Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-03
AGRICULTURE THE
MA|NSTAY OF THE
nation
The United States and Canada
Have a Great Responsibility.

never have been called deriSive, but |
still there was in 1t the infection that
he was occupying an inferior position.
The stiff upper lip that the farmer car
ried, warded off any reproach that his
occupation was a degrading one. His
hour arrived, though, and for some
years past he has been looked up to as
occupying a 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
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
tons, while he also becomes 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 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, but war time
conditions urged it forward, while the
farmer was able to secure land at rea-
y Bonable 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 lifetime. Large
and small manufacturing concerns and
practically every other line Of busi-
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 unequaled in any
other line.
Thirty, and as high as fifty bushels
Of wheat per acre at 1920 per bushel
and all other farm produce on SINH
lar basis, grown and produced on land
available at from SIS to $40 per acre,
represents return of profit despite
higher cost of labor and machinery,
that, in many cases runs even higher
than 1909 of an annual return on the
amount invested. Such is the present
day condition in Western Canada. How
long 1t will last, no one can foretell.
Prices for 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 in price at
present, but they will certainly in
crease to their naturally productive
value as soon as the demand for them
necessitates this increase, and this day
10 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 getting all 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 what he was paying out for rent
and many are forsaking the crowded
cities to grasp these unprecedented op
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
vestment that 1t is possible to secure II
Western Canada, Thousands are max
ing trips of inspection to personally in
vestigate conditions and to acQuain
themselves with the broadening bene
flts derived by visiting Western Can
ada. Such trips awaken In q progres
sive man that natural desire to d.
bigger things, to accomplish as mucl
as his neighbor, and frequently resul
In convincing and satisfying him tina
Gods most fertile outdoors, with BIZ
supply of natures best climatic an'
health-glving conditions lies In West
ern Canada.
The days of pioneering are over tn
seeker after a new home travel
through all parts of the country on tn
same good railway trains as he ha
been accustomed to at home, but Ol
which he has been accorded specia
railway rate Of about one cent a mile
He finds good roads for automObilini
and other traffic; rural telephone line
owned by the provincial governments
rural schools and churches situate'
conveniently to all well appointed ant
homelike buildings, and everywhere al
indication of general prosperity; cite
and towns with oil modern improve
ments, and what is the most convinc
ing factor in his decision, satisfies
and prosperous people, with a who'll
hearted welcome to that country of
larger life and greater opportunities
To Western Canada belongs the dis
tinguished honor of being the holde
of all worlds championships in whea
and oats for both quality and quantity
In s.InnanacinIa WncfAI