Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-09-10

mers protective association. has at.
tracted the attention of progressive far
mers from all over the Peninsula and
elected numerous inquiries concerning
the intents and purposes of such an or
gsnization: and the benefits. il any. that
the farmer and shipper might expect 20
derive thereirom.
realize that in all probabilities some
Of my neishbors are better informed and
more capable of discussing this question
than am. but. with your permission,
Will eadcavor tn give the little iniorma-
ton that am able for the possible en-
hghtenment Of those OF the farming COM
maHitv wnO were not present at the pre-
hminary NEE ing r~cvutly held at the
courthouse when the occasion for, aud
the benefits TO be derived from such an
organization. were briefly discussed.
In The 6-st place. why do not our tar.
mers nsed protection?
The above question. IL seems 20 me. Is
easy Of solution 10 any thinking farmer
" 10 i at all familiar with the adverse
growing aud shipping Of tarm products
10 outside markets. Let SONG intelligent
farmer answer this:
When yuu rsisS more corn. potatoes.
meat or vegetables than will comiorta-
bly, supply The small local demand. can
you ship The surplus 10 outside markets
with any certainty that YOU will receive
the regular market price tor the same.
and that you viii come out Of the trans
action with the amount OF profit. TO
which you feel justly entitled, after
paving the cost OF transportation. cum
missions, etc; believe that the most
Of those who have had experience
would ans wer IN the negative.
Now, II this be true, then What encour.
agsmeut is there for the farmer to ,oil
aud sweat meath the ardent RAYS Of a
sumner sun that he may produce a big
crop OF some kind; realizing. at the same
time. that he cannot dispose Of the sur.
plus at a reasonable profit
Il might DC well. IN this connection. 70
relate two OF three instances Of gross in
Jusuce 20 the farmer that have come 20
my personal knowledge. They nav
serve 10 more Clearly illustrate the press
ing necessity Of cooperation among the
farmers for mutual protection agains,
the dishonest practices Of some who
have received their consignmentso OF farrl
produ>e.
one gentleman informed me that be
wired TO a Boston commission house for
market quotations on potatoes. 81. rs
per barrel, was the reply. The day fol.
lowing, this gentleman shipped 90 bar
rels OF extra hne potatoes 70 the Boston
people. The transportation charge.
amounted 20 IS cents per barrel. and
the dray axe G. uld not 80 been much
bat Nhcu returns cau-c g. < shiyper real
lied less than 80 cents psr barrel Ahei
making a liberal allow ancv for conrnis
sions and other "a peuses. the shipper ar
rived al The conclusion mat he had beer
cheated 20 the extent Of about 81. Del
barrel,-or $50. or the " hole shipment
Another farmer shipped some dressed
pork 10 a city market at a time wher
PORK was quoted at and cents pc
pound. The cost Of shipping Was mere
" nominal. but when the shipper 60
his returns be fouad THAT the pork haC
netted him about . cents per pound.
The inference l. obvious. : IL not,
A. the farmers meeting above reierre,
70, gentleman from Toauo stated tina
he happened. earlier in the season, 70 d
IN an eastern city market when g. II
load Of Virginia melons was Le!vered
be said &c commission 1soa = 30 re
ceived the consignment selected a larg
wagon load Of the choicest melons an,
; sold them OF a prominent residenc
street a 50 cents each. The reinainiu,
melons were sold at from $40 Is cent
each, and returns on the whole lot ~er
based on the prices obtained for the IN
ferior melons When asked whether d
considered such proceeding honorable
the dealer replied. 1t Is business
The above statements are facts, and
as We have said, VIII serve To- illustrat
the adverse conditions which coalron
any Individual farmer who aspires TO be
come shipper.
II j. al evident fast that our farm
are already producing much more tha
sufficient 10 meet the req uiiements Of IN
local market. aud. ifsD. must not ID
farmer rely upon disposing - his surplu
products in outside markets. auc at
living profit, l. u not time Tor he far