The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-12-26
WEALTH FOR
FARMERS
SECRETARY WILSON'S AN
NUAL HAS INTERESTING
INFORMATION.
Review of the Progress of Agri-
culture in the United States
During the Past Twelve Years.
Production Last Year Above the
Average.

AvS1QSCs
Washington, Dec. 19-After twelve
years of service as head of the depart
ment, Secretary of Agriculture Wilson,
in his twelfth annual report, renders a
comprehensive account of his steward
ship and presents review of the prog
ress of agriculture in the United States
during this period Concerning the
farm production of 1908, he says that
the farmer has created wealth by bill
ions. Production has been above the
average of recent years with few ex-
ceptions; and, while some prices have
fallen, others have risen.
The value of all farm products of
1908 reaches the most extraordinary
total the nations history-$7, 49,
900, OOO This is about four times the
value of the products of the mines.
The farmer contributes 81 per cent of
the raw materials used in those indus
tries which depend mostly or consider
ably upon agricultural materials, and
these industries use AZ per cent of all
materials used in all industries.
The gain in value of farm products
in 1908 over 1907 is 5000, 600, 900, and
would have been much larger had not
the prices of cotton and hay been low.
Progress of Decade
During the last ten years the wealt 1
production on the farms has been above
$50, 900, 900, 600
Greatest of all crops is Indian corn,
whose production this year is 2,643,
10000 bushels. The value of this
crop is $1,915, 900, 900. This wealth,
grown out of the soil in four months
of rain, sunshine and some drought, is
enough to cancel the existing interest
bearing debt of the United States and
to pay for the Panama canal and fifty
battleships. This crop is worth this
year nearly as much as the great crops
of cotton, hay and wheat combined.
The greatest hay crop in histocry has
been gathered this year, $4,000, 900
tons, or IL per cent above the average
for the preceding five years. Its price
averages So a ton less than it was a
year ago, but still the farm value Of
the crop is 1921, 900, 900, or per cent
above the five-year average.
Wheat is l q per cent above the five
year average in production and % per
cent above in total value. The 600, :
600, 600 bushels of this crop are esti-
mated to be worth $3.50, 900, 900 to the
farmers.
Although the oat crop suffered from
drouth, the value is 1921, 900, 900 for
789, 600, 900 bushels.
Cereals Product
All the cereals produced aggregate
1929, 900, 900 bushels, total that has
been exceeded three times, but the
value reaches So, 694, 900, 900, or more
than $500, 900, 600 above that Of 1907,
and exceeds still more the totals of
former years. Compared with the pre-
ceding five years, the value is higher
by 80 per cent.
Unfavorable weather made the po-
tato crop only 275, 900, 900 bushels, or
per cent below the five-year average,
although the value, $3.50, 900, 900, s 10
per cent above the average and was
never equaled bv any former crop.
The exports Of agricultural products
in the fiscal year 1908 were valued at
81, 017, OO0,O an amount greater
than any year except 1907.
The imports of agricultural products
in 1908 we're valued at $40, 900, 900 in
the countries from which exported, a
reduction of $87, 900, 900 below the
value of 1907.
The secretary concludes his review
of 1908 with these words: 'The far
mer had many reasons for his Thanks
giving in 1908, as he did in recent
years. He has reaped as we'll as sowed.
He has obtained more of the cans
with which to improve his farm, to in
crease his capital, to become a more
generous consumer of the goods of
other producers, and to add to the
things that count for a better ling
and more pleasant life
One of the subjects to which the Sec
rotary of agriculture is giving special at
tention is the so-called dry land farm
ing" In the west are millions of
acres of fertile soil so situated that
they can never be irrigated. IF farmed
at all, these lands must be planted
drouth-resistant crops and cultivated
according to the best moisture conser-
wing methods.
Dry Land Farming
The forage value of cactus has been
fully demonstrated and the details of
it's cultivation are now being worked
out. Special attention is given to
drouth-resistant cereals. AS result
of the first years work number of
varieties have been found which out
yielded the ordinary sorts by 20 to 40
per cent.
: The freight hauled to railroads over
wagon roads exceeds $50, 600, 900 tons
year, not including the immense tom
mage hauled to wharves and docks for
shipment by water With an average