Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 January 1914 — FARM CONDITIONS IN INDIANA [ARTICLE]

FARM CONDITIONS IN INDIANA

By G. I. CHRISTIE, Superintendent ?gricultpraf Extension, Purdue University. L . A study of farm conditions in Indiana shows in a conclusive way that the possibilities of farming have but in a small measure been realized. Few farms have reached their maximum In production and few farmers dare to feel that they have solved the many complex problems which present themselves in connection with the many operations. The interest in agriculture Is widespread. Not only are the farmers giving more attention to improved methods in the cultivation of crops, production of live stock, marketing of the products, etc., but commercial clubs, chambers of commerce, railroads,JhsLpreßS and other organized bodies and institutions are showing a most direct and active interest in farming conditions.

While there are various reasons for the interest taken by commercial and city people In agriculture, the main one is the realization of the need and value of a greater production of farm products. Evidence on every hand points to the fact that production of foodstuffs in the United States has •ot kept pace with the increase In population. The result is that the demand almost equals the supply, withthe further result that prices have been materially increased until the working man begins to' wonder whether he is tp be Able to get his meals at a price he can Afford to pay. The hope for betterment of this condition lies in part in an increased production. An average of 40 bushels of corn per acre in Indiana is not satisfactory when it has been clearly demonstrated that the majority of Indiana land is capable of producing 60 to 80 Bushels. During the past few years many acreshaveproduced more than 100 bushels with no more care and attention than could be afforded to every acre of the entire crop. Is it more than reasonable to expect some Increase in the corn crop of Indiana in the very near future? Similar conditions are found with wheat, oats and other crops.' The application of better methods in cultivation, fertilization, etc., will give results. The crops are needed and farmers are bound to ntake every effort to meet the demand. Not only will it be possible to increase production on the land now under cultivation but large areas of good land In the state await improvement and are capable of producing large crops which will materially Increase the total output of the state. The area of agricultural laud in Indiana exceeds 22,000,000 acres. The total area cropped each year in the state with corn, oats, wheat, rye, clover, timothy, alfalfa, potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, orchards, small fruits, beets, onions, cabbage and other crops is less than 12,000,000 acres. Drainage, clearing, fertilization, etc., will bring a large share of the remaining 10,000,000 acres into a productive state. This requires an investment on the part of the owners and more farm labor. Therefore, there must come with Improved methods In production higher prices which will warrant further investment together with more and a better class of farm labor. The farmer on the land is unable to do all the work on the farm and at the same time give the necessary attention to the business side of farming which demands more and more consideration with the development of agriculture. Few manufacturers today are doing all of the work in their plants. The details are left to superintendents and foremen, skilled men, capable of directing the force necessary to accomplish the piece of work. To be sure, these men are receiving good wages, but cannot farmers give equal compensation If a high class of labor is secured, and returns shown in both increased production and the' quality of the product? Indiana farms must have more and better labor if the demands for higher production are to be met in a substantial way. Better labor will mean higher wages, but these can be met without increasing the price of foodstuffs to the consumers.

It is an evident fact that farmers are entitled to higher prices and that these prices should be secured with out burdening the consumer. Last year the price paid in the United States for farm products was $6,000,000,000. The consumer paid for these lame products $13,000,000,000. It cost $7,000,000,000 to deliver the product from the farm to the consumer. Is there not an opportunity to bring the producer and the consumer closer together, with benefit to both? Indiana farms produce large sup plies of foodstuffs which are never marketed. Neglect, lack of ready sale, improper facilities for handling and marketing—these and other causes have been factors in thousands ot bushels of apples and other fruits, to matoes, and other products being fed to bogs or allowed to rot. . Of course, the farmer’s Income is materially lessened by this practice, while the people in town are forced to pay exorbitant prices for imported products. This condition can be changed through co-operative marketing, and steps should be taken to organize farmers so that a better quality of product can be placed upon the market at a greater pet income. Such organization will bring about eo-operatlon which will develop strength and leadership in the agrl- ! cultural communities. Conditions are such that the problems of the farm and country life must be worked out through active working bodies.