The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-24
FARMERS MOST
IMPORTANT To
THIS COUNTRY

even The American farmer HIM
self as an individual does not appreciate
what an important part agriculture plays
nthe business of this country
In the national house of representatives
when the agricultural bill was under dis
cussion, facts and figures were given
which show that the farmer is responsible
in very large degree for the wonderful
progress and prosperity of the country.
In hsi remarks on the bill Congressman
Lever said
'In 1850. half century ago, the NUMBER
of farms In this country was little less
than 1,50c 900. Today there are more than
5,5O0.OOo contributing their daily bounty to
the nations comfort and wealth. Fifty
years ago there were I'm cultivation only
29O. 10000 acres Of land, as against the
more than Sal 100000 acres in cultivation
today.
In 1850 the total value OF all farm prop
100000. That capital has been increaseo
by the business capacity of the farmer
until today IL exceeds the grand total OF
So, 100000 900. This is the farmers record
as a business man.
within the memory of most OF those
who do me the honor to give their atten-
tion TO this statement he has brought un-
der his sovereign authority and subjected
II to his will an empire from whicn no
levies the tributes which have added so
much to his own well being and the hap
piness OF mankind.
I'm this short period he has increased
his capital six times over and brought to
the aggregate of national wealth more
than twice as much as have the railroads
OF the country and three times as much
as have the manufacturing interests. not
withstanding the fact that these last
named industries have always been Pc
culiarly favored by the government
THE farmer has received OF the govern
ment little of its care. ffe=has not sought
II nor has he complained, or is he COM
planning now.
Sixteen years ago, according to the
census reports the annual value OF the
products OF the farm amounted 10 go
400, 00O.O 900. This is an enormous sum-
but II does not approach theachieve-
ment of the farmer ais wealth pro-
ducer In the year just closed when our
farms yielded a wealth valued at So
1l5,O0lO ZOO.
In this short period the farmer has
trebled the producttveness of his capital
and in one year wrung from the soil pro-
ducts the aggregate OF whose money value
h. only a third less than the total capital
accumulated by manufactures during the
entire existence OF the Country
THE earning capacity OF the farmer
during last year was more than thee
times as great as the earning capacity
of the railroads OF the country for the
same time. and the value OF hks crop for
that year was sufficient to cancel the
mortgage indebtedness of the United
States I'm 1890
'It was enough to pay three times over
the national debt OF the country and TO
bear the burden of conducting the govern
ment for Period OF eight years Does
this look lige the farmer b. not a good
business mann He ls the most productive
agent Of our country"
The record Is not complete Secretary
Wilson. I'm his annual report, in speaking
OF the increase OF farm values-that IT,
the additions the permanent capital in
vested In agricultural pursuitc-said:
Every sunset during the past five years
has registered an increae"