Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-08-14
EXPORTS DECREASING

so.s ssI 2s.5
pyr.l.............ss.7 sea $50 7o.s
EXPORTS DECREASING.
Asa purveyor OF food supplies to the
importing countries OF Europe, we are a
steadily diminishing factor, and the re-
sult ia seen in the rise of prices there.
while the population OF this country in
creased n per cent. between the last two
censuses, the aggregate acreage OF all the
cereal crops increased only 3.5 per cent.
and the actual yield in 1909 was but 1.6
per cent. greater than in 1899.
The country produced 5s.a bushels OF
the cereals fcorn, wheat, oats, barley, rye,
buekw heat, kafiir corn, emmer and rice)
per head OF population in 1899, and only
1911 bushels in 1909.
Corn is the chief next producing crop,
and the corn crop OF the United States
is 70 per cent. OF the corn crop of the
world. The acreage in 1909 was but 81
per cent. greater than the acreage OF 1899,
and the yield was actually less.
These are facts OF very great significance.
indeed, it may be questioned whether any
other set OF facts in the world to-day are OF
equal social and industrial Importance.
Population has spread over the United
States, the free and cheap lands are gone,
and there is no other equal area on the
face Of the globe comparable in produc-
tiveness and national wealthto the United
States remaining to be exploited.
The demands for land and the rise in
price OF farm products have caused an as
tonishing advance in land values. The
census shows that between 1900 and 1910
the average value per acre oil all the farms
in the United States, exclusive OF build
ings, increased los per cent, or more than
10 per cent. per annum for that period.
Much was said two years ago about the
dangers OF the land boom in the West.
As result of the warning and Of the
attitude OF bankers toward speculative
loans, the fever OF speculation has sub
sided; but all reports are to the effect
that there has been no recession in selling
prices. but a continual advance.
SOME GRAVE FEATURES.
The situation has its grave features, for
while the change which has come over the
is very agreeable one to him, and per-
haps for the present generation gives only
just recompense for hardships in the past,
We cannot look upon the relatively dimin-
ishing supplies with other than appre-
hension.
nf . ba ~ ~ ,raar ttfo cfrr nd N
facilities for transportation we make con-
slant progress, and the benefits OF that
progress are quickly shared by all. But it
is Enthusiastically true that in recent years
considerable share of the natural gains
OF industrial progress have been Offset by
the higher costs for food, clothing and
raw materials. A part OF the higher
prices goes to the fortunate possessors Of
land, timber and other natural resources,
but part is expended in the greater eff
fort necessary to produce the commodities
In the greater amounts required.
INCREASE PRopucrrvENEss.
There is only one possible source of re-
lief from this threatening situation, and
that is by raising the productiveness OF
our lands through more intelligent and
scientific culture. There is no known
limit to the possibilities of nature, and
our average production is far below the
results OF the best practice. The average
yield of corn per acre in this country has
never reached thirty bushels but once,
and that was in 1872. The important
question is, il we have gained nothing in
The cultivation of corn in the last forty
years, how fast will it be possible to revo-
lutionize farming methods in the future?
1t is interesting to note that in many
states the bankers, through their state or
carnations, have taken up this question
Oh how to increase the productiveness OF
farms, and have organized for campaign
Oh education, making it the chief work OF
the associations. The Illinois association
mas enlisted the cooperation of the agri-
cultural department OF the State univer-
sity.
The Minnesota and Iowa associations
nave enlisted upon similar campaign;
the object is 80 practical and praise
worthy that the bankers Of all the states
may well follow their example. 1t gives
new interest to the meetings OF the asso-
cations, bringing the bankers into direct
and friendly cooperation with the largest
body OF producers, and gives great
Promise OF increasing the wealth of the
community.