The Ordway new era., 1922-12-29
Prospects for
Agriculture. !. In
Coming Year
~ SECRETARY WALLACE

Herewith is presented a New
v.,,s statement and resume of agri-
,,,ural conditions and prospects for
ns farmers as viewed by Secretary of
,rIeulture wallace:
gwolve months ago most of six
-u,,ou farmers of the United States
-.,o starting on the long hard climb
ant NJ the valley of economic depres-
,iOu. They have not yet attain
"A tho heights which are bathed in
,ho grateful sunshine of prosperity
somo have fallen by the way.
o,bars are still in the valley. Never
holess as we stop bit and look
h,ckwam We can see that very con-
Gderable ground has been gained
hv the great majority, and we can
,,tar the New Year with renewed
hono and with that courage which
,omes from realization that we are
really making progress.
yeaf aBo, "hch SpeaNihB vi 'hO
,rospects for farming in 1922. said
that while there was no reason to ex-
Deet boom times for the farmer in the
near future, there was promise of
better times. both for the farmer and
|iOr those whose business is largely
dependent upon him. The year has
brought fulfllment of that promise.
Spesklng generally. times are better.
much better. than 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
ihare has been corresponding ad-
yance in the prices of the things the
Farmer must buy, the total sum
yhich 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
rops of last yesr. This will certain
y mean better times on the farm, and
farm folks will be able to ease up
little on the griding economy they
we're forced to practice the preceding
Year.
The labor cost of producing the
prop of 1922 was still further re-
taced. There were some substantial
reductions in freight rates. Much
helpful legislation has been enacted
and more will be this winter. Inter-
st rates are lower and the credit
stran has been eased. This has made
I possible for many farmers who
we're rather heavily involved to re-
Fund their obligations and get them
felves in condition to win through.
There are still some dark spots.
IN SOME sections weather conditions
were nnfavorable and crops were
|hort. and farmers In these sections
Ere having very hard time of it.
FREIGHT rates are still too high. espec-
|'aliy for those who must pay for
Pong haul to market.
Taxes are high. hut this is largely
ae TO the increase in local taxes,
P'er which farmers themselves must
f4ercise control.
Ihere has been gratifying growth
Pn farmers cooperative marketing
pssociations, and more of them are
pehg organized on a sound business
basis.
aside from the help which has
|peeh given by legislation and by ad-
activities. strong econ
ph'c forces are at work to restore a
PAore normal relation between agri-
Fuitufe and other industries.
ihe peril in the agricultural de-
PRESTON is moro keenly realized by
''Her groups than ever before, and on
['esy hand a sincere desire is being
''uehced to do what can be done SAT-
|ditlon.
Every thing considered, we have
.s' f'ou reason to expect still better
,aaa nss Tor agriculture in the year