, 1922-03-24
FARM PRICES ABOVE pRE.wAR PERIOD.

Our Democratic friends who a short v,b;le ~ ws-s
teliing the world with jazz music accompaniment about
Republican prices for farm products have shut off
the noise and are bearing down hard on the soft
pedal. ~
At this writing wheat is selling at 81. So to s1.4o n
bushel; corn, 65 cents a bushel; oats, AZ cents. VI
Sl.1O; hay, $50 to S25 a ton; hogs, liz cents; fat
lambs, 15lA cents, and other farm products and live
stock in proportion.
These prices are not only higher by from SO to 100
per cent than six months ago, but they are higher than
they were in the fall and winter of 1913 and the
spring of 1914. That period is taken for comparison
because the only crop harvested and sold during peace
harvested in the fall of 1918. The 1914 crop was not
harvested when the European war broke out and at no
subsequent time during the Wilson administration
were conditions and prices normal
AT the prices the farmer is receiving TODAY he is
better Off than he was during the peak of prices in
war times because the purchasing power of his money
is greater today than it was then. In other words,
wheat at $1.35 today will buy more of almost any COM
modify than wheat at $500 during the war. Farm i'm
plements have been radically reduced in price. Farm
wages are approaching the pre-war basis. The farm
err will be able to buy binder Irvine this year for less
than 10 cents.
This years crop will be produced at a less cost to
the farmer than any crop raised since 1928. That
the farmer himself believes this is evidenced by the
fact that he is preparing to put in a tremendous acre
age of cereals this year.
Moreover, farmers are spending a lot of money and
paying high prices in order to restock their farms.
which makes livestock in great demand at splendid
prices. During the crisis of last year and the year be-
fore thousands of farmers sacrificed their breeding
stock in order to get ready money. They are now in
the market to replenish their stock.
Banks have plenty of money and between them and
the War Finance corporation the farmer is not ex-
periencing much difficulty in getting all the money or
credit he needs to carry him through the year until
harvest.
With a reasonably fair year, in SO far as climatic
conditions are concerned, the farmer will be in better
shape after his harvest next fall than he has been in
many years. There is no pessimism existing in agri-
cultural states. Everyone feels the worst is over and
that from now Improvement in agricultural circles
will be not only steady but rapid.
Further evidence of this fact is furnished by a cues
tionnaire which wa circulated among the farmers of
the Pacific Northwest by a trio of farm publications.
This QUESTIONABLE asked the farmers not only regard
ing their prospects but regarding what they intended
to do in the way of improvements, if anything. The
answers showed that one-third of the farmers Of that
section will be in the market this year for fencing.
paint and other construction material. Perhaps about
one-1fth of them are going to be in the market for all
sorts of farm machinery such as tractors, tractor
plows, gas engines, motors, drills, etc.
The housewives are also rejecting better conditions,
as a fourth of the replies indicate purchases this year
of such household equipment as washing machines,
new canning outfits, and other household equipment.
This is the natural reaction following a period OF
strictest economy and self-denial.
What is true in the northwest is true throughout
the United States, according to well posted observers.
This farmer has permitted his equipment to run down
and has neglected needed repairs and painting. Every
applied to paying of debts. With prices Of conrmod-
lilies declining and a good crop this year, the agricul-
tural states will be N the market after the harvest for
the purchase Of all sorts Of commodities.