On the Farm

In the light of the widespread political agitation in behalf of the American farmer, the U. S. Department of Agriculture's index of farm prices paid to producers for the principal American farm crops is interesting. On Oct. 1, 1923, this index was 27.3% higher than on the same day in 1922, and 25.6% higher than on the same day in 1921. It is true that the latest index figure, as of Oct. 1, 1923, is 11.3% lower than the average for the last 10 years, but it must be remembered that this ten-year average is partly based upon the tremendously inflated prices of the War period. In September, 1923, the index showed an increase of 2.2%. These figures illustrate a fallacy regarding American agriculture much commented upon lately--the tendency to judge it entirely by the price of wheat. Recently corn sold at the same price as wheat, showing that, even though the latter is cheap, the former is very dear.