The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-01-05
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF FARM
ING.

Gan mel Individual farmer a
his prosperity by cooperating with his
neighbor? There are many success
full instances in which this is being
done. But before the general farmer
can begin to cooperate, he has a few
things to learn. All farmers cannot
cooperate. They are not "built that
way" The man who cannot CO.
operate has no place here, the world
doesn't want him. But the farmer
who has mingled with his t~ownspeople
enough to learn that there are others
in the world who know at least as
he does, has a sufficient foundation for
his business salvation. There are as
good men in your town as you-pos-
sibly better, brighter, keener and bet
ter educated men, and withal, fully as
honest. Therefore put away mistrust
and replace it with confidence learn
the value of integrity of character, so
that those who are engaged in business
with you may have confidence in re-
turn; and bear in mind that none but
honest goods should receive honest
prices. We must learn that brain
| power is stronger than Drawn, and has
taken the lead of it. Having learned
| these fundamental facts, cultivate
energy, activity, and learn to value
time. These are the successful points
in successful cooperation.
Two neighbors having learned these
points can easily cooperate. The old
fashioned system Of "changing work"
can be carried to other things. Ex-
pensive farm machinery a be owned
in common; stock for breeding pur-
poses on neighboring farms need not
be duplicated, thereby securing a far
better animal and at less expense.
Extend the system the dairy and we
have the cooperate creamery, reliev-
ing the farmer and his family of all
the drudgery of butter-making, and
bringing him cash for the product and
more of it. 1t does not require the
aid of figures to prove the advantages
of cooperation here. Garry the sys-
tenn into other branches, and money
will accrue in the same way. Neigh
boring farmers can unite in marketing
their special crops. The apple crop,
which is 10Y about one-third wasted,
should be sold through an apple ex-
change, as is the cotton of the South
and the peach crop of Delaware, or
held in cold storage at convenient
points on the railroads. Men do not
realize proper profits from their farms
because they act as individuals in their
sales and not as organizations, as do
those of other callings.
But look at the purchase side of the
question. Everything brought to the
farm is bought at retail prices,-fer-
t~ilizers, grain, implements, dry goods
and groceries all require it, whereas,
if these articles could be bought in
wholesale lots, by a number farmers
cooperating in the purchase, the
saving would be large. If the trade
can be insured, the large merchants
have expressed a willingness to sell to
individual members of cooperative
associations at wholesale rates. The
individual farmer could never accom-
plish this, but by cooperation can
thus save many dollar. Cooperation
may also open up new outlets for farm
products. The cranberry grower could
not afford to work up a European
market, but the American cranberry
growers association can we'll afford to
send a delegate there to develop an
immense business.
But the strong point in favor of CO.
operation is that it enables the farmer
to maintain his business in it's integ-
rity. To be sure, the business cannot
be wrested from his hands, but it can
be so crowded down by custom, by
unjust legislation, by the avarice and
greed Of those who have no sympathy
with it, and by the unjust extortions
of those who live by handling it's pro-
auctions, as to render it improbable,
and unremunerative agriculture is a
national disaster. The future great
ness of America will come from her
farmers and her farm homes. De-
press them, curtail the income, reduce
the farmer in the social scale, and the
country's greatness will be reduced in
a corresponding ratio. On the other
hand enhance the farmers condition,
and it will show in the greatness,
goodness and power Of the nation. Is
there need of investigating this feature
at this time? l answer, yes. The
business of farming ought to be the