Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1922-12-27
PROSPECTS FOR
AGRICULTURE j ]. IN q


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 depres-
sion. They have not yet attained the
heights which are bathed in the CRATE
full sunshine Of prosperity. Some, in
deed, 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. 55s4.
a A year ago, when speaking Of the
prospects for farming in 1922, j 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 fulfllment 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
aconside rably higher. While there has
been corresponding 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 half dol
lars 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 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-
duced. There were some substantial
reductions in freight rates. Much
helpful legislation has been enacted
and more will be this winter. Inter
est rates are lower and the credit
strain has been eased. This has made
ut possible for many farmers who
were rather heavily. involved to re-
fund their obligations and get them
selves in condi ton to win thIAnall
There are still some dark spots. In
some sections weather conditions were
unfavorable and crops were short, and
. ANA AVA0 III tAAC0V tENNOAVA0 IA "
a very hard time Of it. Freight rates
are still too high, especially for those
who must pay for a long haul to
market. .@s.& II: 5t,. d;
Taxes are high, but this is largely
due to the increase In local taxes,
over which farmers themselves must
exercise control.
There has been gratifying growth
In farmers cooperative marketing as
sociations, and more of them are being
organized on sound business basis.
Aside from the help which has been
given by legislation and by admins
tration activities, strong economic
forces are at work to restore more
normal relation between agriculture
and other industries. Es s :ss
The peril in the agricultural depres-
sion is more keenly realized by other
groups than ever before, and on every
I hand sincere desire is being evil
!. denced to do what can be done safely
to help the farmer better his condi-
ton. ts
Everything consid Tered. we have good
reason to expect still better things for
5 agriculture In the year 1928. 81