, 1909-12-30

Now that the year of 1909 has drawn to a close our people "a look back
over the events of the year and draw a comparison between the which
has just expired and previous years. 1909 as a unusually prosperous
for the whole country, but it was a record breaker for the Saratoga Valley.
The people hee did not know what they could do until they began to har-
vest their crops and sal that they were reaping a hundred per cent. more
than at any former time.
Heretofore, even in good seasons, when u people have raised crops they
have been up against a stone-wal. They could supply the home market.
When that was done they we're compelled to take any price offered them, or
let the crops stand in the stack. oil lie in cellars or bins. They we're absou-
ty helpless and att the mercy of any buyer that IA along. Now aud
to the railroad, but his expenses would Eat up the profits and he would re-.
turn poorer than when he went out. There a absolutely II incentive to
raise more of anything than what could be disposed of in the local market.
The advent of railroad into the valley has changed all this. Now we
have an outlet for the surplus and this fact has not only stimulated product
ion, but it has had an enGvening effect on prices. The home market is bet
raissd II the Ssra,oDa Vile taIIU " h"s m com .o nm "'i r. s% tn homs nsuhD ~
dull there is the outside market, calling for more and more, and the result is
road. We might enumerate scores of other instances wherein the S g. E.
Ry. has been a great helper toward general prosperity throughout the entire
valley.
Trade in all lines for the year has shown a substantial increase. The in.
crease during the fall and winter months of 1909 have been marked. At
least a hundred per cent. more of the products Of the valley have been mar
keted than during any previous year. Collections are good, because the
majority have money with which to pay. Labor has been kept busy. There
have been n o idle men.
The year of 1910 will show ven larger and better crops than 1909. Dur.
I'M. last spring and summer more than 10000 pounds of alfalfa aud other
grass seeds we're sold in the valley. That means that owe 1900 acres of al
iaifa, timothy, and red-top and bronze grass will be ready for harvest during
the ummer of the next year. Then we consider the matter from every stand
point the prospects for the year 1910 look very bright.
But do not forget that W are indebted to the S. d E. Ry, for this oppor-
tunity for advancement. 1t usually quite popular to poke fun at a small
railroad and to make bitter jbes at its expense, no matter how good the
service may De- Ill seems to be inevitable yett is perhaps n o worsein
this locality than any where else. But, suppose we were to wipe ut the
ron n end Of his valley to the other, that could be heard the length and
breadth of the Rock Mountain staesl What Go back to the old stage
coach LAY ana the SLOW, dragging frelghts! No for Joseph Let George
do it.
W-hoop!l therel Write it 1910.
Pay up your Oh ristmas bills and look pheasant, eve if it bankrupts you
Afterthought. a tardy enseo of prudence that prompts to shut his
mouth after he has put his foot in it-FooEsh Dictionary.
mat as a great old Christmas tree the Masons provided for the children
OF Saratoga last Saturday evening. They wer the happiest bunch of Young
'ters YER crowded into that hall and the event "a enjoyed almost is much
by the "grown-ups' as the small people.
The way to keep a good resolution lis not to break it, Tue way to keep
irom saying u-natured things is not to think them. If OF don't think
ugly Things you aeq quite uren not o say them, and thus save Others many
bitter moments and yourself the reflection that YOU have done an uniust
thing.
is going to fall to the lot of Uncle Samuel to look after the polc;,yo Of
h Centrala and South American states. Castro has been disposed of and
row Aeiaya las got hsn and gone. A good radiance to both of hem
There ire still a few fellows down in that neck of woods that will nead t
'entioh and they will get their deserts in good time and civilization will b.v.
DUeI SHOW Whnt v hhua IAn nnrAEna l