Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-03-20

Of Patrons, and we can employ parties to
manufacture for u.s.
In business point Of view, il il very i'm.
portant to have the true relations Of the
oranges, the councils and this agency, we'll
defined in relation to the ordering Of farm
machinery that is to be paid for on delivery.
There seems TO us TO be but one way aud
that is to have each grange stand responsible
for all the farm machinery ordered by its
own secretary, and each council responsible
for all orders Of its agent, otherwise there
may be II large amount of implements left
upon the hands of the state agency, through
failure Of parties in some cases to receive and
to pay for what they have ordered.
We would submit the propriety of having
not only the agency of the state, but also the
different councils aud oranges Incorporated,
so that they may be legally recognized bod
les, capable Of doing business in legal man.
ner.
The business feature of this organization is
attracting great attention in our own and
other states, and every effort should be made
to place this branch Of our Order upon a
aolid footing The plan OF operation has
been fully set forth in circulars heretofore
issued, but there are three points to which
we wish to call especial attention, and which
we regard as indispensable to the success Of
our council and grange agencies.
FIRST. Facilities for exhibiting, ordering,
shipping, receiving aud distributing goods.
Second. Concentration in the line of farm
machinery upon one good Implement of
given kind. and throwing our entire trade, az
far as possible, through our own agencies.
Third Aggregating orders for supplies IN
the subordinate oranges, and ordering to-
gether through the council agent, all at the
same time, once each month
If We expect our agencies to succeed, they
must he endorsed and suitably backed up by
the membership. 1t is in vain that we es-
tablish agencies and organize councils, unless
we furnish them with the facilities of doing
business.
1t is Of but little use for our state execu-
tive committee to make arrangements with
manufacturers and wholesale dealers, unless
our membership are willing to purchase
through the channel provided
Ii is of but little use to have regular es-
tahlished agents for the sale of farm products
in our large commercial centers, unless we
make use of them. The position of a nomi.
nal agent with nothing to do, and still less
to do it with, is anything but u desirable
situation Our agents are only strong as we
make them so, by furnishing them with bus
ness to do, and with the facilities for doing IT,
1t is too much to ask of an agent to put in
his own capital, and his own time and work
for nothing only the good Of the Order or the
public. Each council should provide its own
agent with suitable warehouse OF place for
ordering, shipping, receiving and distributing
goods, and a sufficient capital with which to
defray incidental expenses And what Is
true Of the council agency, is equally true of
the state agency. We are to-day very much
IN need Of suitable warehouses. Without
some agency of our own established at the
business centcrs throughout the state, the
merchants and dealers will be very likely to
combine together, and refuse to make any
satisfactory arrangements with our Order
The state aud council agencies operate like a
balance wheel to hold all prices level and
should be maintained and furnished with
facilities for doing business.
AS to the concentration Of our entire trade
in the line Of farm machinery, we are aware
there will be some honest difference of opin-
ion among the members OF our Order; and
this is a matter that should receive careful
consideration at your hands, and matter
which should receive some consideration at
the present session OF the State Grange.
flour membership are expected to purchase
the kind Of implement adopted by the com.
mittee, every means possible should be used
to make a wise selection, and have il as sat
tisfactory as possible to ALL Peoples pref.
erences and prejudices 90 very far in this
respect and it is hardly possible to suit eve-
ry one. But if we expect to break up the
combinations now existing, and that may
hereafter exist among manufacturers, we GER
tainly must unite our entire strength and
trade. The interest Of the farmer aud the
manufacturer are identical, aad all the SEEM
ing antagonism existing to-day, arises from
the interference Of those agents, who desire
to fatten off the difference between the price
they pay the manufacturer and the price for
which they sell to the farmer. But the OBJ
tanning Of our implements at reduced rates.
is only part Of the advantages to be secur-
ed by concentration of our trade.
We shall no sooner have demonstrated our
ability to unite our trade 10 given line, than
manufacturers will at once spring up in our
midst upon such terms as will be lust TO the
manufacturer and not oppressive to US Thus
our home market for products will be inn
proved, and transportation upon our imple-
ments saved. But as long as our trade is 10
scattered among implements of so many diff
ferent kinds, we shall find it difficult to get
manufacturers of any make, to cast their lot
among us. The more our agency buys, the
greater consideration il will receive at the
hands of any manufacturer.
We would recommend our membership to
buy az lightly as possible the coming season,
believing that better terms can be had one
year hence. We trust that all parties who
order will be prompt IN paying for impe-
ments upon the receipt of same, and thus
save the agency from any embarrassment or
criticism from outside parties Our agencies,
both state and county must be thoroughly
sustained and their engagements promptly
honored, in order that our character for hon
or aud integrity may never be questioned
II may not seem improper for us in this
connection, to refer to one or two obstacles
which seem TO stand in the way Of our sue
cess as an agency. First. there is a lack of
sufficient currency in circulation with which
to enable farmers to do their business upon
cash basis. The credit system we abhor, and
yet necessity seems often to drive many of
us into its adoption. II is a shame in free
country like ours, for money to be enslaved,
and made to do the bidding of few gam.
blers and money shilocks. There ought to
be no good reason for man, with fine herd
Of cattle, granaries filled to OVERLOOKING and
valued uneucumbered real estate, to be com.
PEELED to pay and per cent per month
for the use of money, or sell his property at
a ruinous sacrifice. Yet such is often the
case and men are found with any amount OF
| valuable proDerty. and vet unable IN raise