Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-09-27
Congressman Esch on the Dignity Of Agriculture

ceived about s., poultry about IS: pc
tatoes when sold by the bushel but so,
while for meat the consumer paid 81
per cent above the packers price.
When it is remembered that the farmer
runs the risk of drought, food, heat,
frost, insects, and fruit and animal dis
eases, and cannot get along on an eight
hour day schedule, the proportion of
the prices ne receives OF the total
amount paid by the consumer for farm
products cannot in any way be con-
sidered as excessive. Up to 1897 our
farmers did not ges, as rule, fair or
adequate price. Since that time, they
have slowly but surely come into their
own, and the prosperity which farmers
now enjoy quite generally throughout
the United States should be matter of
satisfaction to all our citizens, for it is
certain that the success of the farm
ers means the success of all our people
The causes of the high cost of living
are many, but there are ott ers which
we fail to recognize. The different
methods in the sale of goods, or in the
method in which they are put up, in the
manner in which they are purchased
and delivered to the consumer; in the
use of travelling statesmen, and in the
demand for increased facilities can ac-
count for the substantial increase in
the cost of living.
While ether states may have suffered
during the last year or two from
droughts and other causes, Wisconsin
has continued prosperous. She is be-
coming leader in the growing of seed
grains. During the last decade in
quality and yield per acre, Wisconsin
has stood first in the production of
barley, oats, spring wheat and fax
She has stood secon6 in the production
of potatoes. fourth in rye and fifth in
hay. In these contests the products of
states using irrigation were excluded,
but this is record TO be proud of, and
gives our state a prestige rot only
| throughout the United States but also
throughout the agricultural world.
Wisconsin has become a leading dairy
state. Her output of dairy products
last year amounted to SIS, 600, 900. Her
dairy farmers last year operated one
sixth Of the creameries of the United
States and one-half of the cheese fac
tories, and the quality of her products
is known of all men. And, yet, with
all our wonderful progress along agri-
cultural lines, our state is but half de-
veloped. There are only ten millions
l ACRES VI ldtlQ WHICH nave ilUb yet DCGn
touched by pillow, lands as good for
dairying purposes as most of those now
4 devoted to that industry. These unculti-
waited acres will be farmed at a no dis
tant date. Their output, added to that
of our already splendid farms, will still
further increase the prestige and stand
ing of our state. With good roads,
movement now well started, with ar in
crease Of county agricultural schools
/ and the development of our country
schools along lines of agricultural train
/ ing and education, there is no limit to
the possibilities of this state.
Congressman Esch closed with the
| following eulogy on corn.
Corn-Native of America; food of the
aborigines, yielding generous response
to the crude tillage of the stone and
copper age.
Corn-Spreading out from its original
habitat to become world product,
1 flourishing as well beneath our north
ern skies as under the tropic sun.
! Corn-Feeder of swine and kline and
these in turn feeding millions at home
and millions beyond the seas.
Corn Food of sick and well, prince
and pauper, of men of high and low de-
gree. Grown on small fields or or
limitless acres.
/ Corn-W Whose kernels like nuggets of
gold are flowing in yellow stream,
enriching state and people.
Corn Rank on rank and file upon
Gle marching triumphantly against the
7ost of guant famine.
Corn With tasseled head, waving
leaves and bending ear, bringing peace,
iov and cnntenfrnpnt RI millions of
homes
Corn Feeder of armies; bringer Of
peace; most bounteous of crops; chief
stat Of life All hail! Corn is king