Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-02-13
zA FARMERS exchange
Monmouth County Farmers study
Market Conditions.


farmers of one section Of this State seems
to us must be of like value to the farmers OF
our county, hence we give below the pro-
ceedings Of meeting Of farmers at Freehold
held last Tuesday as published in the Free
hold Transcript:
That the reorganization Of theM0nmouth
County Farmers Exchange, to be patterned
after similar and most successful organi-
cation in Virginia, meets with the hearty
approval Of the farmers in this section was
evidenced by the large number of farmers
who attended meeting held at the court
honse for this purpose Tuesday afternoon.
Their approval was evidenced in more
substantial manner when a majority of
those present subscribed to shares of stock
sufficient TO ensure the success OF the organ
! ization. That the farmers who identify
themselves with this organization will reap
greater benefits and larger returns for their
labor seems almost certain.
The object of the organization is to buy,
sell and consign farm products, as agent for
the grower The sale of stock is TO be con-
fined to farmers or farm land owners, all
subscriptions to be subjected 80 the appro-
val of the board of directors, said board to
be elected by the stock holders Shares OF
stock are to be of the par value of $5 each
and no subscriber shall be allowed to hold
more than 20 shares.
Mr.. William A. Burton, manager Of the
Eastern Shore Produce Exchange since its
lined the workings of the Exchange and
told of the benefits to be derived from or
ganization. He was introduced by Gideon
Mcdowell, president OF the. present Mon
mouth County Farmers Exchange, who
called the meeting to order The Eastern
Shore Produce Exchange is located on the
eastern shore OF Virginia Mr. Burton said
that before the Exchange was organized in
Virginia, farmers were sometimes forced to
market their produce at less than cost OF
production and be had seen potatoes
left in the ground 80 ros, the prices at times
were SO low, Since the organization of the
Exchange real estate values in his section
have advanced 100 per cent, homes have
been improved and an era Of good times is
evident on every hand. Improved grading
and packing and the ability to serve numer-
ous markets, through the Exchange, he said,
were the factors responsible for the greatly
improved condition of the farmers in his
section and he could safely bespeak success
for similar organization here if she farmers
enter into the project and select their Off
cials with care.
Some of the objects Of such an organiza
tion, the speaker said, was to encourage the
buying and selling Of farm produce, o. b.
loading points. The Improvements of grad
ing and packing produce and where possible
to establish grades of produce. To furnish
general information to members as TO mark
ct conditions and to secure for the farmer
the best price for his produce.
Commission men and local buyers or
brokers, Mr. Burton said ARE the two classes
with whom the farmer has TO deal. For
either he had no word OF censure. The COM
mission merchant in the CITY has 10 know
ledge of the action of the farmers and does
not know whether the market will be glut-
ted or not and the local commission man
naturally fills all orders regardless of what
effect shipment will haYe upon the mark
ct. The farmer must bear in mind shat sue
cess does not depend upon his action Of one
day. He must stop and consider what effect
certain acts will have upon his future well
fare.
Here is the strong point in favor Of or
ganizaton. Market conditions are carefully
studied and this information is disseminated
so the subscribers. This kind Of informa-
tion he considered so valuable that be new
er considered expense in obtaining it and
the telephone bills for the Exchange for
which he was manager amounted TO $1,000
or $l2, 900 and even more year.
An Exchange has the advantage of hay-
ing a greater number Of markets and it is
found that it often times pays so ship to
distant points to AVOID congestion and over
stocking the markets An experience
which the Virginia Exchange had had at
the beginning was related. Prices Of posa-
toes took big drop in the eastern markets
The Exchange thereupon shipped all their
potatoes to the far western markets aud two
days later they secured So rs and So per
barrel in New York, Providence and Bos-
ton. As manager he said be considered il
his duty TO see that 30 market was over
supplied From close observation he iearn-
ed about how many potatoes or other pro-
dnce each market could handle and then