The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-02-21
The Farm and The Farmer
BY WILLIAM r. sANBoRN

Now that the snow and ice is melt
ing on the whitened wheat fields we
shall presently be able to hazard a
guess as to the outlook for the grow
ing grain. AS to this opinions differ
widely, some claiming that much wheat
in sight is looking fine, while others
claim that their paintings are as dead
as the Pharaohs.
And both are undoubtedly correct.
Early planted wheat, in too many in
stances, furnished free table to the
fly, while much of the late sown
grain escaped this destruction. The
acreage Is not as large as in 1919;
not in this section: but may be con-
sidered about normal and in its usual
rotation percentage, according to
numerous elevator men and growers.
The following brief interviews indi-
cate the general impression of the
acreage and outlook. The number of
hogs estimated to be held on the farms
was also discussed, with varying re-
suits, as will be noted. The opinion
also prevails that farmers will plant
as literally as usual, insofar as their
ability to secure labor. or to handle
their own acreages, will permit.
William 3. Woodward's Views.
Farming is business and the good
farmer is a business man, believes
William B. Woodward, elevator man
and farmer at Dublin. He isn't going
to shut up shop because the market
doesn't suit him, any more than will
the merchant lock his doors because
trade is dull, or the price Of the goods
on his shelves is falling. I expect to
see every farmer plant every acre he
Is able to handle, or can get help to
care for, this spring. Why shouldn't
he?
AS for myself shall press the limit
bit. 1 shall plant acres of beans,
for the first time. AS to wheat, our
nominal price is $2.40 for No. 2, but
none is offered. as farmers still holding
mostly want more money, up to $2.75
in fact. Farmers are also paying up
to $1.65 for corn at sales and from
S5c to s1.10 for any kind Of oats.
except wild oats, which are no
longer a popular crop around Dublin.
There are the usual number of hogs
en- the farms, for February, in my
opinion, and we are shipping 3 to 4
cars per week, mostly to Indianapolis.
I am told that late sown wheat looks
promising, but the fly got much of
the early planted, which will largely
be replaced by oats.
Albert Anderson's Opinions
ALBERT ANDERSON, elevator
owner at Milton: AS to possible re-
duction of acrea ge planted around here
this season will say that help at $40
per month, with a bonus of board and
washing, will certainly handicap many
farmers. Pretty early to decide on the
IJ1t 1nn
that at least a half crop is promised,
some even stating that it may run
three-fourths of normal.
Where the wheat is plowed up many
will SOW oats, which will make de-
mand for good seed. I Judge that we
cut the wheat acreage 10 to Is per
cent, last fall, compared with 1918.
We are paying $40 for No. 2 wheat
and $155 for corn. Doing very little
in wheat now but have shipped out
lot and had no trouble about cars on
the Big Four during the rush. l judge
that the number of hogs back on the
farms is about normal, though fast
thinning out.
Situation at centerviIIe
WALTER MATHEWS, of the Cen
terville elevator: We haven't bought
any wheat lately. Don't believe there
are 1000 bushels now in hands of our
farmers. Nor are we buying corn
locally, in fact have shipped in 10000
bushels for sale to farmers SO far
this year and have also brought in sew
eral cars of oats, last lot selling at CSC
for a prime article and we now have
car on the way.
Don't think our wheat acreage was
cut much last fall. AS to prospects
some say their fields promise the best
kind of a crop. A man told us today
that while his wheat looked brown
and shriveled, an examination showed