Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1899 — FARMERS’ GREATEST YEAR. [ARTICLE]

FARMERS’ GREATEST YEAR.

Figures Which Show that 1898 Beat All Records The farmers of this country, made more money in 1898 than ever before in its history. The statistical reports from the Department of Agriculture show unprecedented crops and unprecedented prices. The corn crop in 1890 amounted to 2,283,875,165 bushels, valued at $449,276,030; in 1897 it was 1,902,967,933 bushels, valued at $501,072,952. In 1898, according to present estimates, the vdlume was not only largely increased, but the farm value of corn throughout the country averages 2.4 cents a bushel more than in 1897. The wheat crop in 1896, at 72 cents a bushel, was valued at $427,684,346; in 1897, at 80.8 per bushel, it was valued at $428,547,121. The increase in 1898 was 1,411,692 acres, the largest in history, and the crop was unprecedented in quality, quantity and price. The barley caop in 1897 was worth $25,142,139 at 37 cents a bushel. The figures for 1898 are not in yet, but the price is 41.4 cents a bushel and the preliminary report shows a crop slightly above the average. The same may be said of rye, which is quoted at 46.3 cents a bushel, against 44.7 in 1897. The farm price for oats in 1898, according to the official figures of the Agricultural Department, is 25.6 cents a bushel, against 21.2 for 1897 and 19.5 in 1896. The totals are not in yet, but in 1897 the crop was valued at $147,974,719. Potatoes are now worth 41.4 cents a bushel on the farm, which is a large falling off from 1897, when they sold for 54.7 cents, but it is said that the difference will be more than made up by the Increase in the vol-

time of the crop, which is believed to be 21 per cent greater than in 1897, when the total was valued at $89,643,059. The hay crop of the United States in 1897 was valued at $401,390,728, with hay selling at $6.62 a ton. In 1898 the crop was the best on record, and it is selling at an average of $6 a ton throughout the country. ' During the calendar year ended Dec. 31 the value of the breadstuffs sold abroad was $317,000,000, provisions $174,000,000 and cotton $233,000,000, making a total of $724,000,000 worth of farm products exported and sold at better prices than were ever known before.