GRAIN FARMING IN AMERICA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XV, Issue 832, 5 April 1882, Page 6

GRAIN FARMING IN AMERICA.

An American writer, J. J. Williamson, of Chicago, deals with farming of that country in the last issue of the Victorian Heview, in a manner which ought to interest colonials. Organisation and combination of capital, and consequent absorption of large tracks of land, are the strong points of the system, he says. But however cheaply wheat, Ac, can be placed on the market by this means, the combined capitalists alone derive the profit — some 100 per cent. — at the. expense of the labor, so the benefit derivable is of a very questionable kind. A few figures will go far to prove that if this system is very much extended in the United States, tbe working men, putting aside the small land owner and tenants, will ultimately suffer. On Messrs Thomson and Kendall's farm, near Windoin, Minnesota, the hands are paid at an average of 1750 c. (£3 10s) each per month, witb board, which latter coat 4.50 c, (18s) per month. This would be at the munificent wage of about 18s per week per man, witb 5s a week for his food — and he works 13 hours a day. On the Grandin Farm, fronting the Red River, having an area o£ 40,000 acres, an average of 100 men were employed for a twelvemonth, although in computing this average it is seen that from November to April only 10 men were employed. "Wages ranged from 15dol (£3) a month to as much as 2dols (8s) a day. It is hoped this incipient monopoly in America will soon meet some kind of check.

The Victorian revenue returns for the quarter ended 31st March amount to £1,540,000, being an increase of £114,000 compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. The revenue from Customs increased during the same period by £96,781; that from excise duties by £21,142; and from public works by £15,247. The revenue for the nine months ended March 31st shows an increase of £435,500.