Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-12-29
AGRICULTURE THE
MAINSTAY Of THE
nation
The United States and Canada
Have a Great Responsibility.

never ave been called derisive, but
stll! there was in 1t the infection that
ne was occupying an inferior position.
The stiff upper lip that the farmer car
rled, warded OFF any reprouch that his
occupation was a degrading one. His
hour arrived though, and for some
years past he has been looked up 20 as
occupying high position.
Agriculture, by 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 im-
portance; the manufacturer of its most
necessary product, and he now enjoys
the dual satisfaction of reaping max
imum of profit, as a result of his opera
lions, while he also becomes a strong
factor In molding the worlds destinles.
manufacturers, business men pro-
fesslonal 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 til!er 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 stul1S. The time was coming
when this would have been brought
about automatically, but war time
conditions urged it forward. while the
farmer was able to secure land at rea-
sonahle prices. Throughout several Of
the Western states this condition ex-
lists, as also in Western Canada.
Never has such condition been
known in commercial life. 1t is truly
an opportunity Of a lifetime. LargI
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 II Is possible today TO reap divi-
dends in farming unequaled In any
other line
Thirty, and as high as fifty bushels
of wheat per acre mt s. 20 per bushel
lar basis, grown and produced on land
available at from SIS to $40 per acre,
represents n return Of profit despite
higher cost OF labor and machinery.
that, in many cases runs even higher
than l00Go of an annual return on the
amount invested. such is the present
day condition in Western Canada. How
long It will last, no one can foreten.
Prices for farm produce viii 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 in price Mt
present, but they viii certainly in
crease to their naturally productive
value rs soon as the demand for them
ncccsstateS this increase, and this day
is not far distant. This demand IL
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 getting al the profit that his
neighbor In Western Canada Is secur-
ing: the tenant farmer IS seeking a
home oF his own, which he can buy
on whnt he vas paying out for rent,
and many are forsaking the crowded
cities TO grasp these unprecedented OPP
portunities.
The tenant farmer. and the owner
of high priced land IS now awakening
TO the realization that he Is not get
ting the return for his labor and In
vcStment that II is possible to secure in
Western Canada. Thousands are max
ing trips of inspection to personally in
vcstigate conditions and to acqualnt
themselves with the broadening bene-
fits derived by visiting Western Can
ada. Such trips awaken In progress
slve man that natural desire to do
bigger things, to accomplish as much
as his neighbor, and frequently result
in convincing and satisfying him that
Gods most fertile outdoors with a big
supply Of natures best climatic and
health-giying conditions Hes ia West
ern Canada.
The days OF pioneering are over the
seeker after new home travels
through all parts Of the country on the
same good railway trains as he has
been accustomed to az home, but on
which he has been accorded special
railway rate Of about one cent mile.
He finds good roads for automobllng
and other traffic; rural telephone lines
owned by the provincial governments :;
rural schools and CHURCHES situated
e.uyeYfpptlv to oiI- tyrtf .ryt.}r.fal mud