lately issued
Increase in Value for Five Geographic
DEisions.-Nearly four-tifths of the ma
tional aggregate increase in value of farm
real estate during the five years is found
in two groups of States-the North Cen
trail States, with more than half of the
total increase, or 1882, 100000, and the
South Central States, with one-ffth of
that increase, or S1,201, 100000. The
South Atlantic and Western groups of
States have nearly the same increases
S514,OOO,OOO and $500, 100000, respective
ly The smallest increase is left to the
North Atlantic States, where a net gain
of S344, 100000 remains after deducting
some reported decreases in value.
in fa val
been greatest in those sections where
the largest growth of manufacturing in
dustries has taken place-in the North
Central and South Central States. The
more factories, the better for the farm
er; the nearer the factories to the
farms, the greater the demand for
farm products at highest prices.
Among the causes of increase in farm
land values given in the report under
consideration are the following:
New or expanding manufacturing in
dustries in nearby markets. (Result of
Protection.)
Raising sugar beets for sugar factories.
(Result of Protection.)
Improved economic conditions general
prosperity. (Almost wholly the result OF
Protection.)
Higher prices for products. (Chiefy
due TO Protection.)
Some details of these higher prices
are found interesting. In 1896 (free
trade tariff period) corn averaged 21.5
cents a bushel; five years later, 1901
(protection period, the average was
60.5 cents a bushel. Oats were worth
1871 in 1896, and 1919 in 1901. Wheat
was 500 cents a bushel in 1885, and
92.4 cents a bushel in 1904. Eggs
brought 1863 cents dozen in 1896, and
Bis cents dozen in 1905.
The average prices for 1901 1904 were
far greater than for 1S95-1S99. Corn
i(aot counting the extraordinary price