Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1888 — The Tariff and Farm Values. [ARTICLE]

The Tariff and Farm Values.

New York Mail and Express. In his excellent speech in opposition to the Mills bill, Congressman Burrows showed how diversified industries have increased the value of farm lands. It is a table which cannot be too closely studied by the farmer. No one denies, of course, that protection diversifies the industries of a country. The most ardent free trader will admit that this has been the result of protection in this country. His objection is that the diversification has been too expensive; that the manufacturers hffVe not paid for the aid they have received from the tar ff. We shall see, however, that the value of farm lands is greatly increased whenever the industries of a community are varied; that where the per centage of farmers is smallest the value of farms per acre is largest, and where most of the community is engaged in agriculture the value.of the farm land is lowest. Mr. Burrows divided the States and the Territories into four groups. In the first he placed that part of the country where less than 3 > per cent, of the people are engaged in agriculture; the second over 30 and less than 50; the third over 50 and less than 70; the fourth, 70 and over. The average value per acre of farm land in the 30 per cent, group is $38.65.—1n the group where more than 30 per cent, and less than 50 per cent, of the population are farmers, tbe value of an acre of farm land is $30.55. In the third, it is $13.53; in the fourth group, 70 per cent, and more, the value of farm lands is only $5.18 an acre. How can any one say, after this showing, that the protective tariff has not helped the farmer?