74 AMERICAN FARMS. 



The Iron Age, of New York, a well-informed authority, 

 in its issue of August 4, 1887, gave some information of 

 the doings of one huge enterprise. It said : " An estab- 

 lishment which can show gross earnings amounting to 

 over $14,000,000 in twelve months as the result of manu- 

 facturing operations exclusively, is certainly entitled to 

 be called great. This is the showing made to the stock- 

 holders of the North Chicago Rolling- Mill Company at 

 their annual meeting, which was held in Chicago on the 

 25th ult." 



We are aware that figures are given to show that the 

 money made in great enterprises does not, as a rule, stay 

 by the families of those who engage in them ; but the 

 fact remains that every year a larger proportion of the 

 national income finds its way to this class than ever be- 

 fore ; while it finds a larger proportion of the farmers 

 facing financial ruin than ever before. 



Manufactures may not always pay large dividends, 

 especially when forced into existence where not required, 

 or in localities not suited to their development, or when 

 they have been outdone by new rivals with superior ad- 

 vantages. The question for the farmer's consideration 

 is : Are not these losses, of whatever nature they may be, 

 frequently thrown on the farmer ; and are not these 

 manufacturers, whether they succeed or fail, given a 

 chance to enjoy large incomes and the luxuries of life 

 for at least a time, while the farmer must be satisfied 

 with a narrow income and the satisfaction of only the 

 rnost ordinary wants ? Situated in one of the principal 

 towns of New England is a large manufactory, producing 

 an article used almost wholly by the farmers, which pays 

 only a trifling interest to the shareholders. Yet by 

 having a controlling interest, one family has been en- 



