The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-12
ROWAN COUNT
FAR MERS MEET
holI Fine Convention at Wood
leaf and Hear DR.. Alex
ander's Address.
URGES MANY NEW PLANS
Wants Farmers to Save Money
by Buying Direct From
the Manufacturers.

Spencer y. C. Angus, 1.-The
midsummer meeting of the Rowan
County Farmers Union. which con-
vened at Woodleaf Saturday. came to
close yesterday with masniaceut
address to the farmers BY DR.. II. Q.
Alexander, of Charlotte, president OF
the state Farmers Union. He was
heard with much interest by several
hundred Sturdy farmers, who have
oeen and are making good in the pro-
tesston. Or. Alexander discussed eco
nomic marketing Of products, and al
Vocated the use OF a big grain eleva-
Tor by the farmers and storage ware
houses for the housing OF produce I'M
I'll prices are favorable. Economic
distribution was another thing dis
cussed in an interesting manner by Dr.
Alexander. He urged that county ware
houses arc not the only need. but
large central warehouses should be ,
established at various centres through
out the state. These should be used,
by the farmers as storage plants. Still.
| another matter which was ably dls-
cussed was the proper distribution OF
manufactured products. Dr. Alexandei.
deplored the credit system maintained
py merchants. and hope for the day
when this Will be discarded. This.
the speaker regarded. as q great hind
rance to the progress of the country.
The present methods for obtaining any
article on the farm. he argued. are too
circu!tuous. from the manufacturers
to the jobber; from the jobber to the
wholesale dealer, from the wholesale
dealer to the retailer through a drum
iner. anu from the retailer TO the con-
suner, by which time prices have
grown to be enormous. The farmers
of the state. he said, ahould have one
agency for distribution. The farmer
should also seek and work out more
economic method for buying the ordin-
AIRY necessities. The state president
does not advocate the farmers going
into the general mercantile business.
but he does Insist that there should be
community OF interests in buying.
schools for Farmers.
The educational interests OF the
farmers rs regards the farmer boys
and girls was handled in a masterful
fact that while we have good schools
they are Inadequate In making good
farmers, anu in that they fail to teach
the things that make good farmcl.
The schools were declared to be too
c'tiiied to be adaptable TO the needs OF
the farmer boy. The schools should
Sive instruction in soil development,
pant me hH4NlAi llLtf ana proper SAM
tation and many other fundamentals
not found in the ordinary high school
curriculum. and should be made 10
conserve the interests of the 80 per
cent OF the country boys and girls
who never see college The appeal
OF DR.. Alexander was perhaps his
strongest effort OF the occasion, and
az an evidence that his words met
with the approval of his hearers was
shown by the hearty applause.
Al the business session os the conven-
ton T. d Brown. who has been the cf-
hclent president OF the Rowan Farm
crs' Union for two years resigned on
account OF having been nominated to
the state Senate in the coming cam
paign His resignation WAS accept
ed with regret. and NJ. G.. NJ. Fisher one
of T,owans best and most successful
farmers. was chosen president He is
in thorough accord with the union
idea and Will lead the organization to
still greater success. J. :. McCor-
klc was elected secretary and treas
urer. The next session OF the union
Will be held In Salisbury.
Among the visitors was w. n Pet
he'll OF Spencer. who made a short talk
to tho farmers on the big Labor Day
Iteration. which is to be held in
Spencer. September ..
TIL. Woodleaf Farmers Local Union
entertained the visitors in great style.
serving big dinner IN the grove. $.
H. Wctmore is president and H. c.
Chilean is business agent OF the local.