The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-20
The Farm and Farmer
ey WILLIAM r. sANBoRN !.

The commission appointed by Gov
ernor Lowden, of Illinois. late in 1919.
to consider land conditions and farm
tenures in that state, has just submit
ted it's report. The commission held
numerous public hearings, also con-
Quoted private investigations, and it's
report is now before the legislature
for action.
The commission found. as had been
discovered in every country, that the
percentage of land farmed by tenants
increases as the acreage increases in
value. Land values rule highest in
northern and central Illinois, and in
these sections 6S per cent of the land
is farmed by renters. Per contra, in
southern Illinois, where land is much
cheaper, but so per cent is farmed
under lease.
The statement that under our pres
ent system, renting decreases the fer
tility of the soil, discourages first class
improvements. and impairs the COM
munity spirit is truism to which
farmers everywhere may we'll take
heed. In this connection the commits
sion advocates "a tenants rights law,
to encourage better FARMING and the
proper conservation of the SOIL
Tax on Speculation.
Finding that speculation in land is
a bad thing all round. the Lowden
commission recommends a transfer
tax of one per cent of the selling price
on all transfers made within one year
of ownership, this measure being
strictly a penalty on speculation in
farm lands and not simply for the
revenue.
1t is not unlikely that the Iowa leg
islature, now in session, will also
make due inquiry into conditions af
fecting the ownership and tenancy of
Iowa farm LANDS. The rural press of
the state is now demanding such ac-
ton.
North Dakota Buying Sheep.
The sheepmen of the dry sections Of
Montana have found a waiting market
for their flocks on the prairies Of
North Dakota. More than $4,000 Mon
tana sheep have been marketed in
North Dakota during the past IL
months and J. w. Haw, manager of
the Wool Growers association. reports
that North Dakota has doubled its
number of sheep within the last two
years.
Mr.. Haw says that their soil and
climate are especially good for sheep
raising and that he considers better
prices for wool inevitable. The states
pooled wool, 100000 pounds, is stored
at Fargo.
More Grain and Fewer Horses.
At the annual meeting of the Illinois
Agricultural association, last week,
President J. r. Howard, of the Amer
lean Farm Bureau Federation, stated
that farmers are using 100000 fewer
horses than formerly. He claims that
this has result ed in saving of 49,
100000 bushels of oats, 100000 of
corn and 4.75000O tons of hay per
year. Mr. Howard advises the use of
more horses and of less gasoline.
figuring that the additional consump-
ton of grain and hay would make a
better market for the surplus farmers
have to sell.
Pay s4s5,ooo in Dues.
When the Illinois Farm Bureau met
at Chicago on January IA. the treasur-
er's report showed that the 1861
members had paid s455,000 into the
State Farm Bureau last year" This
, organization has four marketing de-
partments, grain. live stock. dairy
products and fruits and vegetables, all
of which simply reported progress"
during the past year, without details or
summaries.
More than 1000 farmers rooled their
wool through the state bureau in 1920.
end the 100000 pounds so pooled is
stored in a Chicago warehouse. The
claim is made that country buyers in
Illinois are offering but 16 cents per