The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-03-05
OrrespOndenCe
BENEFITS OF FARMERS ORGANIZA-
TONS.

WOTk SuOulu OOS1A "" O'O@J
the State. Diversity of climate and
croDs accounts for the difference IN
the time for active preparation and
planting. Some are only beginning
to prepare for the crop and others
will soon be planting, but all should
endeavor to make some advance over
their last years operations. The
long winter evenings have afforded
fine opportunity for reading and get
ting the experience of those who
have made a success along their
chosen lines. While we cannot adopt
all the methods that have been rec
commended, for some of them may
have been under different conditions
from those that surround US, we can
select some of them that are best
adapted to our circumstances and
study them to benefit.
The Alliance meetingG r especi-
ally adapted to the discussion of all
such questions-subjects that per
tain to our mutual interests and well
fare. It is there that we can discuss
the different phases of these ques-
tions, as different members may see
them, having the weak and the COM
mendable points alike brought out
by discussion. There is as good
reason for farmers to como together
and discuss their methods, manage
ment, and crops, in fact everything
pertaining to their business, as there
is for any other class of people. We
all know that others do this to their
advantage. Why not the farmer
profit by the experience Of other
classes?
Some of u grandfathers yer the
best farmers in their neighborhoods,
but that is no reason that we should
farm just as they farmed. The me-
chanic or professional nan who
would use the tools or books of his
grandfather, and follow in his foots
steps, would be considered behind
the times and soon be out of a job.
Progress is written across the face
of every line of industry, and agri-
culture should not be behind in this
respect.
Study the questions at home and
then meet together in the Alliance
and discuss them with your neigh
bors. In this way new ideas will be
developed that may be of great SER
vice.
For the past two weeks we have
heard of the formation Of the Car
negie-M Morgan combine, a pooling of
steel and iron interests, aggregating
more than a billion of dollars. In
this combination are included the in
terests of several of the largest iron
Industries in the country. Already,
almost before the corporation papers
been duly signed, I have been
notified Of the advance in price of
one of the articles manufactured by
one branch of this gigantic corpora
I refer to wire field fence. I
have no doubt that everything they
control will be advanced in price.
They claim that by this pooling of
interests that they will save, by cur
expenses, $50, OOO, 900 a year
the next five years. This shows
what organization mean to them.
How long will the farmers shut their
ayes and refuse to take advantage of
means that other industries use.
Organization for their betterment.
Almost any farmer that we speak to
that the farmers should or
"but-" and there some of
5hem enter into an argument telling
Why they refuse to join with their
1eighbOrs in an organization for
5heir mutual benefit.
Within the last few weeks l have
heard some of the largest and fore
most farmers in the State say that
time has come when Organiza-
ion is Indispensable for our best in
:erests. l have heard others speak
If the great work that has been done
oy the Alliance and the benefit that
t has been to the farmer. In view
If these things, as sensible people, it
'eems that we would lay aside every
weight, prejudice, that keeps us
apart, and come together as other
people do and take up the work of
new century with a determine
ion that we will not any longer be
aggards, but found in the front
'anks with those who lead in all