South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-30

In a few hours more the somoeT
days OF 1922 Will have shuffled away
into the past IN their place comes
the year 1929. which finds Itself be-
ing ushered IN under very favorable
circumstances. We are assured on
every hand that prosperity has re-
turned. The statisticians say Il ana
farm prices show II. The index or
prices received by the producers OF
farm products at the end OF Novem-
Der were nearer in line with the
prices prevailing for other stuff than
they have been for several months.
We grant that some men have had
TO borrow money TO pay their taxes
but even though the past has been
somewhat dark and uncertain. the
proverbial silver lining its now
showing itself on the farmers hori-
ION. Il IS therefore fitting that at
dawn OF the new year we point out
the fact that Pulaski county and
northwestern Indiana in general Is
now occupying "a place In the sun
with reference to farmers and the
PRODUCTS OF the soil.
Birdseye View OF Northwestern
Indiana: There are many people,
farmers and others here in the coun-
" who do not appreciate the i'm
portance Of our geographical loca-
ton The center OF population OF
Indiana is rapidly moving north and
we are in its path. Even now there
are ten million consumers in the
cities close at hand. which is splen-
did assurance that when farming is
profitable anywhere It Will be 'FRONT.'
able here.
1t should De borne IN mind that
the farmer always pays the freight
and so the closer he is to the con-
Stunning centers the more he is able
TO secure Of the price which the con-
sumer pays. Today the price Of oats
in Maryland is 43 cents per bushel
while the price Of oats in Iowa is
80 cents per bushel. the 13 cents
difference being but the differenual
IN freights between Iowa and Mary
:and points.
Population Center Moving North:
Indiana was admitted to the Union
]
was established at Corydon in Har-
rison county. The capital was es-
tablished at Corydon then because
it was near the center of population
OF the state. Harrison county Is
away down on the Ohio river, so
the Hoosiers of a century ago were
largely hill billies."
Lately, however, with the develop
rnent OF industrial centers at our
north entrance such as Gary, Ham
mond. Laporte, South Bend, Misha-
waka, Elkhart and Goshen, the CEN
ter of population in the state has
moved north rapidly until at present
II is on an oak stump about 16 miles
north of Indianapolis. In other
words, during LOG years, the popula-
ton center has moved half the
length Of the state.
Getting Closer to Market: To the
Pulaski county farmer this means
that during the years to come he
will be in a very advantageous po-
sition so far as markets are con-
cerned. Now just a word as to the
development Of agriculture here in
the county when the land was first
drained by the big bitches, it was
very natural. that beef raising should
become one OF the main pursuits.
In fact, we find beef raising the first
enterprise when ever any extensive
range is first opened.
\ Definite Plan Pursued: Some Of
our people are too close up to get
the proper perspective Of the de-
velopment which has been carried
on in this county during the last six
years. Much of this has been pre-
paratory to the larger Program for
which the county is now ready.
Before any type of livestock can
be raised profitably it is necessary
sor the owner 10 grow some legume
pasture for that is really the basis
of profit in every livestock enter
Prise. But on much of our land
before it was possible TO grow le-
Gumes successfully lime was neces-
sary. Accordingly, five or six years
ago a very extensive campaign for
soil lining was carried on. Not all
the sour land in the county has
been lined. by any means, yet it IS
certain that farmers everywhere
are convinced that 1t pays TO lime
especially where this is necessary
before clover and alfalfa can be
grown.
SOybeans and Alfalfa: Three or
four years ago a very intensive cam
paign for the growing Of alfalfa and
soybeans was launched. on land
that was lined and we'll drained. we
urged the owners to set alfalfa es-
tabhshed and where the land was
not drained and not lined and where
clover would not grow. farmers
found that they could grow soy
beans. These were logical and neces-
sary steps that much rrecede any
profitable livestock farming.
During the last two years we have
laid considerable emphasis upon
hogs and poultry. The good hog and
poultry houses that can be seen on
almost every road show that these
projects are paying. The hog busi-
ness here runs about a million dol
lars a year, while poultry is only a
few jumps behind. The man who
can concentrate his crops into live
stock and market his crops on four
legs instead OF four wheels is there
by enabled TO reduce his annual
freight bill and have more OF the
value OF his crops left for the i'm
provement Of his home and family.
Many Christmas Presents Bought
With Egg Money.
There has been great improve
ment IN the poultry business. Look
at the folks that are brood.ng with
colony house-brooders note the new
houses here and there and take no.