The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-08-22
Increase in Farm Values.

ord says:
The increase in the value of farm property of
$8000000,000 between 1900 and 1907 is nearly nine
times great the aggregate national banking cap
ta1 of the United States. Is is more than one-half
large the total capitalization bonds and stocks
included, of all the railroads in the United States
1t is nearly three times large the aggregate
ings banks deposits of the whole country. Think
for a moment of the increase, simply seven years
increment in the value of farm property being nine
times as great as the total national banking capital
of the United States, three times great all the
savings bank deposits accumulated during all the past
and half large the entire capitalization of all
the railroads in the United States, into which the
surplus money of the land has been pouring for
three-quarters of century.
In all the records of American development moth
ing is more remarkable than the advance made during
the last few years by the agricultural interests of this
country The story of what the farmers are doing
and of what they have accomplished within the last
few years is unmatched by the marvellous growth
in manufacturing. In 1890 the S,5650O0 people en-
gagged in agriculture in this country produced total
of 100000, average of $2S7 per capita.
In 1907 the II 991 900 engaged in agriculture pro-
duced total of 81, 412OOOOOO, average of $618
per capita. During that period the number of peo-
pie 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 80 per cent
In the brief period between 1900 and 1907 the value
of farm property advanced in value from $40 OOO
900 to $2S OFT 100000 gain of nearly 49, 900,
or 81 per cent, though the number of people en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits increased only Is per
cent.
A study of facts bearing upon agricultural condi-
tons since 1870 shows that in that year the value
of all agricultural products per capita to those en-
gagged in farm pursuits was S326 while from that
Eo,,r deCp tO IN
during the next 10 years the per capita practical
ly stationary, the average in 1890 was only S2o7
If reliable figures available they would show
marked decline between 1890 and 1885, because 1t was
during that period that the agricultural interests
reached their most acute stage of poverty. In those
years farm products, not only IN the south, but
throughout the country greatly depressed sell
ing in many cases below the cost of raising. Farm
lands likewise steadily deprecated in value. By
1900 however, there had come great change, due to
the advance between 1897 and 1900 and in the latter
year the value of farm products per capita S45
gain of $164 per CAPITA about 81 per cent COM
pared with 1890 Since 1900 this gain has continued
uninterrupedly rising in 1905 to $558 per capita IN
1906 to $579 and in 1907 to $61S Secretary of Agri
culture Wilson estimates the total value of this years
farm products at $8000,O0O,000, or gain of about
$500 100000 over 1907. Accepting Mr.. Wilson's hg-
ureS as correct though believe that they will prove
to be SMALL the per capita production will show
another rapid advance this year.
The effect of this really amazing change in agricul
tural conditions finds an illustration in the advance
in the average value of farm property to the number
of people engaged in agriculture In 1880 the aver
age per capita was $1579 By 1900 this had increased
to $685. in 20 years advance of $379 per capita
to those engaged in agricultural pursuits. Between
1900 and 1907 this increase continued at such rapid
rate as to bring the average up to $2341 in 1907
a gain in seven years of $3.50 per capita, which
larger increase for that period than the gain in the
20 years from 1880 to 1900 The actual gain in the
value of farm property since 1880 has been equal to
an average of $762 for every man, woman and child
engaged in agricultural pursuits
These q
the wealth of our farmers, amazing in its magn-