Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1917 — Food Stuffs 250 Per Cent Higher Than In 1900. [ARTICLE]

Food Stuffs 250 Per Cent Higher Than In 1900.

The price of cereals and live stock is estimated to have increased 250 per cent since 1900 and most of this increase has been within the last year or so. In 1900 wheat sold for 75c a bushel, in 1910 for 96c, in 1912 $1.06, in 1913, 98c, in 1915 for $1.25. Wheat is now brniging over $1.75 on the local market. During the early summer and shortly aftey the harvesting of the 1914 crop, wheat was bringing less than 75c a bushel. By the time war was declared it had risen to over SI.OO. A large number of farmers held their crops in hopes of increases in prices and managed to get good prices, but a large number sold at once and barely broke even. Hogs have made a like increase in price. In 1900 they sold for $4.90 and' continued to increase until they now sell near the $13.00 mark. They were formerly called the mortgage lifter, but with grain at the price it is now, it is doubtful if very much profit can be made in fattening hogs. Canned goods have risen 25 per cent since the war started, according to merchants, and are expected to make further increases. Flour is expected to rise to the $2.00 mark for 25 pounds by next fall and sugar has long been high. Cabbage now sells for 10c to 12%c per pound; onions sell for the same price and potatoes in some places are selling for SI.OO a peck.