The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-02
Cooperation.

The readers of the MIDLAND jour
NAL will find a very readable article
this week on the fourth page on the
above subject from the american
Agrlculturist. Farmers are partic
ularly well situated in their business
for much profitable cooperation and
before the power they are capable of
welding in the commercial. financial
and public business of the country
is utilized they will have to resort to
cooperation or corporation methods.
The latter course would probably be
the stronger and more concentrated
mode of action. The associations at
present forming throughout the
country under one national and
many state and county heads will
ultimately lead to grand co opera
tive business with branches similar
to the present subdivisions of the
farmers associations. There is no
question that the same economy of
labor and utilizing of products could
be accomplished in agriculture that
has taken place in other lines of
business. The healthful influence in
public affairs which the rural popu.
lation should exert will never be felt
to the extent it should be till a CO.
operation in every branch of bust.
ness the farmer is called to engage
in is practiced.
Fifty farms, more or less, deter
mined by location and topography of
the country, could be operated under
one management, to vastly greater
advantage to all the interested par
ties, in economy of machinery and
labor, and the utilizing of products,
than under the present individual
system. One half the expense in
tools-possibly more-would be
saved, the direction of the various
branches of the business under com
Ipetent managers, would constitute
an immense saving and profit over
the present mode. The marketing
of products would be done in the
most systematic manner and with
great economy over the single
handed, one horse plan which has
always been pursued. The weak
would be in a condition to share the
benefit derived by association with
the strong. The lands would be
laid out for proper rotation of cul-
tivated crops, the orchards under the
direction of skilled horticnlturist,
would be brought up to the greatest
perfection in bearing and the fruit
gathered and preserved for market
in the best condition. Cattle and
other branches of animal industry
would be placed under the care of
men skilled in the business, and
central depot provided where the
business offices aud necessary build.
lings for the accommodation of la
borers would be located. The adj
vantages are limitless almost that
appear as this improved system of
agriculture is explored.
The great drudgery Of the farm
kitchen, that slave pen of the farm.
er's wife and daughter. would be
eliminated from the farmers home
and domestic life, and reasonable
degree of leisure and recreation
vouchsafed to those unheard toilers,
while economy, resulting from the
combined power of all, would add to
the annual income. A judicious
division Of labor would tighten the
present burdens while contributing
to the profits from industry. The
power of corporate industry in its
best sense is CO operative industry.
has too many advantages ever to be
abandoned, and it remains for the
reformers to prune away its objec-
tionable and unjust features, while
ITS benefits are preserved and shared
by all. The possibilities of associa.
ton by corporation among farmers
are so great that the benefits appear
limitless when an attempt to explore
the field is made. The Alliance and
Grange are training and educating
the agricultural class for this great
step forward.