The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-27
BIGGER CROPS NEEDED.

IOpeka mlIlerS voice the opinion that
high-priced wheat is here to stay a
similar sentiment has beer expressed
from time to time of late by Mr. Wheat
Bull Patten and others who are sup
posed to be qualified to talk in the
premises. This is not an encourage g
prospect for the persons of slender
means in this and other lands. And
they are in the great, great majority.
They might be able to stand increased
prices in the wherewithal to make the
staff of life If that was the only COM
modify in which prices were high. I'm
fortunately, it is not. High prices pre-
vail in the realms Of all of the nec.s-
stiles of life.
A great measure Of the responsibility
lies at the door Of the farmers of the
world. This fact is being pointed out
these days by all economists of repute.
High prices will continue to prevail in
many Of the various commodities and
articles that are necessary to the main
tenance of life and living in civilized
communities until there is a materially
larger production Of the things from
which these commodities and articles
are made. A large share of this in
creased production must be made by
the farmers.
More wheat must be raised; more
corn must be raised: more everything
from which eatables and other necessi-
ties are developed must be raised before
the high prices of today are reduced to
any considerable extent. In the United
States there IS plenty of land yet avail
able for the raising of all kinds of
crops. This is true of other countries
in the world. The possibilities are also
great through more scientific farming
for the development Of bigger yields
from the acreage under cultivation at
present. And farming is also excee l.
ingly rerunerative when the prices for
farm products are not as high as toey
are today. Even with lower prices
farmers could make more money in the
aggregate if they secured larger yields
from their land and cultivated more
of it.
OF course. a rather serious dilemma
confronts them in increasing their OUT
puts This is the scarcity of farm Ia
Dor. That is one of the real problems
of the day. Many a farmer could bet
ter work his lands and increase the size
Of his farm if he could find the men TO
help him. And many farmers, natural
ly. would be glad to do this. But how
to get these men is the question. On
the face of it, the question would not
appear to be difficult of solution. Farm
wages with board and lodging are bet
ter pay than countless laborers In
cities receive. The work around a farm
is more healthful than that of any 9TH
er occupation. The conditions for rear
ing families are assured1y more desira
BILE in the country than in most of the
large cities. notwithstanding these
facts there is a reluctance on the part
of men to leave their picks and shoveis
in city's street to take up the hoe AMI
the rake on the farm. There is only
one way to get them to do it and that
is to educate them to the advantages
that would accrue to them. This is a
work that should be undertaken by
some great agency. It's accomplish +.
ment would mean much for the peace
and happiness of the whole people of
this and other nations. for the cost of
living must be decreased by some
means. And an increase in the output
of farm products is one OF the ways IL
| bring it about.