The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1930-10-01
Farming Industry to Come Back
First After Period of
Depression

1881 will be a better agricultural
wear than the country has seen for
long time, predicts Roger Babson af-
ter a trip through the middle west, in
an article written for the Minneapo-
lis Tribune.
Hard hit this year from now on the
farmer should be better off each
year. His work is becoming better
organized, the government is assist
ing him in marketing, and he will
benefit from better help at lower
wages, better merchandise at lower
prices and better crops.
He predicts an upward trend on
agricultural prices ON the whole, for
feed stuffs especially. Farm products
prices moved up too rapidly a few
weeks ago when the reports were
most alarming and prices worked
downward again when later it be-
came known that damage was not so
severe as pictured.
Agricultural prices have apparent
ly turned the corner, he says, and
while no great boon is expected,
higher average level than this sum-
mer's low prices is likely. With gen.
eral retail prices still declining this
means that the farmers position will
improve, because things they have to
sell will be worth more in terms of
the things they have to buy.
Farming industry requires hard
work, profits are small, and many
left the farms for "better opportuni
ties" in the cities. For while these
better opportunities existed, but now
they are completely gone in many in
stances.
Farming is not a lucrative bust
ness, but every farmer who attends
to business gets living and some
thing more both in good times and
in bad times. This is more than be
said of most industries.
For the past few years the farm
to-the-city movement has been slow
ing up. Latest census statistics show
that metropolitan centers are now
losing population rather than in the
rural districts. Population is spread
ing into suburban areas, and grad
ually pushing into rural farming dis
tricts.
Total farm production is running
16 per cent larger than it was ten
years ago in spite of the fact that
the number of farmers is much
smaller. The up-to-date farmer is
able to get more production per acre.
Babson also sees an increased eff
ficiency in the use of power, attain
ing greater yields with less acreage.
Twice the amount of fertilizer is be-
ing used than 20 years ago. Science
has taught him the feeds to use, the
right sort of livestock to breed and
raise, and taught him to combat in
sect pests.
There are already 100000 miles of
electric power lines for farming pur-
poses. According to recent surveys
it is estimated that electrical service
will be extended to 100000 farms
in the next four years.
Farming is usually the first indus
try to come back after period OF
general economic depression. Inc
farmer is fiat on his back now and
there is no way to look but upward.
He has learned his lesson from the
hard times just as financial and busl-
ness men have learned their lessons.
He sees the advantage of cooperation
now whereas he could not see 1t
a year ago. His attitude is better.
With increased farming efficiency
and the probability of higher prices
for farm products it will create bet
ter times throughout the farming
regions