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Editorial
December 13, 1921
The Commonwealth
Scotland Neck, Halifax County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Editorial laments the historically low purchasing power of US farm products amid economic woes, describes farmer despair and urban migration, and urges price adjustments or crop diversification to include livestock and vegetables for profitability. Notes resilience of farming and calls for expert intervention.
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Full Text
LOW PURCHASING POWER
OF FARM PRODUCTS
It is stated by the Agricultural
Department that the purchasing
power of farm products is the
lowest in the history of the United
States, the Secretary describing
the vicious circle into which
American farming has been
thrown by disturbed economic
conditions, stating however that
he sees light ahead.
We heard a farmer of this section
say a few days ago that he
never expected to stick a plow into
the ground again as long as he
lived; that he had rather dig ditches
on the streets than to work
the whole year from daylight to
dark and at the end of the year
have nothing but what he and
his family has had to eat during
the year; and this man is above
the average in intelligence. He
has simply realized the fact that
there is no money in farming as
it is being done in this section.
The fact is often deplored that
men are leaving the farms seeking
employment in the crowded cities,
but how can one expect anything
else when a man is forced to
work the whole year just for
board for himself and family.
One of two things must be done
to relieve this condition; there
must either be a readjustment of
prices paid for farm products so
that there will be a profit above
cost of production, or else
we
must get away from the one, two
or three money crop system--cot-
tton, tobacco and peanuts--and
raise a number of cattle, hogs,
sheep, chickens, etc., on every
farm in addition to vegetables
and other things for man
and
beast, and just enough of the
money crops to assure a supply
of clear money at the end of
each year. If this is done, then
the surplus in the three crops of
cotton, tobacco and peanuts will
be cut down and there will
be
such a demand for these products
that there will be some real profit
in farming.
The farmer's plight for the
last year or so, in fact, for all
time, with the exception of possibly
1918-19, has been a deplorable
one and has been enough
to discourage the stoutest heart
and no other business upon the
face of the earth would have survived
except farming. It is time
that the thoughts of the best
minds in this country should be
put to work on this problem and
something done to stiffen the
backbone of the country's business,
namely, farming.
OF FARM PRODUCTS
It is stated by the Agricultural
Department that the purchasing
power of farm products is the
lowest in the history of the United
States, the Secretary describing
the vicious circle into which
American farming has been
thrown by disturbed economic
conditions, stating however that
he sees light ahead.
We heard a farmer of this section
say a few days ago that he
never expected to stick a plow into
the ground again as long as he
lived; that he had rather dig ditches
on the streets than to work
the whole year from daylight to
dark and at the end of the year
have nothing but what he and
his family has had to eat during
the year; and this man is above
the average in intelligence. He
has simply realized the fact that
there is no money in farming as
it is being done in this section.
The fact is often deplored that
men are leaving the farms seeking
employment in the crowded cities,
but how can one expect anything
else when a man is forced to
work the whole year just for
board for himself and family.
One of two things must be done
to relieve this condition; there
must either be a readjustment of
prices paid for farm products so
that there will be a profit above
cost of production, or else
we
must get away from the one, two
or three money crop system--cot-
tton, tobacco and peanuts--and
raise a number of cattle, hogs,
sheep, chickens, etc., on every
farm in addition to vegetables
and other things for man
and
beast, and just enough of the
money crops to assure a supply
of clear money at the end of
each year. If this is done, then
the surplus in the three crops of
cotton, tobacco and peanuts will
be cut down and there will
be
such a demand for these products
that there will be some real profit
in farming.
The farmer's plight for the
last year or so, in fact, for all
time, with the exception of possibly
1918-19, has been a deplorable
one and has been enough
to discourage the stoutest heart
and no other business upon the
face of the earth would have survived
except farming. It is time
that the thoughts of the best
minds in this country should be
put to work on this problem and
something done to stiffen the
backbone of the country's business,
namely, farming.
What sub-type of article is it?
Agriculture
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Farm Products
Purchasing Power
Agricultural Crisis
Farming Reform
Diversification
Cotton
Tobacco
Peanuts
Economic Conditions
Rural Depression
What entities or persons were involved?
Agricultural Department
Secretary
Farmers
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Low Purchasing Power Of Farm Products And Need For Farming Reform
Stance / Tone
Concerned Advocacy For Agricultural Adjustment
Key Figures
Agricultural Department
Secretary
Farmers
Key Arguments
Purchasing Power Of Farm Products Is Lowest In Us History Due To Disturbed Economic Conditions
Farmers Discouraged, Some Abandoning Farming For City Work
Need Readjustment Of Prices For Profit Above Production Costs
Shift From One Crop System (Cotton, Tobacco, Peanuts) To Diversified Farming With Livestock And Vegetables
Diversification Would Reduce Surplus And Increase Demand For Money Crops
Farming Has Endured Despite Deplorable Conditions Unlike Other Businesses
Urgent Need For Best Minds To Address Farming Crisis