The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-12-28
PROSPECTS IN 1928
FOR AGRICULTURE
New Years Statement and Resume
of Agricultural Conditions and
Prospects From Secretary
of Agriculture 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 attained the heights which
are bathed in the grateful sunshine
If prosperity. 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
md 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, l
said that while there was no reason
% expect boom times for the farmer
n the near future, there was prom
sc of better times, both for the
farmer and for those whose business
S 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 been good, on the
whole Prices of the major crops
are mostly considerably higher.
While there has been a correspond
ing advance in the prices of the
.hings the farmer must buy, the
total sum which farmers will re-
,eive for the crops this year is
greater by a billion and a half dol
lars or more than that which they
received for the crops of last year.
This will certainly mean better
lines on the farm, and farm folks
will be able to ease up a little on
he grinding economy they were
forced to practice the preceding
year.
The labor cost of producing the
crops of 1922 was still further re-
duced. There were some substan-
tial- reductions in freight rates.
Much helpful legislation has been
enacted and more will be this win
ter. 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
win 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 long haul to market.
Taxes are high, but this is largely
due to the increase in local taxes
over which the farmers themselves
must exercise control.
There has been gratifying growth
in farmers cooperative marketing
associations, and more of them are
being organized on a sound basis.
Aside from the help which has
been given by the legislation and by
administration activities, strong eco
nomic forces are at work to re-
store more normal relation be.
tween agriculture and other indus.
tries.
The peril in the agricultural de.
preston is more keenly realized by
other groups than ever before, ano
on every hand a sincere desire is
being evidenced to do what can be
done safely to help the farmer
better his condition.
Everything considered, we have
good reason to expect still better
things for agriculture in the yeal
1923.