Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 March 1904 — CHEAP GERMAN LABOR. [ARTICLE]

CHEAP GERMAN LABOR.

Hand Work Costa Farmers in Fatherland Less Than Use of Machines. In a recent report to the department of state on the use of agricultural machines in Germany, Oliver J. D. Hughes, consul-general at Coburg, calls attention to the fact that many of the machines offer no advantages, as It Is cheaper to utilize hand labor. In the bourse of this report, according to the New York Times, Mr. Hughes says: “It seems to me that while the small tradespeople (of Germany) must be supplanted or absorbed by larger rivals, this cannot be said of the agriculturists, as the smaller farmer possesses many advantages over the large landowner, which show that the small farmer has a good chance to compete with the large landowner in the present as well as in the future. Certain branches of agriculture, as, for instance, the so-called spade cultivations, are only possible and profitable on the lands of the small farmer, ab the larger landowner has to have this work done by the use of machinery, which is more expensive or at least costs more in cash outlay. “For Instance, the expense caused by the use of a grain-sowing machine 19 21 cents per hectare, while the cost for hand labor Is only cents; further still, the manure-scattering machine costs 26 cents, as against 13 cents for hand labor; the self-binding grain machine costs $2.67, as against $2.61 for hand labor. Finally, I may say that the potato and turnip gathering machines also cost more than band labor, although I am unable at present td givo the exact figures."