Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-01-05

New Y&dr's Statement and Re-
sumo of Agriculture Conditions
and Prospects from Secretary
of Agriculture Wallace.
Twelve months ago most OF
.he six million farmers of the
United States were starting onF
the long climb out of the valley
of economic depression. They
have not yet attained the heights
which are bathed III the grateful
sunshine of prosperity. Som u
indeed, have fallen by the wa.
Others are still in the valley.
Nevertheless, as we stop bit
and look backward we can seel
that very considerable ground
has been gained by the great ma
iority. and we can enter the New
Year with renewed hope and with
that courage which comes from
liberalization that we are really
m taking progress.
A year ago, when speaking OF
the prospects for farming in 1922,
l said that while there was no
reason to expect boom times Tor
the farmer in the near future,
there was promise of better times,
both for the farmer and for those
whose business iss largely de-
Ipendent upon him. Tie year has
brought fulfillment of that prom
Iise. Speaking generally, times
Iare better, much better, than a
lyear ago. both for agriculture
and for industry.
| Crops have been good, on the
whole. Prices of the major crop:
are mostly considerably higher
While there has been a cores
bonding advance in the prices o
the things the farmer must buy
the total sum which farme,s vii
receive for the crops of this Yea
is greater by billion and hal
ldollars or more than that VIII,
they received for the crops of las
lyear. This will certainly meal
better times on the farm, ant
farm folks will be able to ease III
little on the grinding econom,
: they were forced to practice tn
preceding year.
The labor cost of producing
the crops of 1922 was still fur
ther reduced. There were som
substantial reductions in fre:gll
rates Much helpful Legislation
has been enacted and more vii
be this winter. Interest rates ar
lower and the credit strain ha
been eased. This has made
possible for many farmers VIII
j were rather heavily involved t
refund their obligations and &c
themselves in condition to wi
through.
There are still some dark spot
In some sections weather cOnd
tions were unfavorable and crop
were short, and farmers III thes
sections are having a very har
I time of it. Freight rates are sti
too high, especially for thos
who must pay for a long haul
market.
Taxes are high, but this
largely due to the increase i
local taxes. over which farmer
themselves must exercise contro
There has been gratifying
growtk in farmers co-operativ
I marketing associations, and NOR
! of them are being organized on
sound business basis.
j Aside from the help which ha
been given by legislation and b,
administrative activities, strons
ECONOMIC forces are at work t.
trestore a more normal relation
between agriculture and otheI
industries.
1 The peril in the agriculture
depression is more keenly realized
by other groups than ever before
and. on every hand sincere de.
Isile is being evidenced to dc
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.