Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-10
Correspondence.
For the VERMONT FARMER.
STATE AGENT FOR THE YER
MONT ORANGES.

KIND 70 desire TO trade, aud farmers are not
exceptions to the rule. If they have no
other opportunity for buying or selling, they
are many times 30 anxious to crafty their
trading propensity, they will even swap hors-
es, knowing that one of them must be the
loser. Now that trading propensity makes
the mercantile business look to them as
something very much to he coveted, and
unless the oranges are on their guard they
may be led into difficulties unawares.
Now you have presented the case very
fairly in your previous remarks in the YER
MONT FARMER, and they will bear repeat.
log 4" the oranges are not the middlemen's
enemies, but their friends, ifthey but see the
matter 10 its true light. " Instead of going
upon the principle of making as much out of
the farmers, these times, as they can, lest
they do not get another chance, let them but
act upon the principle of living and letting
othors live, and thus securing to themselves
the farmers friendship and trade, and in the
euu make money Oy IL.
Now having had some experience in SELL
ing goods as an old liner" aud in union
store, also in buying produce of the farmer,
feel as though | could look at this state
agency business unbiasedly. In your last is
sue you give the reports Of the Kansas and
Minnesota state agents. Now the plan they
have adopted may be the best, but do not
believe it; it looks too much like mercan
tile business, and attended with great ex-
pense You are aware that the cases are
rare where farmer gives up his occupation
as farmer where he has met with good sue
cess, to engage in mercantile pursuits, that
he succeeds in his new occupation. The
same holds true in regard to the oranges GO
ing into the mercantile business. My rea-
sons for objecting to the plans spoken Of
are: There is too much of it, too expen-
sive, too slow, and attended with too much
trouble to the farmer. Now | do not be-
lieye the farmers wish to organize themselves
| eOSebuoI ao u uduu VI OIOtuels lOI tue saAe
Of feeling few persons by creating offices for
them to fill at great salaries, if they can get
along without. | would as lief be bled by
middleman as an agent for the farmers
Now the state agent, as look at it, should
not handle one dollar Of the farmers funds,
save what may be paid him for his services
on the order of the executive committee, and
that for the time actually spent in the busi-
ness connected with his agency. He should
be man not only capable but he should
have that interest in the farmers movement
that he would not be governed altogether by
the loaves and fishes he hopes to secure for
himself. Let him be paid by the day for
the time actually spent, but not such price
as will call all the government thieves from
their pestiferous dens to scramble for the
polls. l believe an effective agency can be
established at an expense to the state grange
not exceeding five hundred dollars per an.
n um, if exceeding three hundred dollars, all
|
tionary. How could it be done for that?
Well, in the first place the agent not be,
ing required to run warehouse establish
ment would have only his agency proper to
look after, and most of it can be done by
correspondence, either with agents of other
states or manufacturers and their agents
Let it he known that the one hundred grau-
ges Of Vermont are desiring a certain article
OF merchandise or implements, and have au
agent TO see to the purchase. The agent
will find drummers in plenty in pursuit OF
him.
But to not take up too much time in ex
PLANTATION, will illustrate 80 as to cover the
whole ground. For instance, the grangers
want moving machines. The agent gets the
best terms he can from all makers of the
best machines, and at once notifies all the
oranges by circular. Now people differ il
their likes aud dislikes, and also in theiI
surroundings. A machine that would please
in our valley might not on the reugher farms
near the mountains. Now the oranges hav-
ing the prices of each different machine, car
select such machines as they prefer and or
der through their secretary under seal of th'
grange, depositing with the secretary thu
money at the same tipe, that he may pay
for the article ordered as soon as the bill i
received. Thus much time is saved to thu
buyer and much red tape avoided. If al
the oranges wanted the same article at thu
same time, then perhaps the state agent coulC
do the business cheaper than the plan, rec
ommended.
The same rule holds good in selling pro
duce. Let each grange send its produce Il
the best market for them OF course if th
parties recommended by the state agent can
not do as we'll by you as some other homes
party, tell the agent so, that he may be OIL
his lookout for some other chance. Tn
state agent should seek to bring the consum
ers and producers us near together as posi-
bio, and thus save commissions. hav'
made this article too long already, and will
close by wishing success to the Vernon
Graugers and the VERMONT FARMER.
Bridport, w., Mar. 23. T. BAILEY.
-e-S-$-