The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-01
A FARMERS DEFENSE.

LJIt(OF -
I see in your last issue (Feb. 2Srd),
under the head of "Supplies from CAL
ifornia," a notice of the different kinds
of vegetables that are in this market
from California, and your remarks rel
alive thereto. You say ''this is q bad
commentary upon the industry and
enterprise of the Oregon farmers and
that s'the reputation of u State and
its suffer thousands of dollars
more because of our negligence in this
matter. It is to be hoped that our far
,mers and producers will view this mat
ter in its proper light, and no longer
permit the existence of such a dam
aging state of affairs" Thus you are
unintentionally striking at the Oregon
farmer without being aware of the true
state of things. I will admit with you
that it is n bad commentary on some
body. but think that the farmer is not
the only one to blame in this matter
Mr.. Editor, please turn to be a farmer
awhile and you will be better prepared
to judge of this humiliating affair and
who are to blame for it. claim to be
n farmer on a small scale, and have
tried some little to supply the Albany
market myself, and found it to be a
damaging business 1 assure you; for
when / have driven a load of produce
some eight or ten miles through the
mud or bad roads to help supply the
market, drive up to 4 door and enquire,
Can sell you some vegetables to-
day?" the answer would be, "No; /
raise my own vegetables enquire at
another door, the answer would be,
"No; 1 have just bought a full supply
more than l can possibly use before
they will spoil.n Call at another and
the answer would perhaps be, "Well,
/ don't know; what do you ask for
them ?" Tell them my price, the an
swer would be, Cant give So much;
have just bought some at so and so
livery low and ear get all I want at
that price" Go to another and receive
a similar answer, which would remind
one of the conclusion the old Indian
came to relative to the price OF beaver
that they had held a meeting and
fixed the price. Thus, after spending
a half day with wagon and team to
reach the market, then two or three
hours more in trying to sell, would
finally have TO sell at rates that would
not = q f1- If- To- - -sra-
to market, let alone the time and labor
in raising the produce, or haul il back
home again, or throw it away as some
have done. I have taken fine large
cabbages to that market and could not
get more than 80 cents per dozen, or IS
cents at the most, selling at 1 to 6 cents
per head, and other things in proper
ton. Do you think that farmers will
necessarily submit to such a state of
things just to keep but California pro-
auctions? think / know you to well
not 10 believe but that you have more
consideration for the well-being of the
were made without due consideration.
I believe in "free trade and sailors
rights" and If citizens had rather en-
courage California productions than
those of Oregon, they have that right
of course; and so Oregon farmers must
turn their attention to something that
will pay them better than gardening.
The farmers will try and raise enough
for their own supply. 1 think when
you reflect upon this matter you will
have more consideration for the farmer
and will place the blame, if any, where
it of right belongs. My remarks are
submitted in all kindness, and believe
me to be your true friend, now and
ever. JOHN L. CROOKS.