Bisbee daily review., 1909-08-19
THE FARMER OF TODAY.

In the continued rising tide of pros pcrity, as announced n every trade and crop report. the center of interest for the last few months has been the tilIer of the soil From being figure regarded with mingled pity and i'm patience, in view Of his downtrodden and apparently apathetic condition. he has become an object of respectful attention. So far as this country is concerned, at least, the ..Angelus" and "The Man With the Hoe" are portrai- lures of one who was, rather than a contemporary being, and the "Old Homestead promises henceforth to appeal only to the reminiscent senti- ment that stin finds pleasure in "un- Gle Toms Cabin" and other such pre- sentat.ons of days that are past
 It may be worth while to consider the reason. or, rather. reasons, for this change Foremost must be placed the act that the best and richest of the vast public domains of the country have been taken up. Much govern -nart land is stiIl. nnoccupied, bat tas true natural farming country has been largely absorbed The United States has been open-handed in its policy with regard to its public lands, and the agricalturaiists of this and other countries have taken advantage of the liberality, until now there is not so much remaining to give away or to part with for a nominal sum. Proof of this IS found in the increased mi grafton to British Columbia The fer. tility of Manitoba's wheat lands has long been known, but Americans are loath to leave their native soil so long as equally good opportunities are found at home. Another proof is found in the irrigation projects nov under way in the semiarid regions of the West, the development of which as practical measure would not have appealed strongly to the farming ele' ment so long as plenty of good land remained unentered in the regions oi sufficient rainfall.
 These facts being granted, the rap i'd enhancement in the value of farm lands generally in recent years is easi ly understood. The Western move ment having been checked to a con siderable extent. the lands farther East have naturally become more and more valuable. and there is no reason to look for decrease in values Goo< times or hard times, the farmer mus fare well with anything like present prices for his products. Not so man, years ago the rich bottom lasds O Ohio, for instance, could be bough for s100 to $50 an acre, but thes, prices have duobled where the land | for sale at all. The truth is. there i no better investment possible, of l; thoroughly safe character, than il such holdings. It will take but fes good corn years. at present prices. al ter deducting the cost of raising. t repay such a cost, while in a year O moderate yield a dividend of 10 pc cent on the investment may reason ably be expected. With wheat at it present price. and, considering tn cost of raising that crop. the yield from wheat lands will give even bel ter returns.
 Another matter worthy of mentio is the improved methods employed O the farms In bringing this about. tn greatest credit must be given the D. partment Of Agriculture. which has ( late years been carrying on an unceai ing campaign of education Durin the incumbency- of Secretary Wilsol who rightfully deserves the title ( .the farmers friend" no opportunir has been neglected to introduce int the agricultural districts the best DO sible systems of blowing, seed sele tion, cultivation. and so on The ia mer has much yet to learn, but he
 learning fast, and the old sloven
 ways are fast giving place to intel
 gent and scientific methods. Theol and practice have been so wisely COT b.ned in these instructions that u farmer has received object lessons cannot decry; nor does he want to.
 The era of prosperity has met Il farmer first Should hard times com