The Wasp — 1891 — page 262: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts agricultural overproduction during what appears to be the late 19th century. The scene shows farmers literally overwhelmed by bounty—cornucopias spilling produce, overloaded wagons, and surplus goods everywhere. The caption reads: "My barns verily burst with plenty and my cup runs over... market for my surplus." The satire targets the farmer's paradox: despite producing abundant crops, farmers cannot profit because market glut drives prices down. The visual irony—surrounded by plenty yet economically desperate—critiques agricultural economics of the era. The inland scene with steamboat and train suggest industrialization's impact on rural markets, making small-scale farming increasingly untenable despite good harvests. The artist is signed Saalburg.