CAN FARMING BE MADE TO PAY AT PRESENT PRICES ?

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2012, 5 August 1880, Page 3

CAN FARMING BE MADE TO PAY AT PRESENT PRICES ?

TO THE EDITOE OF THE FEE 33.

Blß,—lt is not intended by the following remarks to eefc up the writer's judgment as superior to that of a gentleman of such extensive experience, both in farming stock and agriculture, as Mr Grigg. The object of the writer is rather to draw forth tho explanations which it is hoped can and will be given upon ■everal matters that appear at first view to be questionable. My first objection io that no such block of land as Mr Grigg assumes to be available, namely, 200 acres of good agricultural land wholly free from waste or deterioation of any kind, can be found, or at least if obtainable can bo procured save at an exceptionally high price, 7 or 8 per cent on which (the rate of intereat to bo expected on tho investment according to Mr Grigg) would amount to a very high figure. It seems to me, therefore, that Mr Grigg's allowance of two acres for homestead, and three acres for outbuildings is not sufficient to allow for all waste from fences ditches, watercourses, floods, &3. If the farmer be a leaseholder there will probably be not only the cost of the lease in the first instance, but also covenants on the part of the tenant to keep fences, drains, and buildings in repair, and to insure. For all these expenses I don't find any allowance made, nor yet for land tax or taxes of any kind, save road rates. The sums allowed for plant, namoly, ploughs, dray, drill, and dairy utensils, including delivery at farm, all seem under present prices. Again, one bushel per acre seems too small an allowance for seed, and 5s per acre for use of reaper and binder and wire, appears to be under the mark, t j say nothing of the imprudence of depending on a borrowed reaper for seventy-five acres of land, exposed to the risk of nor'-westers, sparrows, &e. Nor do I find any sum allowed for stooking and stacking. The carting of grain when threshed a distance of twelve miles on country roads, with ordinary weather, will occupy from five to seven weeks, du»ing which tho plough must lie idle, at a time of year.when it should be preparing the ground for the next year's crop. Forty bushels of barley per acre seems a large yield considering risk from caterpillars, &o. I don't see any allowance for preparing and carting to market potatoes, carrots, vetches, seed, for which £75 is credited to the farm. b

Again, the ti-»>e of farmer and wife would be nearly occupied with ten cows, making and selling butter, rearing and selling calves and pigs—for which latter, and poultry, the prices credited to the farm appear high, and " credit is takon for sixty sheepskins from twenty-five Bheep. No allowanoe is made for wife's incapacity for work, or for losses of stock from death, sickness or accident. Lastly, Mr Grigg_ seems surprised at the results arrived at by himself, and concludes that a farm will not pay until we have a thorough reformation of prices. This conclusion I am unable to reconcile with the confident statement at the commencement of his paper, that farming can be made to pay. I feel that an apology is due to Mr Grigg and the public for what will doubtless appear to many my rashness in presuming to question conclusions upon farming arrived at by a gentleman of Mr Grigg's v/ell-known experience and intelligence. Yours, &c. ( Inquibeb.