The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1922-12-28
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PROSPECTS FOR AG-
.R|CULTURE FOR 1928
New Years Statement and Resume
Of Agricultural Conditions and
Prospects From Secretary Of Agri-
culture Wallace.

Twelve months ago most Of the
six million farmers Of the United
States were starting on the long hard
climb out of the vallev Of economic
depression. They have not yet at
tained the heights which are bathed
in the grateful sunshine Of prosper
lity. Some, indeed, have fallen by the
way. Others are still in the valley.
Nevertheless, as we stop 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 ex-
pect boom times for the farmer in the
near future, there was promise Of
better times, both for the farmer and
for those whose business is largely
dependent upon him. The year has
brought fulfilment of that promise.
Speaking generally, times are better,
Iruch 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 corresponding ad-
vance in the prices of things the far
mer must buy, the total sum which
farmers will receive for the crops Of
this year is greater by billion and
half dollars or more than that which
they received for the crops Of last
year. This will certainly mean bet
ter times on the farm, and farm folks
will be able to ease up little on the
grinding economy they were forced
to practice the preceding year.
The labor cost of producing the
crops Of 1922 was still further re-
dueed. There were soaic substantial
reductions in freight rates. Much
helpful legislation has been enacted
and more will be this winter. In
terest rates are lower and the credit
strain has been eased. This has made
it possible for many farmers who
were rather heavily involved to re-
fund their obligations and get them
selves in condition to win through.
There are still some dark spots.
In some sections weather conditions
were unfavorable, 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 sound business
basis.
Aside from The help which has been
given ~ le gislation and by admins
tration gct!sities, strong economic
forces are at work to restore more
normal relation between agriculture
and other industries.
The peril in the agricultural de-
preston is more keenly realized by
other groups than ever before, and
on every hand sincere desire is be-
ing 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 year
1923.