New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1920-05-08
FCC7 .--1ORTA Il AND CROP
PROSPECTS.

W.rh the advent Of good wealth
er and a hot May sun, farm and
crop prospects have immensely
improved. But there is not a
minute to lose. the food shortage
existing is not only National but
international, the basic in its
causes if not overwhelming in its
effects. The crisis of food short
age is here; fact and not a
theory. Production has not kept
pace with consumption. Indeed
the gap dividing these two factors
in the fundamental law of supply
and demand is ever on the in
crease.
There is a tremendous wheat
shortage, rye shortage, a dis
astrous sugar shortage. Last
year, here in Louisiana, only 242,-
100000 pounds Of sugar was pro-
duced as compared to 561, 100000
pounds in 1918. Only One-third Of
the syrup was produced last year
as compared to the year before. A
late spring has retarded our three
main crops and poor seed cane will
cause. a greatly decreased sugar
cane acreage This should mean
intensified cultivation to reap
maximum yield. Based on the
present outlook cane will likely
bring between $1,000 and $500
per ton.
The rice acreage in this Parish
is greatly increased and crop as
well as price prospects are excel
lent.
But the food shortage is here,
not alone in staple crops-Aot in
one locality, but in all foodstufs
and everywhere. irish potatoes
selling almost as much per pound
retail as formerly the producer
received per busheL is no theory
but painful reality. And the!
cause for this abnormal condition
is not difficult Of apprehension.
What with the agitator with his
eight hour program. What with
the silk shirt autocracy Of labor
with high wage demands, for the
least returns possible. What with
the bolshevik propagandistI |
preaching and spreading the t
propaganda of short hours and ]
big pay, communism. industrial I
control ct cetera with its resultant |
evils of unrest. extravaganza and '
dissatisfaction. Consumption has t
increased and production de- t
creased, because the producers are n
lacking; because thousands and
tens of thousands of former pro-
ducers have joined and are joining s
the ranks of the consumers. The q
lure Of short hours-eight in the e
morning till four in the afternoon d
with evenings in the bright W
lights of the great white way u
and with greatly increased pay. is II
too great for many a farm hand. 1t
The rural populations have m
locked to the cities. And even Ia
with the greatly increased nrm. a
Ter of laborers in the cities, Ill VI
lustrial production does not in h,
'rease because hours of labor have M
Is
The farmers hours are from OF
'arly dawn till late dusk-hours "
bout twice as long as his city IL
'rother. Small wonder that farm VI
abor attracted by lures Of the It
ity, migrates. And yet we can cf
lot but believe that it is all mis-
axe to the individual who mi
rates as well as to the nation and &c
IS future. III
The endless, vicious cycle of the OF
Eage increase chasing the high I'm
ost of living and the high cost of IN
wing chasing the wage increase, Pc
, neither smart nor funny, but nj
tupid and primed with perils, H'
'nlv the political demagogue and to
lbor agitator seem enjoy the in -
ulgence of these mouthings and ca
roft by the execution of this 7el
alSe creed. But their enjoyment al
nd profit must necessarily be ca
lortlived, for the stones are
to the point where it be-
ms to hurt and an intelligent,
roused citiZentrv IS beginning toll In