Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-11-25

FIELD GRAN"D'
FIELD, SECRETARY
rho farmer before uniting with any
rranization, is apt to ask the great
question, .r I
and il it does pay, in what respects I"
IL is perfectly right that he should know
before joining any society,", the objects
of that institution, its advantages, and
its moral worth No other organiza-
ton, Save q few like the Good Temp
lars, Sons of Temperance, and possibly
one or two otkers,) will publish their
declaration of purposes as does that OF
the organization OF the Patrons OF Hus-
bandry. The farmer onlyis invited TO
Join our ranks, while most other organ
,zations accept all classes under CERTAIN
restrictions. 1t may therefore seem an
arbitrary institution similar TO certain
,rsG,.s a,ion- The idea is partially cor
rect. 1t aims to benefit the farmer ohiy'
IN a broad sense. Heretofore the isoia-
lion of The farmer has been serious
ara5uhack 10 cooperation. The mer-
ob,nts mechanics, manufactures ana ar
,,sans in General are in close communt-
cation, living in the same neighborhood,
and meetings are easily arranged
rb;leihe farmer has always been de-
MED the privilege of intereommunlca'
zion. save when meeting at the ordina-
w grocery store on the corner. The
Grange CONES to tae relief. Now let us
look at some of the advantages OF the
order 20 It's members
1t is geueraiy considered by farmers
and Others, outside of the order OF L,
H., that the Grange movement is solely
for pecuniary purposes. This in part, is
true; the same as any organization that
combines for mutual and financial bene-
fits of the members of the order TO
which they may belong, There are
however,
A GREAT MANY BENEFITS
10 be derived from the Grange outside
OF the financial policy of the institution;
such as social equality, aud intellectual
knowledge, which can be gained only
by becoming members of the order.
Movements in commercial circles are
now closely watched by the farmer, "A
corner in wheat, corn, cloverseed or any
staple farm product now made is known
to tie intelligent farmer through his
Grange paper. Last spring several thou
sand Of dollars were saved TO Oranges
through the advice of their State Agent
in Ohio IN regard TO cloverseed. In
Elmira last June there was competl-
ton in nails, aud nails were sold tor
TWO and thee dollars per keg. Inc
Granger was promptly notified, and
consequently took the advantage, stock
;ng up with a years supply. Farmers
know now when and where to sell.
We shall treat further on this subject
soon. We aim 10 make the farmer I'M
ders,and his true position in relation 20
the business world. The time has been
when the farmer was governed by the
advice aud interposltion OF
MIDDLEMEN.
Noone ever dreamed of sending his
money direct to the manufacturer for
rlow: nor TO New York for a chest OF
iaa. or 10 the South for his sugar; nor
even 10 wholesale house, close by
home. for an article in the original pack
age; but we all thought il our duty to
support aud sustain the middleman; he
selling us goods at the Dutchinan' one
per cent, and buying our products at
less than wholesale rates. But we have
been awakened from our letharglc state,
and behold in the coming decade great
things for the farmer
wish to present to your minds few
practical views on the financial system
of cooperation with manufacturers d.
rect. Lets US take common article,
THE SEWING MACHINE.
According TO sworn statements,
brouch, forth in the great Howe VS.. Sin
ger machine monopolies' suit, it was
nroyed that an ordinary $50 machine
cost the manufacturer Sl4. Add S.
ROYALTY, and we have $40, the first cost.
An eirhtv dollar machine cost about
ss5 ffS;!,ss1iitssii,- royalty. Now let us see
where the $50 goes, and who pays It,
The manufacturer, in order to properly
buiN no biz trade, and advertise his
machine in first class style, appoints an
AGENT in each State. This agent takes
the eighty dollar machine at about $40.
The manufacturer must have at least
that,profit in order to insure him against
all losses aud to build up him big
trade, aud to put on as much style as
the "otaer company" The State agents
give heavy bonds, and live in fine style.
IN order, to do this they must have a
profit of SIS on each machine, making
the SIS machine cost SIS to the ordi-
nary sewing machine agent which we
have in every town. The State agent
appoints county agents, and makes
them the very liberal offer of 80 per
cent off, or about $50 for the s25 or
the eighty dollar machine. The retail
AGENT starts out among the farmers
with his eighty dollar machine, and his
expenses are SO heavy that he never
oeis rich even at so per cent off. Now
the farmer pays the manufacturer $l5
nroft the State agent sl6 profit, and
the ordinary sewing machine agent $24
nro6t: and here you lave it in nut
shell-s55 profits on s25 first cost.
Now we
DON'T PROPOSE TO QUARREL
with tho manufacturer. as he is our best