The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1921-04-29
FARMLABoR CHEAPER
AND MORE PLENTIFUL
Says canyasser Of Conditions in All
: Ohio Counties. Il

i We tNesAsAAANkS4t 6eSssAot&SA<&<tt AA<S1
recently collected data on the farm
help situation, on which he bases the
lprediction that labor will be both
cheaper and more plentiful this year
than at any previous period for some
time.
"In most countless" Mr.. Callander
finds, "the supply of farm labor is
lgreater than the demand. This sit
tuation is due in part to the releasing
| of men from industrial plants as well
as in the actual decrease Of demand
from the farmer for help. Of course
many of the men available are in
experienced.
"The decrease in demand has been
caused by the slump in the prices of
farm products, as well as by the high
wages still demanded by those who
are seeking farm employment.
"But the average wage this year
will be lower than heretofore. Last
year it was $65 a month with board.
This year it will not exceed $40 a
month and board.
Because labor seems unwilling to
work for present wage standards,
such as farmers feel they can afford
to pay, the general sentiment among
farmers throughout the state is to do
what they themselves can get done
and leave the remaining undone.
"The great uncertainty as to future
prices of farm products makes it
rather risky to incur heavy labor
charges for the putting in Of crops,
the return from which may not equal
the cost of production.
"While the total crop acreage pro-
bably will not be materially decreased,
there undoubtedly will be considerable
shifting in the acreage from crops
requiring such labor to those re-
quiring less labor.
"On the whole, the wheat crop is, in
excellent condition, having already
made considerable growth. The pres
ence of the Hessian fly is noted in
many counties and may result in
much danger later. Apparently the
full damage was less than year ago,
due to the fact that much of the
wheat was seeded after fly time. Very
little winter killing is reported, SO
that the prospects now are rather
favorable for good wheat crop.
Meadows are also in excellent
shape and already have some growth.
Some reports Of winter killing Of new
seedlings have been received but they
are in the minority.
There is general feeling of ap-
prehension with respect to the fruit
crop. Buds of practically all kinds
of fruit are too far advanced for this
season Of the year and there may be
serious damage from late frosts. It
is not believed that the apple buds
have been injured to any extent, but
it is quite possible that peaches al
ready have been damaged in some sec
tions, as many trees were in Z, full
bloom when the heavy frost occurred
on the night Of March %. Barring
frost damage from late frosts fruit
prospects are good.
Spring plowing is in general prog
ress over practically all the state. In
fact, in some sections plowing did not
cease during the entire winter. Grass
and clover are now being sown in the |
wheat, the work having been delayed |
by rain. Oats seeding is under way
in the Southern counties. The wet |
weather, however, is preventing prog
ress in many sections.
while there is considerable feel
ing of pessimism and disbursement
in rural districts and much uncertain
ty as to what course to pursue in
for the future with a view
to meeting the new conditions which
have developed, the general tone of
the reports received is much more
optimistic than those received two
months ago. There is feeling of
conservatism running through most
Of the reports, and an apparent deter
mination on the part of the farmers
10 keep out of the market except for
absolute necessities until better ad-
lustment is reached between the pro-
ducts which they have to buy and
hose which they have to sell. Farmers
are studying index numbers and
;rends to greater extent than ever
before, and they feel from a study Of
,hese indications that great deal
still remains to be done before a
proper price equilibrium will be reach