Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-27
AGRICULTURE THE
MA|NSTAY Of THE
NATION
The United States and Canada
Have a Great Responsibility.

HAS HIS innings. Inc lllle was Wnen
he was dubbed the farmer" the
"mossback.' and in Il tone that could
never have been called derisive, but
still there was in ii the infection that
he was occupying an inferior position.
The stiff upper lip that the farmer car
occupation was Il degrading one. His
hour arrived, though, and for some
years past he has been looked up to as
occupying Il high position.
Agriculture. by a natural trend of
economic conditions, stands out TODAY
in strong relief, as the leader in the
worlds pursuits. Never in the nations
history have the eyes of the world
been so universally focused on the
farm. The farmer is the man of I'M
porlance; the manufacturer of its most
necessary product, and he now enjoys
the dual satisfaction of reaping Il max
imum of profit, as a result of his opera
tons, while he also becomes a strong
factor in holding the worlds destinies.
Manufacturers, business men pro-
fessional men and bankers realize the
Importance Of agriculture, and gladly
acknowledge 1t as the twin sister to
commerce. In commercial, financial
and political crises, The tiller of the
soil takes the most important place.
Maximum prices, the highest in many
decades. show the worlds recognition
of the necessary requirement for more
farm stuffS. The time was coming
when this would have been brought
about automatically. hut wnr time
conditions urged 1t forward, while the
farmer was able to secure land ut rca.
Sonable prices. Throughout several OF
the Western states this condition en-
lists, as also in Western Canada.
Never has such n condition been
known in commercial life. 1t is truly
an opportunity of a lifetime. Large
and small manufacturing concerns and
practically every other line of bust
ness have been limited in their profits
to the point Of almost heroic sacrifice,
While it is possible today to reap divi-
dendS in farming u%nequaled in any
other line.
Thirty. and as high as fifty bushels
Of wheat per acre at 500 per buslel
and all other farm produce on Il SINH
lar basis, grown and produced on land
available at from Sla TO $40 per acre,
represents a return of profit despite
higher cost of labor and machinery.
that. in many cases runs ever higher
than 1860 of an annual return on the
amount invested. Such is the present
day condition in Western Canada. How
long it will last. ne II can %foretell.
Prices TO: farm produce will likely re
main high for many years. Certainly,
the low prices of past years will not
come again in this generation. The
lands referred to, are low i'm price at
present, but they will certainly in.
crease to their naturally productive
value as SOOn as the demand for them
nccessitates this increase, and this day
is not far distant. This demand is
growing daily: the farmer now on the
ground is adding to his holdings while
prices are low the agriculturist on
high priced lands is realizing that he
IS not eating all the profit that his
n%eighbnr in Western Canada is secur-
ing; the tenant farmer is seeking a
home of his own, which lie can buy
on what he was paying o II for rent,
and many are forSaking the crowded
cities to grasp these unprecedented op-
%portunities.
The tenot.t farmer. and the owner
Of high priced land, is now awakening
to the realization that he Is not get
ting the retlrn for his labor and in
vestment thAt it is possible to secure in
Western CANADA. Thousands are max
ing trips Of spspectiOn to personally in
vestigate conditions and to %acquaint
themselves With the broadening bcne-
fits derived ly visiting Western Can
ada. Such trips awaken in a progress
sive maj that natural desire to do
bigger things. to accomplish as much
rs his neighhiT, and frequently result
In convincing and satisfying him that
Gods most fertile outdoors, with a big
supply of natures best climatic and
heaIth-giving conditions lies in West
ern Canada.
The days of pioneering are over: the
seeker after a new home travels
through all parts of the country on the
same good railway trains as he has
been accustomed to at home, but Oh
which he has been accorded a special
railway rate Of about one cent n mile.
He fndS good roads for a~utomobiliny
and other traffic; rural telephone lines
owned by the provincial governments:
rural schools and churches situated
conveniently to all well appointed and
homelike buildings, and everywhere an
indication Of general prosperity; cities
and towns with all modern improve
ments, and what is the most cOnvinc-
ing factor in his decision. a satisfied
and prosperous people, with a whole
hearted welcome to that country of a
larger life and greater opportunities.
To Western Canada belongs the dis
tinguished honor Of being the holder
Of all worlds championships in wheat
and oats for both quality and quantity.
For many years in succession Western
Canada has proven her claim for SUI