Lyle,
I suspect this query has stumped a lot of folks - I wanted to check some
sources before I commented, lest I lead you astray. I am an agricultural
historian who has grappled with trying to find valid and representative
data on farm wages and for the cost/value of farm equipment. The
following are some of the best sources I have found, and all are
available at the Library of Virginia (and should be available at most
university libraries.
- Historical Statistics, Volume 4: Economic Sectors (great for wage date
as well as some commodities)
- The Economic Indicators Handbook
- The Value of a Dollar (while less "scholarly," I use this compilation
all the time!)
The historical decennial census reports derived from the raw census data
might also be of help. These data sets are available on the U.S. Census
Bureau website at http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/
I'll keep looking for something that speaks more consistently to the
cost/value of Agricultural equipment. In the meantime, keep us posted
on what you find.
Good Luck,
John Metz
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lyle E. Browning
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 9:02 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Costs of Stuff
Lyn,
Thanks for your response. Do you know that you're the only person who's
responded who recognized I was asking for a compiled list? EVERY other
one pointed me to the usual sources for it. The problem is that it could
take years to get there the hard way. I wonder if there are stats and
econ lists that might have folks who have done that?
Lyle
On Jul 31, 2010, at 3:52 PM, Lyn Lanier wrote:
> Lyle,
> Sorry to hear your stumpped, my guess would be early on, bartter and
> trading were means of suppling your wants. So many farms were that
> way. But I know my father saying that as a boy, if got a nickle you
> could buy enought candy to last all week. He lived on a farm in
> George, Seldom did they really need money guess it might have worked
here the same.
> I have seen prices to food stuff, and gains but not any compiled list
> as such, But I look around and see what I can find for you...
>
> yours Lyn Lanier
> On Fri, Jul 30, 2010 at 3:04 PM, Lyle E. Browning
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>
>> I'm working on a set of sites dating from the Reconstruction Era to
>> the early electricity period (1865-1940) in tobacco country. The
>> literature on the subject refers to average incomes per year in
>> various places but never mentions the costs of basics, staples and/or
>> farm machinery. Could someone point me in the direction of compiled
>> information that has staple prices and income figures (cost of a loaf
>> of bread, pound of butter, average yearly income, etc.) for that time
>> period? Also, has anyone compiled farm equipment prices for that time
period on a yearly or decade basis?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Lyle Browning, RPA
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