365] The Condition of the Western Farmer. 87 



behind them, but they are among the men who have helped to 

 build up a new country, and who, it would seem, should have 

 as much share in the prosperity of the new territory they 

 have helped to open, as those who cast their lot with the 

 towns and cities. 



The farmer who has once become fairly well equipped, 

 and who is not burdened with a heavy debt, has, it is true, 

 certain advantages which make his lot in some ways quite 

 desirable. If not in debt, he feels sure of a comfortable living 

 even in poor years, and a small deficit is easily tided over. 

 Moreover, he is in a position to make advantageous use from 

 time to time of a small line of credit for temporary purposes ; 

 and, being able to get money at very low rates, may some- 

 times be able to make very profitable investments. 



As compared with the pioneer farmer of twenty years ago, 

 the farmer of to-day requires a much larger capital, and in 

 consequence the cost of production of the grain that he raises 

 is higher. Not only is it found necessary to give the land 

 slightly more cultivating, but also there must be figured into 

 the cost the interest on the investment in the land, which was 

 very small in the early days, but is of considerable importance 

 now. Then the standard of living, by which each family 

 gauges its expenditure, is much nigher than formerly, and 

 the enforced economies of the pioneer period cannot be prac- 

 ticed, and indeed ought not to be demanded or expected. 

 The markets are no better to-day than before. In short, if 

 the farmer of to-day expects to achieve the same success as 

 the pioneer achieved, he must, except where good fortune 

 and the possession of unusual personal qualities are com- 

 bined, have capital in sufficient amount to offset the free land 

 and the low cost of living of the pioneer period. 



