The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-01-21

never been buster since my connection
with the Office than during the two
weeks since we have been at this place.
1 regard that, however, as due to the
time of year, and to the fact that some
of our excellent contracts are interest
ing the brethren, rather than to the re-
moval.
Q. Are your mail and freight facil-
tiles here good enough to answer all
purposes2
A. These are not so good as in Raj
eigh, OF course, but as yet we realize no
Inconvenience. We are only one and
a half miles from the %postofice and
send in for our mail twice daily. As
to freight facilities, you understand we
do not ship out anything from our
office, bat always from the manufac,
turer, or broker, so freight facilities do
not effect us as yet. I think the rail
road is disposed to be very kind to us.
It's agent has called to see US and
offered to put in side-track whenever
we should want it. We are located,
you know, on the greatest trunk line
in the South.
Q. What seems to be the c%oncensus
of opinion among your sub agents
throughout the State regarding the
change from Raleigh3
A. So far as I know they are gener-
ally pleased. Some write US encour-
agingly; soma enthusiastically. None
complain. The only adverse criticism
1 hesr comes mainly either from non
Alliancemen or their friends.
Q. What are the prospects for bust
ness this year2
a. Gooi, 1 think. The scarcity of
money, the depressed condition of the
country, the coming campaign will all
effect Alliance business very much, as
it does other business, but we look for
a good trade. We are better organ
lied than we have been for several
years, and there seems to exist a de.
termination to patronize the Agency
.. Will you put men'on the road2
A. We have two men on the road
now representing the Agency. Our
work is done largely through CORES
pondence. We do not keep men on
the road the year round.
Q. You are aware that a report is
being circulated that the Durham Fer
%tilizer Go. has joined a trust7
a. I think that term trust" is very
much abused. The Durham Company
is now a branch of the Virginia Caro-
lima Chemical Co. 1t may be a trust
for all I know, but cannot be of very
extended proportions. OF the hundred
or more companies doing business in
the South, only eight las 1 understand
are associated in this one. There has
existed a fertilizer trust called The
Southern Fertilizer Manufacturers As,
sociation," and almost every company
in the South was in it, but their inter
ests and opinions cOnhicted so that last
fall it went to pieces. 1 think the ad
verse rumors emenate from other man
ufacturers and their agents who want
to sell goods themselves 1t is a sales,
mans trick to sell gu8nO.
q Has this effected or will it effect
your fertilizer trade this year2
a. l do not think it will effect us.ad,
versely. Oar brethren may (some OF
them) buy other fertilizers on account
of the rumor, but I think they will not
do 80 to any appreciable extent. We
are establishing agencies for our ferti-
lizers every day.
Q. Now, Mr.. 1vey, will you give me
your candid opinion as to the future of
the Alliance in North CarOlina2
a. I see no reason why the Alliance
should not have a bright future. Our
late adventures are in the right direc-
ton. We must be a manufacturing
people, and keep, or help to keep, the
little money we get for our products
at home. Hundreds of thousands of
dollars go out of the State annually for
shoes, hats, clothing, furniture, har-
ness, wagons, ploWs, buggies and the
like. 1 think our brethren begin to
realize the enormity of this drain and
that they will endeavor to stop it. I
think there is less tendency now to
drag the Alliance into partisan politics
than a few years ago. That cours was
detrimental. Let us give our attention,
as 1 think we will, more to business
and 1 think we will prosper.
Not desiring to consume any more of
Mr.. Ivey's time, 1 thanked him for his
kindness aud again sought Secretary
Barnes Office.