But besides the indirect profit there is the direct speculation of making advances at high interest, discounting bills, and similar business.

It might almost be said that the crops are really the property of the local banks, so large in the aggregate are the advances made upon them.

The bank has, in fact, to study the seasons, the weather, the probable market prices, the import of grain and cattle, and to keep an eye upon the agriculture of the world.

The harvest and the prices concern it quite as much as the actual farmer who tills the soil.

In good seasons, with a crop above the average, the business of the bank expands in corresponding ratio.