91 
The want of attention to forestry in the prairie region is lamented by 
several correspondents. ' } 
Brown, Minn.—Another drawback against a rapid development of our county is 
the scarcity of timber. Thinking men are of the opinion that Congress should pass a 
law that no homesteader should get a patent of his land before he has given satisfac- 
tory evidence that he has planted five or ten acres in timber. 
LABOR DIFFICULTIES. 
Six years ago an investigation of the rate of wages of farm-laborers 
was made by the statistician of this Department, and three years later 
another, which showed a slight decline by no means comparing with the 
decrease of prices of farm products. It was shown in December, 1866, 
that the average value of farm labor, white and black, skilled and un- 
skilled, was about $26 per month, without board ; when board was fur- 
nished in addition, $15.50, leaving $10.50 as the average for board. 
The average wages per annum for white laborers, including all grades 
of service, was at the same time $336, while the estimate average for 
English farm-laborers was $182, including the value of all extras and 
allowances. Thirty-three years ago the pay of farm-laborers was esti- 
mated by Mr. H. C. Carey at $9 per month for board. 
In December, 1869, the average rate of wages for all farm-laborers, 
as estimated by the returns, was $25.13; with board, $15.88, The 
allowance for board was less than in the former investigation, being 
$9.25 instead of $10.50. Prices had declined, and wages without board 
were a little lower, while the rate with board was actually higher. The 
following is a comparison of averages of the different sections at the 
two periods: ; ' 
December, | December, 
1866. | 1869. 
LEDS" HREM) BETS Uae a Oe ame ie. ie ae $33 30 | $32 03 
VRE RE OR Senn Nies oe ee Rees eV ae: bo ce ojemiciems CHE ea 30 07 | 29 15 
USTED TTT SES 1727 eS A ce ny ere eee MRR 28.91 | 27 OL 
Southern States ........--. Sn hes chee RS HD Ph Se ho 22 Fh 16 00 | 16 8k 
Pes FUT PIT GS RR eR ah Re ea I le eR a AOE Ady gd. | 46 38 
In a review of this subject in the report of January, 1870, it was said: 
In many branches of farm-cultivation the cost of labor seems disproportionate to the 
cash value of its product, and the remuneration of the employed better than that of 
the employer. 
At the present time labor continues high. It is high because scarce, 
from withdrawal to fill the requirements of manufacturing and mining 
industry, the demands of traffic and speculation. Because thus drained 
of skilland energy, its standard of efficiency is lowered. The responses 
to the March circular are full of labor complaints from all sections. 
Scarcity is general, though perhaps more frequently and strongly urged 
in the Eastern and Middle States. In the South scarcity comes not 
alone from paucity of numbers in proportion to work to be done, but 
from indisposition to doit. There is a strong feeling among farmers 
against legislation limiting the hours of a day’s labor as impracticable 
and injurious to employer and employed. In the more populous States 
a native farm-laborer is a rarity. As in Washington, New York, 
“ there is scarcely a native or skilled laborer to be had; all looking 
