Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-07-20
Farm Profits are Coming Back

Farm Profits are Coming Back
1t is the law of nature that action
is equal to reaction in the opposite
direction. For instance, a pendulum
always swings almost as far one way
as it went in the opposite direction on
the preceding swing. A slight tap
when it starts back may send 1t lar
Their than it went on the up stroke.
Business has its ups and downs as
does the pendulum. In many respects
business expansions and depresslons
are almost as regular as is the ticking
of the clock. When business reaches
the peak of its climb we can always
rest assured that there will be de-
cline at least nearly as far. The world
was really served as vigorous push
rather than light tap on the business
pendulum of the world and sent it up
and up almost to its zenith, IN fact,
many feared the force of the impact
would cause it to dash from the beat
Ell path and crash to destruction. But
the upward swing stopped before the
break, and for the last year and
half we have been witnessing the
backward swing.
MANY facts Indicate that it is now
about time for the business pendulum
of the United States to return IN the
direction of business recovery. And
in the revival of business which is
sure to occur, we anticipate that farm
ing will be one of the first lines OF
business to be benefited.
There are several reasons why the
farmer now should take an optimistic
view of his business situation. The
wheat carry-over from this season has
been the smallest in years. The latest
information indicates that the 1921
crop is no larger than the 1920 crop.
Stocks of wheat at terminals and IN
country elevators are reported to be
more than so per cent lower than a
wear ago. The visible supply is the
smallest in eighteen years.
The supply of -four in the hands OF
merchants as well as consumers is
very low. There was 20 per cent less
-four manufactured during the year
ending June 1st than during the pre-
ceding year.
of vital interest to farmers is the
fact that there is a decided shortage
in livestock. If per capita consump
ton of meat and meat products We're
suddenly to return to normal, the de-
mand for meat would be far greater
than the supply.
During the irst five months of 1921
there were 7,716 business failures IN
the United States as compared with
2.67S for the corresponding period OF
1920. An expert statlstlclan estl-
mates that at present there are about
three million persons ordinarily en-
ployed in industries in the United
States out of employment. 1t has
been demonstrated that the family OF
man who has employment consumes
three times as much of the things
people eat, wear and use, as 1t does
when the head of the family Is out
of employment. Latest information
indicates that the number OF unem-
ployed has probably reached the max
imum and that unemployment Is now
on the decline.
One can readily see that as workers
in textile mills, shoe factories, auto
mobile factories, furniture factories,
ETC., are resuming employment, their
requirements will be proportionately
increased. Certainly this means a
greater demand and better prices for
all the things which are produced by
farmers. Lack of employment can
not be improved until utilization of
products produced is resumed.
Add to all this the determination
of the farmers of this country to take
a hand in the marketing of their own
which most assuredly will
result in farmers getting better prices
or at least getting a larger percentage
of the final selling price of their stuff,
together with the probable reduction
in freight rates, and we have ample
reason for feeling optimistic in re-
gard to the situation the farmer will
find himself in a few months hence.
There are other favorable signs and
we will admit few clouds on the ho-
rizon, but taking it all in all the sit
uation warrants reasonable optimism.
Better times for agriculture are COM
ing, and coming soon. The farmers
wso profit most during the next few
years viii be those who keep eyes and
ears wide open for every bit Of infor-
nation that viii help them to judge
what is best for them to do in the
conduct Of their own business.
Buy the Things you need to enable
you 70 produce crops and livestock