Tensas gazette., 1911-08-11
SOLVING a GREAT PROBLEM
Farmer Does not Receive All the 5ene-
1T Of High Prices Paid for
Agricultural Products.


recent high-living cost, the farmer is
spoken of as being largely responsible
for it, and as making money at the
inconvenience and cost of the con-
sumner. This is not at all fact. While
II is true that few agricultural
products have been excessively hign
in value-as beef, pork, eggs (for six
months Of the year,, butter and fruit
the farmer has not received too
much for these when his large labor
cost and other higher costs OF con-
Quoting his business are understood,
writes George T. Powell in the Coun-
try Gentleman.
1t is after food products leave the
farm that the cost is put upon the
consumer. The distribution OF prod
ucts is too expensive. The farmer
receives from 21z to 3ik cents a quart
for milk. The consumer pays to 10
cents a quart The farmer receives
so cents a bushel for potatoes, the
consumer pays s1.25 bushel for them.
He receives $3.50 barrel for his
apples, while the consumer pays at
the rate Of 50 barrel 1t costs the
consumer on an average OF go per
cent. over what the farmer receives,
and this is what the middle-man gets
for receiving and distributing farm
products. The most effective remedy
for this uneconomic condition. most
unsatisfactory to both the producer
and the consumer. Hes in cooperation
on the part of both. First, there needs
to be closer cooperation between the
farmers and railroads The interest
of the farmer and the public carrier
is mutual: one is dependent upon the
other, and equally. A farming terri
tory without railroad to move its
products, however rich the soil may
be, would have very little value. and
likewise a railroad without good
farming territory to supply traffic
would not be worth building.
The future solution Of greater agri
cultural prosperity, with lessened cost
to those living in cities. win be in a
union of interests between farmers
and railroad corporations whereby Q
system Of more. economical distribu
tion of farm products may be estab
lished. Storage facilities should be
established along shipping points or
railroads close to the farms, where
perishable products could be taken
care of quickly and before depreciation
would begin. Distributing depots
should be established in every city in
different parts where the products may
be sent to the consumer direct, and
where consumers may easily come and
get their supplies. Consumers may
help themselves by organizing co
operative buying associations. where
their needed supplies may be obtained
at less cost. The idea of the individ
ual farmer trying to supply the in
dividual city consumer with dali,
hamper Is impracticable, as those who
have tried It here have met with deat
failures. 1t requires a big organiza
ton to handle big business. and thu
railroad which has the organization
in hand as a carrier need only to ex
tend its work to reach the consumes
with other products It carries.
On this plan farmers will have t.
get together in cooperation. The,
win have to put up their products II
more uniform manner; they vii
have to do more and better grading
and packing; they will have to put NJ
many smaller packages 1t win b
as practicable to distribute Quickl.
carloads of potatoes, apples. peaches
butter or hay as of milk. The products
must be put In the right shape for thu
system, when the railroads could dis
tribute as quickly as commission men
The fruit growers of California fo'
years have been working upon thi
plan, and they are making more none,
on their oranges, that are selling 70
less than apples, than the apple grow
ers of the east who are following slip
shod methods in everything they dc
; The orange growers cooperate ant
have to live up to the most rigi'
rules. They will ship the present sea
son over $4,000 carloads Of oranges
and so well is the fruit graded AM
I packed that a carload of 500 pack
, ages will be sold In less than tel
| minutes when 1t is put up for sal
| at public auction in our eastern mai
kets. II every farmer in New Yorl
state could spend but an hour on tn
Erie pier In New York City and Sc
: the rapidity and ease with which er
i tire trainloads Of California fruit ar
i sold every day, 1t would be reveli
i ton to him. Samples from the car
are arranged on this pier. which bu,
, ers may examine, and when they g
to the auction room these are solt
, frequently not more than two second
being required for the selling of
mark. Uniform grading and pack;n
: are absolutely necessary in this sy'
tenn of rapid selling, and this Is POI
sible only through established stans
! ards, to which everyone must com
. in his work, and this requires c.
operative work.
aLx-.~:-~ o,ror H1roo