The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-06-13


! Florida-the farm population de-
creased from $685. 900 to 6,241, 900,
which indicated a net loss to agricul-
ture in those great farming states Of
! 1000 persons There were 231 600
births in 1922 against $4,000 deaths.
| The next group, the East South
Central-Kentucky, Tennessee, Ala
bama, Mississippi, and Louisiana
showed net loss Of about 10000
persons. In the West South Central
group-Arkansas Oklahoma and Tex
as-the number decreased from 1882
600 on Jan. l. 1922, to 4,975, 900 at the
end of the year, q net loss Of 157, 900.
AS in all other groups the loss was
largely reduced by the normal in
crease. There were $4,000 deaths and
the number OF births exceeded
$4,000.
In the farming states of the Mid
die West, the West North Central
group-Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa,
Nebraska Kansas and MissOuri-the
farm population on Jan. ], 1922, was
approximately 5,245,OOO. On Dec. 81
last this total had decreased to 6.101,-
600, showing a loss of $4,000. In
those states births totaled $780, 900 and
deaths $4,000.
The East North Central group
Ohio Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and
Wisconsin-on Jan. 1, 1922, had an
agricultural population OF 1881, 900.
OF these 148,O 900 moved into towns
and cities in the year Just ended.
The babies again came to the front
Births numbered $4,000 and deaths
41,OOO.
In the West.
In the Mountain group of States
Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Wyo-
ming, Colorado, Arizona and New Mex
ico--the loss by the movement from
farms was c3,0C0, A decrease from
1.172. 600 to 100000. Births were
10000 and deaths 1000.
In the Pacific proup-California |
Oregon and Westinghouse was ex-
pected that the farm population would |
show substantial increase. Instead, |
1t dropped about 1900, decrease
from GOT 600 on January 1. 1922. to
$4,000 at the end of the year. Births
numbered about 10000 and deaths
8, OOO
The Department of Agriculture has
prepared two charts, one showing the
trend Of the movement to and from
farms during the so years between
1870 and 1920, and the second trend
In the three years that ended Decem- |
Der 81 last. These charts show that
the population was practically station
airy in 1920. The trend to town be-
came unmistakable in the latter half
Of 1921 and Is still under way.
Cities and towns are increasing at
the average annual rate Of about 4 per
cent, and the farm population Is de-
,reasing at more than 1 per cent,
,aking into consideration the excess
Of births over deaths and all other
favorable features.
Gray Silver, who directs the Ameri-
IAN Farm Bureau federation in Wash
largest OF all the farmer
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES asked to comment
IN the situation.
Farmers Are Discouraged.
1.-THE Department Of Agriculture's
recent statistics" said Mr.. Silver,
Showing that one out of every six
cen farmers in the United States sold
lis farm last year, that the occupants
If one out of every five farms moved
,ither to other farms or elsewhere. and
hat 100000 tenants discontinued
arming altogether and sought some
'ther occupation, proves statistically
hat the farmers have. not been able to
ecure a proper return for their hard
abor and the isolated life which they
I've
'"The Department Of Agriculture has
made public statistics showing that in
survey Of 5000 farms Of more than
verage size, representing an average
Investment OF $40, 400 for capital and
abor, the average owner-operator
1ade the munificent return Of $917 In
022. This return included $2O2 in
1ventories OF crops, livestock and ma
hinery, leaving only Sis available to
ay mortgages, interest on investment
nd living expenses
For number OF years farmers
ave received a very low return for
leir labor when interpreted In terms
E money, but the year just passed and
1e preceding year broke all records.
eferring again to the Department OF
griculture's figures, as applied to the
urchasing power Of the farmer In
srms OF farm products, we find that
uring 1922 his 1913 dollar on the av-
-age was worth 90 cents, and in No
amber of that year 1t fell to 60 cents
he highest value throughout the year
as In March, when it was worth rs =
ents. In 1920 it was SO cents In the =
rec war years the farmers dollar adj =
tnced to $1O6, SLIP and Sill re- lis
'ectfvely, but as an offset the whole Ia
lie price of other products advanced
rther. The wholesale price Of COM IL
ODDITIES other than farm products anC
cd were at $1.75, $1.86 and $1.95. tE
"All this grief has come to the