The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-09-02
Living Issues.
COOPERATIVE MARKETING OF FRUIT,
TRUCK AND FARN CROPS.

O0T0e ~ W y 344 @@@@
Meeting Of the Cotton States Association
Of CommissiOnsrs Of Agriculture, Nash
VILE, Tenn, Aug. 81, 1909
The subject now under considera-
ton, "Co-operative Marketing of
Fruit, Truck and Grain Crops" is n
of vast Importance to the ambitious
farmer, the farmer who loves the farm
and his vocation and who is endeavor-
ing to make it self-supporting, feed
ing, clothing and educating his family
with something left for the contingent
cies and demands of progress. The 9TH
er class of farmers (if they are worthy
of the name) who have eyes and see
not, and ears but hear not, take but
little interest in this and kindred
y questions. They are content to live
a day at a time and without care for
the future; but they are to be reck-
oned and considered in u delibera-
tions, for they occupy a considerable
space in the ranks of producers and
have an effect on the markets. The
purchaser does not stop to inquire
whether the bale of cotton, the bushel
of grain, or the package of truck was
made by the ambitious farmer or by
the careless person whose only desire
is to get a dollar to meet present de-
mands. He buys at the lowest price
at which he can get the article wanted.
This is a problem which may be
solved by cooperation and could ad-
~vantageously be considered by your
Association. Shall we say that all
who rush their crops on the markets
and depress prices are careless and
thriftless? No. Some of them are
forced to do so by environments and
circumstances over which they have
no control. IF by cooperation the
latter class can be helped and made in
dependent citizens, and the former
converted into men with aspirations
and a desire for the betterment of
their children, then a victory has been
woh and a long stride made toward
the return of the original prestige of
the farmer. I shall not use the word
planter, but class all as farmers who
are dependent on agriculture for a
living; therefore when I say farmer"
I do not necessarily mean a man of
small means and few acres.
Perhaps the most forcible way to
put the benefits and advantages of CO.
operation is by giving illustrations of
what is actually being accomplished
along that line. Some of these illus
trations, those from my own State,
have come under my observation and
/ can vouch for the t~ruthfulness of
them, and the others come well au-
thenticated and I have no doubt but
that they are true to the letter.
co OPERATION IN THE NEW YORK
GRAPE GROWING BELT.
As is well known, Western New
York is a very fine grape growing sec
ton, producing grapes of the finest
quality. The farmers of that section
thought they had a bonanza in grow
ing grapes for New York City and
other markets. They rushed into the
business pell-mell, and as a result of
their lack of system in almost every
thing pertaining to the business, dis
aster soon followed and many were
forced to either change their methods
or enter new fields of industry for a
livelihood. Some of the best thinkers
and most practical men came together
to study the situation and try to ar
rive at a solution of their troubles.
AS a result cooperative associations
were formed and the growing of
grapes has been a paying industry in
that section since they began the CO.
operative movement. Reforms at
home, en- route, and at destination
have been brought about so that the
members feel encouraged to make still
further efforts along the line of CO.
operation.
These cooperative associations
have been a success because of the
character of the men who have been
at the head of them, men of integrity
and business qualifications who had
but one end in view and that the bet
terment of the grape growers of their
section. Lack of time will not permit
me to enlarge On this, but it is suff.
cient to say that the cooperative
movement has been the life of the
grape growing industry in that sec.