The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-25

This is another one of the secrets of sue cess of the farmers ol the states named who are making money in diVersiflcation.
 Some of our readers may conclude that this question of diversifieation is becom- ing a hobby with me, and really 1t IS In a sense, for l know that this is the short road to prosperity for the people or the south, as well as for the people of the north and west. Let me tell you, l have been watching for the proceedings of the great national irrigation convention just closing at Fl Paso, Tex. l noticed that the Hon. A. J. Spillman of the agricul- tural department at Washington was there, and that the text of his great ad- dress before this convention was diver slhcation. This is now the pass word all along the line with all leading agricul- turists.
 Labor Question Again.
 But to return for little while to the question of labor. Now when I go out to encourage various industrial enter prises what is the first thing I hear? Cant Get Help" Now we take the dairy industry as an example. This is a matter that appeals more strongly to the farmer now than any other farm industry, and yet how hard 1t is to get people to milk cows. I go to localities to hold dairy meetings and to try to build creameries, and the first thing l hear is' Cant you get some of those fellows ur in Wiscinsin to come down here and es- tablish a creamery or a cheese factory?' Why is this SO? Why do not our people build these creameries, hire a man edu- cated in this line of work and keep the profits from the business among the peo- pie of our own country? The facts arc that our people who have money that they could invest in such an industry know how uncertain is the labor of this country and how hard 1t is to get people to take care of cows feed and milk them. Our people are not educated for this class of work.
 Travelling in Texas only last night met a wealthy farmer who owns large farm in the rich black lands of Texas. He said he was tired out and completely dlsgusted with the labor question, and that he was going to SOW all his lands to grass quit the cotton business entirely, and that he would SOW Johnson grass and alfalfa and turn his farms to stock farms-flne cattle, hogs and horses. I re- marked. You are the man we need. We are to huild a large creamery at Sher- man and you can milk your cows and send your cream to the creamery" Well" he said this is just what Texas needs, but who will milk the cows?" He went on to say: |" Twill have the cows, but can't get anybody to milk them, so will grow bees"
 Merely an Example.
 Now, let's see for a moment, how we come out in getting men with capital from the north to come down and start these industries Something over one year ago I learned of creamery com pany, manufacturers of fine butter and cheese, up in the state of Wisconsin. who had grown so wealthy that they wanted to. branch out into new territory with their business. l went to see them and they said: Yes we will build six creameries in the south and southeast if the people will only agree to milk the cows and furnish the cream or milk, for a creamery cannot run without cream l succeeded in persuading them to send a representative out with me to see what might be accomplished. We went to one of the best towns in southwest Missouri, where they were anxious for a creamery, The plan was outlined, and 600 cows sub scribed, each farmer agreeing to milk and deliver the milk from his cows to the creamery. Upon the confidence in these promises the Wscinsin people, act ing in good faith and complying with their part of the agreement went to work at once and put up a fine plant, and when they got everything ready for work they sent notices to the farmers to bring in their milk. But what was the result? But few of the farmers who had promised or subscribed cows came forward. The manager went out to look them up and see what was the matter. On meeting them he asked: Are you going to fur nish us any milk, as you agreed?" The answer was: "Well-yes-I am going tC start to milking cows and bring you the milk a little later on. I thought would wait awhile and see how you would come out" So the company had either to close doors and let the plant stand idle or else put men out on the road and work up an entirely new business. They chose the latter and have started in and are doing fairly we'll
 The Farmers Loss.
 But what have these farmers who sub scribed the cows done? The have not only broken thei- contracts and robbed themselves, but they have destroyed all confidence that the company had in them, which not only works hardship on them and the company, but has delayed. if not entirely stopped, this company from oper- ations in our territory. Instead of hav- ing the six creameres all in working order we have only the one, and that one on probation-if the people support 1t others will be built But owing to a fail ure on the part of these people others have to wait and suffer. Not only this. but 1t causes people to lose confidence in me and in my work, for I had fully ex- pected to secure all six of these branch creameries, and would if these fellows had done as they promised.
 The morning that creamery opened every farmer who subscribed cows should have been preser. and ready to deliver the goods. If such had been the case we would today have the smoke curling from at least three creameries instead of one. These people have the money and the honor and will do what they promise, but under the present outlook they want to wait until spring before doing anything more in building cream cries in country where people are too lazy to milk cows. They want to wait now. too. to see how the thing will come