Introduction. 7 



those piircliased by our farmers would much increase 

 the profits of agriculture. 



Of all occupations, that of the farmer's is poorest paid. 

 (For reasons why, see chapters VI and VII.) The 

 United States census of 1900 indicates that, subtracting 

 from gross income there given, business expenses and 

 interest upon capital of four per cent., the net income 

 received from the labor of the average farmer and his 

 family is only about $400. The Labor Bureaus of Sta- 

 tistics in Massachusetts and at Washington indicate that 

 the wages of the average workman and his family 

 engaged in manufacture are near twice this sum, or 

 about $800 per annum. 



Since 1900 there is evidence going to show that farm- 

 ers at the "West are obtaining better prices for their prod- 

 ucts. But little, if any, improvement has taken place in 

 the condition of the Eastern farmer. It is even very 

 doubtful if he is as well off as before, since there has been 

 a general rise in cost of business and family supplies. 



This book is a part of a much larger work, to which 

 the author has devoted many years of research and 

 thought. It is believed to be the only publication in 

 existence that gives a comprehensive view of the bearing 

 of the tariff upon agricultural interests. The author is 

 a life-long farmer — for many years a good Eepublican — 

 made an independent by a study of the tariff question. 

 In doing this work he has been actuated by as purely 

 patriotic motives as when he shouldered a rifle in the 

 dark days of 1862. 



He is well aware that many persons consider the tariff 

 question as settled, but ' ' nothing is ever settled that is 

 not settled right. ' ' To believe that the present system of 

 wrong and gross oppression will always continue is to 



