HO FARMERS' SUPPLIES CHEAPENED BY PROTECTION. 



such facilities as we then had. As a general rule, the prices of agricultural imple- 

 ments are nearly the same as before the war, but the goods now sold are worth 

 100 per cent. more. They are of better quality, more convenient, will last longer, 

 are better adapted to the wants of the farm, and are in every respect cheaper than 

 the goods sold before the war ; but a mere comparison of our price catalogues 

 for those years with those of the past four years would be unfair, for they indi- 

 cate no change in quality. We have been buying stock at a continual decline 

 in price for several years past, but the improvements which have been made 

 each year more than offset this decline. We are continually putting more work 

 and better work upon our implements." 



On going out we met one of the partners of the concern. He confirmed the 

 above statement of facts, and added: " I make the knock-down argument that 

 we will take such farm produce as we consume at the prices which prevailed 

 before the war, and sell goods at ante-war prices. Any farmer who wants im- 

 plements for his own use can come here any day and get them on these terms." 

 When the improved quality of the implements is considered, this offer, by a re- 

 sponsible party, is effectually conclusive as to the relative value of farm produce 

 and agricultural implements. 



The following list of prices has been compiled, for 1875, fr m 

 the prices current of the day, and for 1857 from the books of old 

 mercantile firms, the quotations in each case being at retail in the 



West: 



1857. 1875. 



Calicoes, prints, per yard 12% .08 



Delaines, per yard 25 .13 



Alpacas, common, per yard 75 .35 



Alpacas, finer quality, peryard $1.00 .40 



Alpacas, finest quality, per yard 1.25 .45 



Woolen cloth (shoddy in 1857), good now, per yard I - OQ ^ 



Woolen cloth, better quality (shoddy in 1857), good now, per yard, 1.25 .75 



Woolen cloth, best quality, per yara. 1.50 $1.20 



Shawls, each 12.00 8.00 



Cotton print cloth, per yard 08 .04^ 



Raw Cotton, per pound 13 .15 



Spool silk, 100 yards, per dozen 1.25 1.25 



Skein silk, per ounce 7.50 7.00 



Knit undershirts, each i- 2 5 - 5 



Knit drawers, each ...... 1.25 -50 



Here, as nearly as practicable, the comparison is between the 

 same classes and grades of goods, showing clearly that prices are 

 less under Protection, than they were under partial Free Trade. 

 Nearly all kinds of flannels will make a similar showing. Furni- 

 ture is cheaper in 1875 tnan ^ was i l8 57 f r l^e goods, or a 

 much better article can be had for the same money. Let farmers 

 appeal to their own memory for confirmation of what we say. 



We give another table, comprising a list of all the woolen fab- 

 rics dealt in by a great commission house a list which will show 

 that, even with labor paid higher wages, with taxes much higher, 



