The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-12-28
1923 Prospects
For Agriculture
New Years Statement of Ag-
ricultural Conditions and
Prospects from Secretary
of Agriculture.

Twelve months z most of the six
million farmers Of the United States
were starting on the long hard climb
out of the valley of economic depres-
sion. They have not yet attained the
nights which are bathed in the CRATE
full sunshine of prosperity. Some, in
deed, have fallen by the way. Others
are still in the valley. Nevertheless,
as we stop a bit and look backward
we a see that very considerable
ground has been gained by the great
majority, and we can enter the New
Year with renewed hope and with that
courage which comes from the r~ealiza-
ton that we are really making prog
ress.
A year ago, when speaking of the
prospects for farming in 1922, | said
that while there was no reason to eX-
pect boom times for the farmer in the
near future, there was a promise OF
better times, both for the farmer and
for those whose business is largely
dependent upon him. The year has
brought fulfillment of that promise.
Speaking generally times are better,
much better, than a year ago, both for
agriculture and for industry.
Crops have beer good on the whole.
Prices of the major crops are mostly
considerably higher. While there has
been a corresponding advance in the
prices of the things the farmer must
buy, the total sum which farmers will
receive for the crops Of this year is
greater by a billion and a half dollars
or more than that which they received
for the crops of last year. This will
certainly mean better times or the
farm, and farm folks will be able 20
ease up a little on the grinding econ
omy they were forced to practice the
preceding year.
The labor cost Of producing the
crops of 1922 was still further reduced.
There was some substantial reduc-
tions in freight rates. Much helpful
legislation has been enacted and more
will be this winter. Interest rates are
lower and the credit strain has been
eaSed. This has made it possible for
many farmers who were rather heavily
involved to refund their obligations
and get themselves in condition to
wiz through.
There are still some dark spots. In
some sections weather conditions were
unfavorable and crops were short, and
farmers in these sections are having
a very hard time of it. Freight rates
are still too high, especially for those
who must pay for a long haul to mar
ket.
Taxes are high, but this is largely
due to the increase in local taxes, over
which farmers themselves must eXer-
else control.
There has been gratifying growth in
farmers cooperative marketing asso-
Citations, and more of them are being
organized on a sound business basis.
Aside from the help which has been
given by legislation and by administra
ton activities. strong economic rorces
are at work to restore a more normal
relation between agriculture and other
industries.
The peril in the agricultural depres-
sion is more keenly realized by other
groups han yer before, and on every
hand a sincere desire is being evil
denced to do what can be done safely
to help the farmer better his condi-
ton.
Everything considered. we have
reason to expect still better things for
agriculture in the year 1923.