The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-31
1885 SEEN AS
TURNING POINT
Agriculture Looks
to New Year With
Encouragement.
BY EDMOND c. FOUST
Editor, HOOsier Farmer.

Editor, HOosier Farmer.
Indiana farmers look back upon
1884 as the turning point in agricul-
ture favorable to the occupation.
The general rise in farm commodity
prices, coupled with fair produc-
ton, is encouraging. Benefit pay
mentS for crop reduction have in
creased the farm income, and con-
sequently have added to the i'm
proved business conditions in each
rural community of the state.
Crops have not yielded as high as
in some previous years. Livestock
has been reduced in numbers, but
a higher quality remains on the
farms. In round figures the 1884
corn production was 102 million
bushels, compared with 1877 million
bushels in 1888. However, corn now
is selling at IS cents to 80 cents
a huShel, whereas not far in the
past IS cents a buShel and even as
low as Is cents a bushel were the
prices received for good Indiana
corn.
Oats Crop Reduced
The lack of sufficient moisture
last season reduced the oats crop
from % million bushels in 1888 to
16 million bushels N 1884. The
substantial increase in price did not
overcome the bushelage loss in final
returns. Wheat, in spite of the crop
reduction program under the AAA,
showed a shade above an average
crop. The price received showed
approximately a 10 per cent in
crease. Soy bean production in
creased nearly half million BUSH
els. The price is about ST a bushel.
Fewer milk COWS are in produc-
ton at present than year ago. The
average milk production is de-
creased, owing to a shortage in pas
ture during last fall and the short
age of forage for winter feeding.
Butterfat prices have increased
more than so per cent during the
year. This has been reflected in the
milk market, although the dairy in
dustry is still lacking in improve
ment as compared to other phases
of agriculture.
Pig Crop Pared
The 1884 pig crop in the United
States shows a decrease of approx
mately 81 per cent. The Indiana
situation compares favorably with
the national figures. Prices of hogs
have increased about so per cent
during 1884
In addition to these increased
prices, Indiana farmers have al
ready received more than II million
dollars in benefit payments under
the Agricultural Adjustment Act,
and more are to follow.
Through the various cooperative
organizations affiliated with the In
diana Farm Bureau, great volume
of agricultural commodities are
marketed and farm supplies are
purchased. Through the Central
States Grain Assn. more than 51a
million bushels of grain were mar
marketed in 1884; 10 per cent of the
wool reached the market through
the Indiana Wool Growers Assn;
IS per cent of the livestock in the
state was marketed comparatively
through the Producer Agencies; 25
million pounds of butter were man.
ufactured by the Midwest Produ-
GERS Creameries, and milk was han
died comparatively at several points
10000 Go to Coop.
More than 10000 farmers pur-
chased part of all of their farm
supplies through the Indiana Farm
Bureau COOPERATIVE Assn. The
commodities handled by the Co
Operative include feed, fel tilizer
coal, fence, petroleum products
seeds, and other supplies which
enter into the cost of production
on the farm. Each week 275 trucks
supply petroleum products to farm
ers in every county in the state. In
86 counties cooperative units dis
tribute the products. Cooperative
contracts exist now and operate or
fertilizer and implements.
Farmers in Indiana are co-operat-
ing to adjust production to demand
They look upon the year of 1885,
with encouragement. They will con-
tribute toward any movement thai
will be beneficial to society in gen
eral. The Indiana Farm Bureau ask
only a square deal for agriculture.