The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-02-11
BEST RETURNS FOR PRODUCE
To Denmark Belongs Credit for First
Steps in Establishing System OF
Farm Cooperation.

In these days the problem which pre-
sents itself to all producers is that OF
securing markets for whatever Iney
have to sell In all Industrial countries
there are vast aggregations OF people
who cannot be reached by producers
without some intermediary. There mas
thus grown up a great army OF mid
dlemen Traders who have organized
the supplies to meet the ends OF the
consuming population, writes Edward
Brown In the Country Gentleman
Without them the situation would nave
been very serious. For instance, IN
England we drGW eggs from every
part of Europe, even as far as RUSSIA
and Turkey, from North Africa, and re-
Gently poultry have been sent TO US
from China, while from time to time
supplies cross the Atlantic, and also
from Australia.
AS is usually the case, however, the
middlemen have become to large en-
tent dominant factor, and the result
has been that both producers and con-
sumers are dependent on them-the
one to find an outlet for the produce
and the other to supply the daily needs.
So long as the trade is organized on
proper lines, and nothing more than
legitimate profits are taken by these
/ servants of the public, no complaint
can be made. Difficulties, however,
have arisen because the work OF con-
veying from the producer to the con-
sumer became too complicated, and as
a result expense increased, while there
were great delays. In America, So
far as I know 1t, this Is specially the
case by reason Of the long distances
which your supplies have to be
brought. From Kansas to New York
Is as far from the center Of Russia to
4 London.
I So long as production was on mod.
est scale, and, in the case Of eggs espe-
cially, a mere side issue, the matter
was not so serious; but as soon as pro-
duction became part Of the life work Of
the people concerned, they must neces-
sarily inquire how they could secure
the best returns, and the question OF
marketing became essentially one for
n D.
number Of cases isolation and depend.
ence on traders for finding a market
has meant that producers have not re-
Izceived an adequate return. This is seen
4 in every country, and it will continue
until those to whom 1t Is a matter OF
bread and butter realize that on their
!, shoulders rests the solution of the prob
; lem. We owe to the little country OF
Denmark the first steps In what Is
. proving to be, at any rate in some
4 parts of Western Europe, q great eff
fort for placing this side Of farming
! on a proper basis.
! After the war with Prussia in 1864.
{ Denmark was faced with a serious
! state of affairs. She is small coun-
try, with no great manufactures, and
S her interest was purely agricultural
\ II development were to take place
q 1t must be in the production Of food
and as she had not the population tc
: consume great quantities she mus,
: look out for markets to which her sup
2 plies could be rapidly and easily sent
il and which would yield prices thai
/ would pay for her labor. That Den
+ mark has succeeded In this Is mani
Q fest to all who know anything as K
her condition, and 1t Is an interesting
: fact that, pro rata to the population
!. she is now the second wealthiest coun
j, try In Europe, simply owing to thu
+ development Of her dairying, pig keep
$ ing and egg production. It was real
.. lied that In order to accomplish tn
4 purpose In view 1t was necessary tina
ID the produce should be placed on tn
+ markets In. Great Britain not only o
u the finest quality and packed In tn
II best manner, but also as rapidly q
< possible. Denmark, therefore, con
menced that remarkable form Of CO
10 operation which has been the larges
70 single factor in the creation of he
il wealth.
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