The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-04-30

are the advantages of a syndicatef'
addressed to the secretary, Mr.. Jean
Raulin, he said:
They are of two kinds ~ They
contribute to the defense of the
rights and to the material interests
of the farmers; (2) they support and
make known the political rights of
the farmers and secure respect for
them.
Among the material interests, he
mentioned the buying of fertilizers
and implements at wholesale prices,
the securing of cheap transportation,
the sale of prodcts in the best mar
kets and at a time to get the best
prices.
Among the political advantages, it
was mentioned that the power of
association permitted the farmers to
exert an influence upon legislation,
favorable or unfavorable, as it might
affect their interests.
These syndicates have succeeded
in protecting French farmers by
securing a high protective tariff on
foreign farm products; they have
also induced the government to
create agricultural warrants and
neighborhood banks of loan and de-
posit.
The northumberland system,
which permits the farmer to draw
ON the nearest bank for his crop, has
thus far proved impracticable.
By combining in syndicates, the
science of agriculture is placed more
completely within reach of the poor
est farmer, and practical, everyday
experience is brought into G. opera
ton Herewith. Farmers and stu
dents derive mutual instruction.
Scientific ideas of farming are
orought to the attention of farmers
by lectures delivered by the pro-
fessors of agriculture and by articles
published in the organs of the syn.
dictates and in aim ,na3s. The syn
dictate also est blishes boards of ar
Bit :ation for the deciding of ques-
tions in litigation, at comparatively
no expense or loss of time.
The syndicates are neutral, abso
lutely shut out from all influence of
political parties. No instance is yet
known where an agricultural syndi-
cate has been made use of by a po-
litiCal party or by a candidate for
office. The farmers are emphatfcally
of the opinion that the usefulness of
their organizations would be greatly
impaired, if not entirelT destroyed,
if politicians were permitted to use
them. There has not been, since the
organization of these s~yndicates, d
political movement among the farm
ers in France
The syndicates have united the
great landowners and the farm
hands of the country, which has
been productive of good feeling and
common interest The one class has
thus become better acquainted with
the other. The first has learned to
place more confidence in the second,
and become identified with its inter
ests, and has not hesitated to adj
vance funds when needed. In the
Department Of the BeaujOlais, SINE
landowners have settled an income
of 100 francs ($l9.3W per year upon
their old farm hands. Some of the
wealthiest mobiles in France ure mem
bers of ~syndicates.
A community of interests has been
created, in which the business expe-
rience and ability of landowners have
been enlisted to establish an insur-
ance fund for farm animals and en-
ployees, buildings, crops, etc. From
this starting roint were organized
tho CO operative societies tor the
a of crops, fruits, vegetables,
poultry, dairy products, etc. This
cooperation has stopped the cutting
of pri es, and ruinous competition
has ceased. A representative of the
syndicate sells for all it's members.
Under tile operation of this prin-
ciple of mutually" said Mr.. Raulin
t0 me, Eve have noted the progress
of agriculture, thanks to intelligent
and profound studies of agricultural
interests by the proprietors and to
the practical application thereof to
the Interests of their tenants and
employees. All are bound together
h7 u common interest from which