The Morris County chronicle., 1907-12-03
OUR FARMS IN 1907
YIELO SEVEN BILLIONS
Secretary Wilson's Annual Report
Gives Dazzling Figures.
CORN is KING, HAY SECOND
Farmers Grow Rich-While Products
Are Smaller in Volume, Their
Value Exceeds Average
in Third Place.

Are Smaller IN volume, IneIf
Value Exceeds Average ge-Cotton
in Third Place.
Washington, D. C.-The farmers
of the United States poured into the
domestic and foreign markets during
the fiscal year of 1907 the amazing
total of $7,412, 100000 in valuation
of all kinds of farm products.
This unassailable evidence of the
remarkable prosperity of the country
figures in nard cash ten per cent.
more than the agricultural interests
of the country obtained for their
products during the fiscal year 1906.
Moreover, it is an increase of fifty
seven per cent. over the total realized
in 1899.
To the average mind the total valu
alton of farm products in the United
States in the fiscal years from 1899 to
1907, inclusive, is so vast as to be al
most incomprehensible. Secretary
Wilson, of the Department of Agricul-
ture, in his annual report, made pub
lie, gives this total as $53, ,000,-
900,
at is only by comparison, says
Secretary Wilson, that glimmer of
understanding can be given to such
numbers as the foregoing. Enough
is apparent, however, to make it plain
that the farmer of the United States
is in a business that counts for ma
tional welfare by providing the
wherewithal on scale of magnifi-
cence that defies the imagination to
comprehend.
Mr.. Wilson lays especial stress and
draws an interesting comparison in
figuring the value of the years corn
crop, which he estimates at 81 1885,
100000, granting that it sold at the
present average price This is an -
crease of twenty-six per cent over
the average value of the five previous
crops.
"Tha farm value of the corn crop of
eight such years as 1907" says Mr..
Wilson, would pay for duplicating
every mile of steam railroads in the
United States. and pay for their cost
ly terminals, rolling stock and all
property. In thirteen years it would
replace the present banking power
of this country in banking capital,
surplus, deposits and circulation, and
in seventeen years it would replace
the banking power of the world"
1t Is not hard to account for the
increased cost of living, after reading
the report by Secretary Wilson.
While crops in nearly every in
stance are smaller in volume than
the average for the past five years,
their total value is largely in excess
of the average, and even of the
bumper year, 1906. When, with
smaller crops, the Secretary says the
farmer this year will have more
money to spend and more to invest
than ever before, it is evident that
the increased cost of food products
Is being paid for by the consumer. W.
According to Mr.. Wilson, the year
has been one of untoward conditions,
requiring all the skill and industry
of the farmer to grow an average
crop. The struggle has been not only
one of an erratic season, but of a
scarcity of help in every State and
Territory in the Union.
The report pays considerable atten-
tion to the Durum wheat crop. This
species was introduced in this coun-
try in 1899-1902, having been
brought from Africa and Russia by
the department, at cost of $10, 900.
This years crop, covering 100000
acres, which was formerly the home
of the cactus and the prairie dog, is
worth $30,000,000, or more than
twice the annual cost of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. Europe took
more than 20.000,000 bushels, a
large amount of the product going to
its former homes, Russia and Africa
The growth of the beet sugar in
dustry in fifteen years has been won
derful. In 1892 the factories turned
out 3,460 tons, while this year the
product reached 100000 tons. Much
is said of alfalfa as a wealth-produc-
ing crop. The total crop for this year
is worth 500, 900, 900.
There are 100000 acres of land
under cultivation in the irrigated re-
gion, and the total crops are worth
more than SITS, 100000.
SWheat production was six per cent
less than the average, yet its value is
more than five per cent. greater, or
$500, 100000 in round figures.
The increased cost of products is
strikingly illustrated in the oat crop.
which was failure to a great extent.
While 1t is nineteen per cent. less in
quantity and quality. it is worth
twenty-siX per cent more than the
average. Cotton takes third place
among products, its value being about
0,000,O0O, ranking below corn
and hay. Rice took a big jump in
quantity, the production being ninety
eight per cent. above the average for
three years. This county now ex-
ports more rice than it imports.
The advances in the prices of but
ter and milk have made the dairy pro-
ducts alone worth $500. 900 900, or
much more than any crop save corn.
The egg and poultry products were
worth over half billion.
On value basis, farm and forest
products made up seventy-one per
cent. OF the total exports of the Uni
ted States, and the Secretary says our
foreign credit is mainly sustained by
our farmers.