The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-12-07
MUNDANE mEANDER1NGs.
CLEYElANp. NOV. a8th. 1sa2

CLEVELAND. Nov. 28th. 1892. |
EDITORS DEMOCRATIC PRESS:
Never In the history of the city of Cleveland |
was the prospect more fattering for gigantic |
growth than now. That Cleveland will ere |
long be a city of half a million people is not |
only certain. but the day will soon be heres So |
remarkable has been its growth-over one hun
dred thousand in the ten years preceding the |
last federal census-that some of the brightest |
representatives of Cincinnati. the Queen City |
of the Ohio. and city of giant business inter-
ests. have frankly admitted that the prospect
was fair for Cleveland to pass Cincinnati in
growth and become at an early day the first
city in Ohio In population and Importance.
nv
The conceded fact of the present and pros
pective growth of Cleveland is one of the ut
mostimportance to all the farmers of Portage
County. 1t insures most valuable and grow
ing market for many agricultural and horticul-
tural products, of which the Portage County
farmers have never as yet fully availed them
selves, Numerous productions which have re-
ceived no very marked attention would richly
repay the Portage County farmer an6 horticul
tnrist. if more skillful and organized economy
prevailed in reaching the city consumers.
Many promising young Portage County men
locate in the city. and it ought to be easy for
the producers to find a way to economically
reach the city consumers.
M
Organized effort, intelligent. we'll directed
thought and experiment are needed, to improve
and render easy. safe and convenient the inter-
change of commodities between the producer
and the consumer. without dropping the lions
share of profit in the hands of the middle man.
New and ingenious methods ought TO be sought
for in the line Of careful. organized effort to put
the farmers product in select and good eondi-
tion directly in the hands of the best class of
city consumers. No single subject could be of
more value for consideration by the Alliance or
any other Horticultural or Farmers Clubs. At
present most farmers are ignorant of the best
methods to supply the city.
%s%
Organized effort and experiment ought to be
able to somewhat reduce the ordinary expenses
of reaching the city markets. Study, expert
ment and discussion along organized lines ought
to show the producers how TO send forward
more in variety. much more in amount, at less
average cost and at a much greater net profit,
especially if effort is made to establish way of
sending good, select articles directly to the
consumers who are willing to pay good high
cash prices for good select articles, Possibly
great advantages in shipping might be acquired
by organized effort. Also. gradual but sure
revolution ought to be wrought in all wagon
roads. This last must, can and will como be-
fore farmers reach their best estate.
80
Too often the various Farmers Clubs. Horti-
cultural societies, &C.. have been looked upon
by many as sort of joke, or idle recreation.
This is great mistake, Every township should
have good Club of some sort. Every intelIi-
gent farmer should be a member OF some such
organization County organization should
be at the head of ALL Too much faith should
not be placed in paid professional lecturers.
fairs, &c. while they are well enough in their
way. But the sharp. keen Judgment of the
brightest farmers should be brought to bear to
increase the variety and quality of productions
and to find new and improved ways of safely
reaching the consumers at much greater profit
than by present methods.
Along the line Of the suggestions herein made
lies gold mine for the farmers of Portage
County. over which they are now sleeping
1t is a day of organized effort in all material
things. So far in nearly all American organ
lied effort the farmer is '' the forgotten man.
The farmer cannot battle with the giants un-
less he adopts the giants armor- organized
effort 90 not suggest the organization ol
trusts. But let the farmer perseveringly con
tinue to organize. think. experiment ard work
for his full share in the benefit of the great
city markets, and he will ere long add riches
TO his Golfers. The farmer sometimes sleepeth
but when he is wide awake and organized be
can take care of himself amid ali the clans
Tis well. for the farmer is the salt of the earth
morally. in this country. MEANDERER.