Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1917 — COMMUNITY LOOKING FOR PROSPEROUS YEAR [ARTICLE]

COMMUNITY LOOKING FOR PROSPEROUS YEAR

Indications Are That Crop Shortages Are At An End and Prosperity Should Reign. If the old adage l that a long, cold, severe winter means a bumper crop the next summer, holds good, then jasper county farmers are in for a prosperous season. For the past three years the crops, in this section, and other sections too, for that matter, have been away below normal and as a result the average farmer has felt pretty discouraged. Long drouths and heavy rains in the past three seasons have got? ten in their work and during this era of ill luck the farmer has suffered financially to an extent. Not only has the farmer suffered during a period of this kind, but -practically every other line of business has had a business depression ag "Well. A period such us this that they have gone .hrough with has naturally tightened jhe pocketbook strings of everyone. Money has not been spent so promise cuously and freely as in former years. Expense with no financial returns nave worked a hardship on the entire community and has caused all to de-

prive themselves to an extent. Money may be almost as plentiful as formerly, but it is not in circulation, and with a condition of this sort existing in the community it is very noticeable to all.’ Local businessmen, .vhile not complaining, say that business has not been quite up to normal. Such a period as this only serves to show how clbsely related the farmer is to the business man and that when one • suffers the other suffers naturally. Notwithstanding all of these reverses there seems to be an air of confidence among all. Many general cleanup sales are being held, and it is probable that Jasper county farmers this coming year will be better equipped for work than they have been before. Good weather will mean a bumper crop and the relieving, of the money stringency in jall. circles during the coming season/The farmer and business man will be prosperous, happy and contented and an era of long prosperity is bound to follow.