The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1936-12-23

eS, rent, interest and production ex-
penses, was estimated by Secretary
Of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace at
more than three times that Of 1892
the low point Of the depression.
In terms Of Industrial products
bought by the farmer, the purchas-
ing power of the 1886 crop was the
greatest since 1919. Increases In
the sale value Of farm lands and
buildings during the year added
another $500, 100000 to farm
wealth.
The two most important events
Of the year affecting agriculture
were the drouth and the invalida-
ton Of Agricultural Adjustment Act
by the Supreme Court on Jan. 6
To replace the outlawed A.A.A
Congress passed the Soil Conserva-
ton Act, providing payment OF
$500, 100000 year for soil-conserv-
ing practices.
Farmers Paid 300 Million
Payments on 1885 contracts and
under the soil conservation act
provided farmers an income OF
5000, 100000 during the 1896 cal
endar year. Most OF the payments
OF soil conservation practices In
1885 will be made in 1887.
The drouth affected virtually
every major crop. No estimate OF
the monetary value of crops de-
stroyed was possible, although Wal
lace figured the drouth reduced pro-
duction by one-fourth.
Nearly one-third Of the nations
area was seriously affected. There
were 1870 counties in Is states de-
signated as emergency drouth
counties. These contained a popu-
lation Of more than 20000,000 per-
I sons.
Five entire states Nebraska
Oklahoma, Kansas, North Dakota
and South Dakota--were declared
emergency drouth areas. Only four
counties in Missouri escaped that
designation. Ia South Carolina,
seven counties were excepted and
in Kentucky /? we're left out
The principal drouth area ex-
tended from the Rocky Mountains
on the west to the Mississippi River
on the east. and from the Cana
dian border to Central Texas, and
into half dozen southeastern
states reaching to the Atlantic
Cast.
Summer Without Rain
Weeks OF soaring heat, unbroken
by rains from June to September
and interspersed by devastating dust
storms. took heavy toll in crops
livestock and human suffering. Nor,
than 100000 farm persons wer'
made dependent upon federal relief
II exceeded in It's severity. II not ir
extent, tn disastrous 1884 drouth.
Agriculture officials said one re-
suit of the drouth would be a revo-
luton In farming methods IN thu
so-called dry-land states. The gov
crrment already has begun TO take
hundreds Of thousands of acres ouj
OF cultivation and will return then
TO grasses.
President Roosevelt, declaring
the drouth a, national catastrophe
created a commission headed b.
Morris l.. Cooke, director Of Rura
Identification Administration, t.
study resisting farming
methods and report recommends
tons to congress for legislation Il
further a long range program.
The Works Progress Administra-
ton and the Resettlement Admin
istration gave employment, loan
and grants TO approximately 100000
stricken families at q cost OF morf
than 100000, 900. Drouth victim
would compose city nearly the
size OF Chicago.
Food Supply Adequate
Despite the second severe droutl
in three years, Department Of Ag'
riculture economists said, there vii
be no food shortage. The supply
for marketing will be within ! or
per cent of that Of year ago, Wal
lace estimated. Food prices, M
said, still are Is TO 20 per cent be-
low the depression level.
The farmers purchasing poWel
was the highest in II years, the bu'
reau OF agricultural economics re
ported. In years Of greater income
prices farmers have had to pay To-
Industrial products have been rela
lively higher.
Cash net income was estimated
by the bureau at $1,000, 900, a gain
OF about 10 per cent over 1885 ant
80 per cent over the low point O.
the depression in 1882.
There have been marked eco
nomic gains in other directions" c
w. Kitchen, assistant chief OF tn
bureau said. "A reduction IN farm
mortgage debt with the lowest inter
est rates on long term loans In ouI
history, a rise OF about IL per cen
in farm real estate values since thu
depression low and fewer foreclos
Iires."
Farm Values Rise
The value Of farm land and build
ings has risen from less than $3l,
900, OOO,0 900 In 1888 to more thai
$34. 900 600, 900 this year, Kitchen
said. Farmers received return u
rs per cent ON their net capital in
vcstment in 1885 AS compared witt
~ per cent in 1884, the Nationa
Industrial Conference board esti
mated.
The outlook for agriculture in 1888
Is favorable, Kitchen said. A II
per cent increase in industrial pre-
duction Is In prospect and work.
conditions have so improved as t
indicate demands for American
farm products, he said.
Surpluses OF virtually every farm
product have been reduced by thu
AAA, soil conservation and two
drouth years since 1888. Export
have decreased and imports In
creased, In some instances as muci
as 500 per cent. The total OF i'm
ports, however. still Is not NOR
than 2 per cent OF American pro
duction as q whole.
Corn, cattle and wheat have beer
the principal farm imports. Heav!
imports OF Argentine corn wer'