The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-02-25
Cooperation Among Farmers.

Cooperation, as it is practiced in manu-
featuring establishments, is hardly appli-
cable to ordinary farming, for in this, cap
ital is so largely diSproportionate to labor,
and has necessarily to take SO large pro-
portion of the risks that after it is prop
erly compensated, the laborers would rarely
receive more than their present wages.
But there is form of cooperation appli-
cable to a community of farmers that is
we'll worth their consideration. The CO.
operation of the Shaker societies is inva-
riably successful, but it involves COMMIT
nifty of living that is not suited to ordinary
society. What is to be recommended how
ever, is consolidation of the interests of
the farmers of a township or of a neigh
borhood. Now they are all working at
cross purposes and in sharp competition
with each other. They are generally little
disposed to help each other in the matter
of sales, and by the interchange of infor-
nation as to markets, etc. The conse-
quence is that they become the prey of
middle-men and merchants who usually
take the lions share of the profit on every
thing that is raised.
One year with another, certain amount
of money goes into township, in exchange
for its farm-prOduce, which has paid a large
tribute to intermediate dealers. The
amount that the farmers receive is so much
less than the consumers pay as to leave too
large a profit for the just compensation of
the dealer. Then, again, there are certain
things sold at high price i'll consequence
of the Dealers reputation for always hav-
ing the best article. The extra price
rebounds entirely to his credit, for he does
not pay more to the farmer-he simply buys
at the market price from those farmers who
have the best goods. Then, again, in the
case of ordinary farmers, the advantage of
raising thoroughbred stock is rarely avail
able, for the reason that no one farmer of
small means can afford to establish herd
of high-priced animals, and to expend the
money necessary to bring them to the
notice of the public, even if he knew how
it should be done.
Farming would be much more profitable
than it is if there were some system by
which the full amount paid by consumers
and by the purchasers of thorough bred
Stock less the necessary cost of selling,
went into the farmers pockets. 4 first
class grocer in New York who understands
the markets will keep himself supplied
with hams, butter, and eggs of the very
best quality, without paying materially
more for his stock than other merchants
do, while his reputation, based on his
always having the best, will enable him to
charge considerably higher price than
merchants of an inferior reputation, deal
ing in the same class of goods, and buying
more carelesSly.
There are some branches of industry
which are very profitable, but which require
too much organization and too much capt.
tai to be undertaken by single farmers of
limited capital, and the profits from these
industries flow into the Golfers of dealers
and manufacturers who have the facilities
for their proper prosecution.
We propose, in another article, to sug-
gest system by which the farmers of
any neighborhood may join forces, econ
omize their production, establish a repu-
tation for their products in the market,
and place themselves in direct communica-
ton with the final purchasers or may, at
least, get the advantage in prices that
known reputation for superiority is sure
to bring. The evidence that this is posi-
BILE is to be found in the success of the
cheese-factory system, which is SO widely
adopted in this country, and which has so
materially advanced the reputation and
price of American cheese, not only at home,
but in Europe as well. The same system
is not equally applicable to all branches of
farm industry, but there are few of those
branches in which its beneficial effects would
not be felt to greater or less extent; and
as we believe it to be our duty, as it is our
pleasure, to do all in our power to enable
farmers to receive the largest possible pro-
portion of the market value of their pro-
ducts, we shall, from time to time, suggest
the means by which they can advance their
interests in this regard.-HearM and Home.