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

Ba 'timore, August 12.-Under the
heading Americas Amazing Agri-
cultural Advance" the Manufacturers
Record in tomorrow's issue will say:
The increase in the value of farm
property OF $S,O0O,OO0.OOO between
1900 and 1907 is neadly nine times as
great as the aggregate national bank
ing capital of the United States. 1t is
more than one-half as large as the to-
tai capitalization, bonds and stocks in
cluded, Of all the railroads in the
United States. 1t is nearly three
times as large as the aggregate saw
ings-bank deposits Of the whole
country. Think for a moment Of the
increase. simply seven years incre-
ment, In the value Of farm property
being nine times as great as all the
savings-bank deposits accumulated
during all the past and half as large
as the entire capitalization Of all the
railroads in the United States, into
which the surplus money Of the land
has been pouring for over three-quar-
ters Of century.
In all the records Of American de-
velopment nothing Is more remarkable
than the advance made during the
last few years by the agricultural in
terests Of this country. The story of
what the farmers are doing and Of
what they have accomplished within
the last few years is unmatched even
by the marvellous growth in manufac-
turing. In 1890 the s.5s5.00 people
engaged In agriculture in this country
produced a total OF $2.466. 5000. 900. or
an average Of $2s7 per capita. In
1907 the 11.ss1.000 engaged in agri-
culture produced total of $7.412,-
100000. or an average OF $61S per
capita. During that period the num-
ber Of people engaged in agriculture
increased by 40 per cent. while the
value Of farm products increased by
200 per cent. and the value Of all farm
property increased by 50 per cent.
In the brief period between 1900
and 1907 the value Of farm property
advanced in value from $20,4ss, 900.
600 to $2S.077. 900. 900, a gain of near
ly $4,000. 100000. or 81 per cent,
though the number OF people engaged
In agricultural pursuits Increased on.
ly Is per cent.
A study Of facts bearing upon agri-
cultural conditions since 1870 shows
that In that year the value OF all
agricultural products per capita to
those engaged in farm pursuits was
sS2e. while from that figure there was
a rapid decline to $3.50 in 1880, and
during the next ten years the per cap
ita was practically stationary. as the
average in 1890 was only S2s7. II re-
liable figures were available. they
would showsa marked decline be-
tween 1890 and 1896. because IL was
during that period that the agricultu.
raj interest reached their most acute
stage Of poverty. In those years farm
products. not only In the South, but
throughout the country. were great
" depressed. selling in many cases be-
low the cost Of the raising. Farm
lands likewise steadily deprecated in
value. BY 1900. however. there had
come q great change. due to the ad.
vance between 1897 and 1900, and
In the latter year the value OF farm
products per capita was S4sl. q gain
OF $164 per capita. or about 81 Der
cent. compared with 1890. Since 1900
this gain has continued uninterrupted
~. raising in 1905 to esss per capita,
in 1900 to &67s and in 1907 to Ss1s.
Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson esti-
mates the total value OF this years
farm products at $1,000. .ooo. 900. or a
gain OF about &s0O.00o.00o over 1907.
Accepting Mr.. Wilson's figures az cor.
rect. though We believe that they will
prove to be to small. the per capita
production will show another rapid
advance this year.
The effect Of this really amazing
change In agricultural conditions,
nnds an illustration In the advance
IN the average value OF farm property
IN the number Of people engaged in
agriculture. In 1880 the average per
capita was Sl579. BY 1900 this had
increased to $1s5s. or in 20 years an
advance OF 1919 per capita to those
engaged in agricultural pursuits. Be.
tween 1900 and 1907 this increase
continued at such a rapid rate as to
bring the average up to $2341 in 1907,
or gain I'm seven vaaro ~ 1900 oor