THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 339 



have come into this State," says the correspondent 

 of the New York Tribune, writing from Iowa, " and 

 mingled with the farmers here, I have found that it is 

 a common occurrence, that thousands of farmers who 

 are still struggling to keep their heads above water, 

 and are obliged to economize in every conceivable 

 way and deny themselves and families many com- 

 forts, first began to run behind when they purchased 

 a reaper or mower, or some other piece of farm 

 machinery which they could not pay for and which 

 they could have done without." 



The sad history of Farmer Green (a veritable 

 character, although we introduce him here by a fic- 

 titious name) should be a lesson and a warning to. all 

 his brethren. 



Farmer Green was a resident of Iowa, and was 

 reputed to be a sensible and prosperous man. He was 

 far on in life, and had cleared his farm of debt,, had 

 stocked it with many things needful to his business, 

 and was generally counted a prosperous man. His. snug 

 farm was his pride and boast, and he looked forward to 

 the time when he should be able to add to it by the 

 purchase of a desirable section of land adjoining it. 



It was the early summer, and Farmer Green was 

 rejoicing in the magnificent crop of wheat that was 

 springing up on his land, and giving the promise of a 

 handsome return for his care and labor. Day after day 

 he watched the superb growth, and counted over in his 

 mind the number of bushels of golden grain it would 

 yield when the summer sun had warmed it into matur- 

 ity. Many were the plans he laid for the use of the 

 proceeds of that glorious crop. The goodwife's wants 

 should be all supplied this year, and none of the chil- 



