Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-10-06

dollars and cents OF ten classes Of farms.
this inquiry shows that the grand aggre-
gate Of increase of all classes Of farms rs
more than $4,000 10000 OF which more than
two-thirds Is contributed by the increased
values OF hay and grain farms and those
devoted TO live stock. The tobacco farms
increased S57,O00OoO; fruit farms. seLo00,oo0.
vegetable farms, Si3.0O0,OO0. dairy farms,
tsee, 0O.m0, and the cotton farms s46,oOO,COO.
The farms devoted to general purposes.
including a small number OF minor spc-
cialties show an increase OF s7SS,oOO,oOO
Price OF Farm Products.
In the general matter OF pnce OF farm
products brought out by the inquiry. II Is
shown that for a number of years farming
has been performed under disadvantages.
and these conditions existed up TO within
very few years. The prices OF farm
products up to within the last few years
ranged so low as to cover but little more
than the economic cost OF production, and
in many instances crops were sold at
prices below the cost OF production An
illustration OF this is given by citing the
case of sales OF cotton at ~ cents a
pound seven years ago. II appears that
In 1895, at the end of the period covered
by the investigation, prices OF farm pro-
ducts had advanced, and that the farmer
is now getting fair net return for his
labor in farming operations in most pro-
ducts. This condition has been reflected
in the higher capitalization of agricultural
land. This conclusion is not advanced
theoretically" the report says "but Is
amply sustained by the reports Of many
thousands OF correspondents in all parts
Of the country, and of all classes of farms.
for which there has been a considerable
increase In the price of products"
Cause and Eject.
In considering the variety of causes which
have operated to increase or depress the
values Of farm lands mention is made Of
the depressing effect induced by the large
quantity of cheap public lands which have
been constantly upon the market until the
quantity of those lands is now rapidly d.
minishing. One of the influences towards
improving farm values is found to be the
tendency towards lower rates Of interest
for money, and another is the city demand
for country homes. Full consideration is
given of the effect of better farming. which
has attended the betterment in agricultural
conditions. One of the causes of deprecia-
ton in some sections is attributed to the
scarcity of farm labor, as well as the bad
weather conditions and the visitation of
injurious insects. In a synopsis showing
the prevailing expressions used by corre-
spondents In showing the causes OF in
creases in values, these typical comments
are noted: Improvement in cultural method
improvements; new or expanding manufac-
turing industries in nearby markets; raising
sugar beets for sugar factories; railroad
construction or extension, or other i'm
proved facilities for transportation; higher
price Of wheat and other products; i'm
provement in roads; substitution of truck
farming for extensive agriculture; increase
| of local loan capital, causing decrease in
the rate of interest; better machinery, in
| Guiding implements not before in use. Men
| ton is also made of the influences of rural
electrical railways connecting with towns
and cities, also rural telephones and mail
| delivery. Among the causes of decrease in
value is noted the devastation by insects,
including the cooling moth and the boil
weevil; deterioration of farms. owing to
| tenancy; high and increasing wages of farm
labor; poorer cultural methods: waste and
habitual neglect; exhaustion of lands; re-
moteness from railroads; scarcity of water;
depression in prices of certain specified
crops.-New York Evening Post.