Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-12-06
RICHES FOR FARMER.
YEAR JUST CLOSING SHOWS BIG
GAIN OVER 1905.
Agricultural Products of the Conn
try Valued az S6,794 900, 900
Nearly Every Farmer in the Mid

Prosperity reached out with boun-
teOus hand into the agricultural re-
gions of the country during the last
year and made 1906, from the stand
point of the value of farm products, a
record-b breaker in the annals Of the ma
tons wealth-producing achievements
This announcement is made in the an
nual report Of Secretary Wilson. Ma
ture gave in such a lavish manner that
1908. the country's banner year in the
march of prosperity, is left in the rear
and 1906 is given the place of honor
with an estimated margin Of S4S3.OOO-
coo over the value Of farm products
produced year ago
Taken at that point in production,
says Secretary Wilson, ''at which they
acquire commercial value, the farm
products of the year, estimated for eV-
cry detail presented by the census, have
farm value of S6,794 100000. This IS
S4S5. 100000 above the value OF 1910,
$3.50 100000 above 1904, SST1 100000
above 1903 and SPOT 100000 above the
census for 1899. The value of farm
products Of 1906 was per cent greater
than that of 1905, 10 per cent over
1904, Is per cent over 1908 and Al per
cent over 1897
Value of Crops Rush Up
The economic revolution in the art
and science of agriculture continued
during 1906, with tremendous results
on the national prosperity. The value
of crops continues to rush forward be-
yOnd comprehension crops are strain
ing the freight carrying ability OF the
railroads. Corn remains by far the
most valuable crop, estimated at Sl,lOo,-
100000. Next comes the cotton crop,
which. including the seed, should be
worth to the growers nearly $640,000.-
600. The value of hay, which is third
in order, approaches S6OO,0Oo,oOo.
Wheat. the fourth crop, may be worth
S45G 100000; oats, $300,000O00; peta-
toes. S150,O00000. Barley, with value
of $50 100000, shows a gain of p per
cent in production III the last seven
years. The tobacco crop will be worth
about $40, 100000. A remarkable deVeI-
opment is that Of the sugar beet, now
the ninth crop in value. The produc-
ton in 1906 is placed at 345,000 long
tons, valued at S34 100000 Seven
years ago the value Of this crop was
81 100000 The value Of all kinds OF
sugar. sirup, and molasses aggregates
$50 100000.
Farm Exports Break Records.
The farm still oyershadows the mill,
the factory, and the workshop in pro-
viding exports, and with his surplus
beyond the nations need the farmer
has loaded the fleets of oceans For
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1906, this
surplus has been exported to the value
of $976,0O0,000, the largest amount ever
reached by agricultural exports for this
or any other country and exceeding the
export value Of 1901, previously the
record year. Among chief exports cot
ton maintains a long lead, with value
of $4O0,OO0,000 The packing house
produces exported amounted to a value
Of $207 100000.
If real estate domestic animals, 9th
er live stock, implements, and machin-
cry are included, the farmers capital
has increased since the census valua-
ton by probably $4,000 100000, the pres
ent valuation being probably $4,000,
OO0 COO
The report contains some interesting
figures on meat production, the result
of 8 recent large and searching investi-
CATION by the department In the last
census year, 1900, 93,502, 900 meat ami
mails were slaughtered and exported.
Meat contributes one-third or more of
the total assimilated nutrients of the
national dietary. and at average ex-
ceeded $2,OOOOO0,O00.
The laws made by Congress at its
last session to be executed by the de-
partment, Secretary Wilson says, have
required and received special attention
| The meat law is being enforced, and
inspection is now made in over 1000
houses. Not less than 1900 eXperts
have been added to the inspection force
Rules have been prepared for the exc
cutiOn of the pure food law. A begin
ming has been made in the method Of
determining the grading Of grain, and
the law providing for the humane
treatment of live stock in transit is re-
ceiving careful attention.
Airship the Poor Mans Auto.