The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

employees, making a great gain in the
number OF consumers of farm pro-
ducts, and the gradual elimination of
the cheap lands Of the West by settle
ment, and the food Of gold pouring
into the worlds channels Of trade, we
nave had combination circui.
stances which have united to bring
about much higher range or values.
The consumer of farm products is no
longer rejoicing in the low prices
which prevailed IL or Is years ago.
The farmer is now having his in
nings, and though the condition works
hardship upon many consumers, it
Is great blessing to the country at
large. 1t should he a matter Of gen.
eral rejoicing that the farmers are on
rising around financially.
Economic conditions practically as
sure continuation Of increasing
values of farm lands, of an increas-
ing demand for farm products, grow
ing more rapidly than the production
is likely to grow, and thus a continued
high range Of prices for practically
all the products Of American farms.
The consumer can no longer hope to
get his cotton goods, his bread and
his meat at the low price Of 1896. We
have been paying through an econ
omic revolution, or evolution, to a
higher range Of living. This neces-
sarily means a higher range Of prices
of farm products and a higher range
OF wages for mechanics.
With the agricultural conditions Of
the country In such fundamentally
sound position as indicated by the fig
ures which we have given there can
not be any such long period OF indus
trial depression as we had in former
years when the farmers were the
poorest people in the land. With the
certainty, OF crop yields. which in the
aggregate will give US the greatest
amount of railroad tonnage and the
greatest value to farm products which
We have ever had, nature has laid the
foundation for greater expansion Of
industry.
In the 20-year period between 1870
aod 1890 the gain was only $500, ,000,-
600; in the 30-year period between
1870 and 1900 the gain was only $2,-
So0,000.000, whereas in the eight
year period from 1900 to 1908 the
gain was $4,000. 900. or $500, ,o0o,-
600 more than for the 80 years from
1870 to 1900. Beginning with 1900
every year has shown a steady and
rapid increase. And in nearly every
year the gain over the preceding year
exceeded the total gain Of 20 years
between 1870 and 1890.
Probably nothing more forcibly IL
illustrates this marvellous change than
the fact that the value Of the agricul-
tural products Of the South alone,
which will this year be between ST.
ESQ 100000 and $4,000. 600. 900. will be
more than the total for the United
States in 1880 and about the same as
for the entire country as late as 1890.
In 1890 who could have dared to pre-
dict that the value Of the south's farm
products for 1908 would equal the to.
tai for the United States in 1890?
That the South, with 100000 popu-
lation, IL producing as much value in
agricultural outturn al the United
States with 100000 people did in
1890 is one Of the amaxing facts OF
ouh history. In 1890 the value Of ali
agricultural products outside the South
was $l,ess, 900. 900. or at least 5000.
100000 less than what the South alone
will this year produce.
Much, however. as the farmers OF
this country have accomplished In the
marvellous advance shown by these
figures they are only at the beginning
OF their progress. Within the last
Ave or ten years there has been a ra-
pid growth in scientific farming. Un.
der these conditions there is an in
creasing average yield per acre. We
are preparing for an increased yield
much greater than the increase in
acreage. At the same time millions
OF acres Of hitherto waste lands are
being made available for the most
profitable Of agricultural pursuits
Irrigation in the semi-arid regions OF
the West is turning a desert into
fruitful orchards and vineyards yield
ing immensely profitable crops. What
irrigation is doing for dry land recla-
nation Is beginning to do on a still
| more profitable scale for wet land
The country has learned that II ia a