The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1920-10-11
FARMERS ARE
COMPLAINING
THEY THREATEN REDUCTION IN
CROPS NEXT YEAR.

Sioux City, Oct. IA reduction
of 40 per cent in the crop acreage of
1921, and consequent shortage in
food production and soaring prices
and general tagging in agriculture In
the northwest is the disconcerting
economic message that DIR. Freder-
ick H. Roost brings to Sioux City
after tour of two weeks through
North Dakota and South Dakota and
inspection of his farm property at
Oakes, N. d.
War time prices for food and ac-
companying scarcity is predicted the
coming year. The high cost of la
Dor; low prices for the products of
the farm, inability to procure finan-
cial accommodation, the absence of
profit in agriculture the past year,
and forced liquidation are assigned
by the farmers of the Dakotas as
the grounds for the threatening food
reduction and pessimistjc outlook,
said DR.. Roost on his return yester-
day.
Elevator men have misrepresented
the production of wheat In the Da-
kotas the present season. 1t having
been placed at rs bushels to the acre.
DR.. Roost says 1t will be less than s
bushels. 1t is claimed by the farm
mers that they can not afford to
produce wheat for less than So q
bushel and have determined upon an
acreage reduction of from 35 to 40
per cent.
Reduction in the crops is propos-
ed because the farmers have been
compelled to sell their products at
ruinous prices and do not intend to
be compelled to depend upon outside
labor for the tilling of their crops" !"
stated DIR. Roost ''It is proposed to
limit production to the acreage that
the farmer and the members OF his
family can properly cultivate. In adj
dition to all his other troubles and
discouragements the black rust did
more damage than has been sup
posed.
"The farmers complain that they
were compelled to sell their grain
and live stock below the actual cost
OF production and that loans could
not be procured on their property.
There does not appear to be any
money in the banks to carryl the
farmers loans any longer. 1t I al
most impossible to make land loan
in North Dakota. The old establish
ed land loan institutions have with
drawn their outstanding loans and
are making no new ones.
Tenants, where they can, are sell
ing their property and moving to the
cities. where they say they expect to
procure the high wages they hear is
being paid. They argue that they
win have no capital investment Of
their own. They are sacrificing
their stock and machinery In many
instances. For q person with some
means this IL q good opportunity y
engage in diversified farming a.
small cost.
"The cost OF labor is regarded by
the farmers ~ prohIbitive and they
are retrenching wherever possible
Few will feed live stock this fall
they are getting rid Of both cattls
and hogs.
"The outlook In the north ~ bad
The public u quite likely to Be com
PEELED to pay heavy prices tor foot
| the coming year. The farmer = ct
ting 33 for his wheat, when ne q
pected 81 in order to make = profi
81 any percentage. Labor was -
most prohibitive. The pay ranges
| from 46 to IS ! day for laborers, IN
cluding board ana lodging. Thresh
ing men with teams got $11 DAY
The return from labor was lesn q
| fective and Was not cheerful Tni
| y the visw that 4 now taken BY th
| farmers of the Dakotaa. The pros
pect II not ! chesrful cne."
ia