Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1899 — Cora Question Once More. [ARTICLE]

Cora Question Once More.

If the com question has not been exhausted, and we claim that it has not been by any means, allow us to again say a word in favor of producing corn for less than twenty cents per bushel. I would be glad if any farmer in the county could read an article in Sunday’s (Apr. 16) Inter Ocean, which gives an account of the expenses of running a farm of six thousand acres in lowa. This man cleared $50,000 in ’9B and he gives a complete account of his operations. He itemizes his expenses even down to the oil used on his machines, fuel, lights, house supplies, repairs, etc., and he raised corn for 9 cents. Here is an extract from the article: “The question is often asked, ‘What does it cost to produce a bushel of corn?’ On this farm, the size of thirty-five ordinary farms, with a sixty bushel crop; the cost was 9 cents per bushel in the crib.” He says in any event the cost varies from year to year with the yield, and the only fixed estimate which the farmer can give is the cost per acre for producing the crop. This remains always practically the same and is, roughly speaking, $4.50 for small grain and $5.00 for corn. We would be very glad to have every farmer in the country read of this farm as it shows just what can be done with a farm, where business methods are applied. It makes us feel that the farm is not a low menial business, as we often hear stated. The farm has attractions enough if properly brought out to hold the young men and boys and prevent a great number of them from going to the city where they have slim chances for ever getting above a common clerkship. We trust that no hard feeling has been engendered in this corn controversy. Personally we had no other thought in view, but to bring out from others what the actual cost to them had been to raise corn.