Page:The National Geographic Magazine Vol 16 1905.djvu/62

Rh world since Columbus discovered America. This year's product is over six times the amount of the capital stock of all na- tional banks; it lacks but three-fourths of a billion dollars of the value of the manufactures of 1900, less the cost of materials used ; it is three times the gross earnings from the operations of the railways and four times the value of all minerals produced in this country. The year 1904 keeps well up to the average of exports of farm products dur- ing the five years 1899-1903, amounting to over 859 millions, while the average for the five years was nearly 865 mill- ions. During the last 15 years the bal- ance of trade in favor of this country, all articles considered, exceeded 4,384 million dollars, but taking farm pro- ducts alone, these showed a balance in our favor of more than 5,300 millions. The increase i?i farm capital the Secre- tary estimates conservatively at 2,000 mill- ion dollars within four years — this with- out recognizing the marked increase in the value of land during the past two years. The most startling figures shown as illustrating the farmers' prosperity are those presented by deposits in banks in typical agricultural states. The Sec- retary selects for this illustration Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi. Taking all kinds of banks, national, state, private, and savings, the deposits increased from June 30, 1896, to October 31, 1904, in Iowa, 164 percent, in Kansas 219 per cent, and in Mississippi 301 per cent — in the United States 91 per cent. A simi- lar favorable comparison may be made as to the number of depositors.

The diffusion of well-being among farmers throughout all parts of the coun- try is one of the most conspicuous feat- ures of the recent agricultural develop- ment. This attracted attention a year ago and is now even more noticeable. The great South is more especially en- joying this growth of well-being, owing to the enhanced value of the cotton crop in addition to the general progress in agriculture. The Eastern farmer, who was long on the verge of bankruptcy in competition with the virgin soil and rapid expansion of the northern half of the Mississippi River Valley, has sur- vived that competition and now enjoys more normal conditions, owing to the creation and maintenance of many large near-by markets by many varied indus- tries. The Pacific coast has long been prosperous, with its world-famous spe- cialties ; the mountain states are glad with the fruits and promises of irriga- tion ; in the older prairie states the farmer has seen his land go from $1.25 an acre, or from a homestead gift, to $100 and $150, and the " Great Amer- ican Desert," as it was called when it was nothing but a buffalo range, is now peopled by a progressive race of farmers, whose banks are filled to overflowing with the proceeds of their products.

The elements of agricultural science are gradually finding their place in the primary and secondary schools through the instruction of teachers. We buy over $200,000,000 worth of products from tropical countries that cannot be grown in continental United States. Through scientists sent from the United States to the several island groups the department is instructing the people of our island possessions to grow these things, such as coffee, rub- ber, fibers, drug plants, nuts, fruits, spices, and the like.

Our farmers buy $100,000,000 worth of machinery every year. A better knowledge of its use and care is neces- sary. Several agricultural colleges are taking up this inquiry and giving in- struction in regard to machinery and farm buildings.

The regular forecasts of the Weather Bureau for 36 and 48 hours in advance