The Yale expositor., 1922-12-28
Prospects for Agriculture
for the Year 1923
NEW YEARS STATEMENT AND RESUME OF AGRI.
CULTURAL CONDITIONS AND PROSPECTS FROM
SEC'Y OF AGRICULTURE WILSON.

Twelve months ago most of the
twelve 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 of prosperity.
Some, indeed, have fallen by the
way. Others are still in the val
ley. Nevertheless, as we stop
bit and look backward we can see
that very considerable ground
has been gained by the great ma
jority, 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 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 fulfillment of that
promise. Speaking generally,
times are better, much better,
than a year ago, both for agricul-
ture and for industry.
Crops have been good, on the
whole. Prices of the major crops
are most considerably higher.
While there has been a CORES
ponding 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 billion and a half
dollars or more than that which
they received for the crops of last
year. This will certainly mean
better times on the farm, and
farm folks will be able to ease up
a 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
reduced. There were some substan
ial reductions in freight rates.
Much helpful legislation has been
enalted and more will be this win
ter. Interest rates are lower and
the rredit strain has been eased.
This has made it possible formahy
farmers who were rather heavily
involved to refund their obliga-
tions and get themselves in ron
dition to win through.
There are still some dark spots
In some sections weather condi-
tions were unfavorable and crops
were short, and farmers in these
sections, are having very hard
time Of it. Freight rates are still
too high, especially for those who
must pay for the long haul to
market.
Taxes are high, but this is due
largely to the increase in local
taxes, over which farmers them
selves must exercise control.
There has been gratifying
growth in farmers cooperative
marketing associations, and more
of them are being organized on a
sound business basis.
Aside from the help which has
been given by legislation and by
administration activities, strong
economic forces are at work to
restore a more normal relation
, between agriculture and other in
dustries.
The peril in the agricultural
depression is more keenly realized
by other groups than ever before,
and on every hand a sincere de-
sire 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 year
1923.