The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-12-28
PROSPECTS FOR AGRI-
CULTURE IN 1923

New Years Statement and Resume OF
Agricultural Conditions and Pros
poets from Secretary of Agricul-
ture Wallace.
Twelve months ago most of the
six million farmers of the United
States were starting on the long hard
climb out OF the valley of economic
depression They have not yet at
tanned the heights which are bathed
In the grateful sunshine OF prosper
| ity Some, indeed, have fallen by the
way. Others are still in the valley.
| Nevertheless. as we stop a bit and
look backward we can 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 realization that we
are really making progress
A year ago, when speaking Of the
prospects for farming In 1922, | said
that while there was no reason to
expect boom times for the farmer in
the nearsfuture. there was promise Of
better times. both for the farmer and
for those whose business is largely
dependent upon him. The year has
brought fulnllment Of that promise
speaking generally. times are better,
much better, than a year ago, both
for agriculture and for industry
Crops have been good on the
whole Prices Of the major crops
are mostly considerably higher.
While there has been correspond
ling 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 half dollars or more
than that which they received for
the crops last year. This will Ger.
tainly mean better times on the
farm, and farm folks will be able "a
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 re
dueed There are some substantial
reductions in freight rates Mucl
Helpful legislation has been enacted
and moro will be this winter. Inter
est rates are lower and the credi
strain has been eased This hal
made it possible for many farmer
who were rather heavily involved e
refund their obligations and &c
5 themselves n condition 10 wiz
J throueh.
There are stll some dark spots
IN some sections weather condition
were unfavorable and crops wer
short. and farmers in these section
are having a very hard time Of Il
Freight rates are sull too high es
pecially for those who must pay 20
a long haul TO market.
Taxes are high. but this is Target
due 10 the fHcreaEe in local taxes
over which farmers themselves mus
. exercise control
There has been gratifying growt
in farmers cooperative marketin
associations. and more Of them ar
being organized on a sound busines
basis
Aside from the help which ha
been given b legislation and b. ac
mlulstration activities strong &c,
monte forces are az work 70 restor
+. a more normal relation between agr
$ culture and other inausuies
e Tie peril 90 the agricultural d
.c preston is more keenly realized q
other groups than ever before. an
on every hand a sincere desire IS =
o ing evidenced TO do what can be don
: safely to help the farmer better D.
. condition
! Everything considered. We hav
: good reason 70 expect stiu bette
? things for agriculture IN the yea
1923