329] The Condition of the Western Farmer. 



51 



newer counties is less than in the older ones, as is also the 

 amount of cultivating which it is found necessary to give the 

 land. Analogy with this conclusion would suggest that the 

 cost of raising corn in Harrison was less in earlier days than ; 

 now, and therefore, though the freight rates were much higher j 

 then than at present, yet the price which the farmer had tol 

 realize for his corn in order to make a profit from it was less_ 

 than now. 



As to freight rates on grain, Table VI. will show all the 

 changes since 1880-83 in the rates between Grand Island and 

 Omaha, and between Grand Island and Chicago. A com- 

 parison made between the figures in the table itself will show 

 how large the local rates have been as compared with 

 through rates. 1 A comparison 2 of the rates here given with 

 the Chicago prices of grain as seen in Table V. will show 

 how much of the value of the product is absorbed in finding 

 a market for it. If further deduction is made from the 

 Chicago price for the commissions of two middlemen, we 

 will begin to appreciate the position and feelings of the 

 farmer who said that when he bought his farm he thought 



VI. FREIGHT RATES (IN CTS. PER CWT.). 

 Grand Island to Omaha (150 miles). Grand Island to Chicago (650 miles). 



1 It must, however, be remembered that the through rates are not 

 strictly to be found by adding the local Nebraska rates to the 

 Omaha-Chicago rates, there being usually some deduction for 

 through traffic. 



2 In making comparisons with the preceding table, figure wheat 

 at 60 Ibs. per bushel, oats at 32 Ibs., and corn (shelled) at 56 Ibs. 



