Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-04-24
THESE THINGS WILL HELP THE
FARMER

In analyzing the needs of the Amer
lean farmer it would seem that Il
thorough search has been made for the
defects in the present system, AS
practically all the experts agree,
these two defects are as regards farm
er's loans and the successful market
ing of crops. In regard to the need OF
vital reform in this particular, the A
lanta Journal comments:
The national conference on market
ing and farm credits, which was held
last week at Chicago, revealed re-
raarkably keen and widespread inter
est in these two vital problems of the
cCuntrys economic life. The meeting
was attended by such educators as
President Judson, of the University cI
Chicago, and C. W. Thompson, director
Of the bureau of economic research in
the University of Minnesota; by indus
trial leaders like B. F. Yoakum, chair
man of the board of directors of the
Frisco lines and Louis w. Hill, cha r
man of the board of directors of the
Great Northern railroad; by represeh-
tatives from Congress and the federal
department of agriculture and by pro,
gressive farmers and business men
from divers parts of the country. The
fact that a body of men, representing
so wide variety of interests, assem-
| bled for the one purpose of discussln8
agricultural credits and means for
distributing farm products more eco
nomically is within itself significant
and cheering.
There was a unanimity of opinion
as to the need of establishing a more
elastic system of rural credits and of
better means for bringing the producer
and the consumer into easy and econ
omic contact 1t is commonly sad
that American farmers should apply
business methods to their important
field of interests that they should look
more carefully to the marketing Of
their crops and to farm management in
general. But before this can be done
there must be changes in existing econ-
omic and agricultural conditions.
A farmer may realize keenly TIE
need of thoroughgoing methods in fiji.
ancing his affairs; but if there is no
chance to secure loans on convenient
terms he cannot carry his progressive
IDEAS into effect. Likewise he may re
alize the Importance of system and
foresight in marketing his products;
hut unless there is some established
plan whereby he can keep informed on
market conditions, he is almost help
less to aid himself.
The machinery for such enterprises
rust be provided largely through the
United States government, with the CO.
operation, of course, of the various
state governments Steps to this I'M
portant end have already been taken
A Rural Credits Commission, repre-
senting the federal government and the
Southern Commercial Congress VIII
sail this month for Europe to investi-
gate the farm credit systems CT the
Old World Senator Hoke Smiths bill
creating a division of markets in tn
department of Agriculture is anothc'
stride in the right direction. The Com
mission will acquire information on
which an American plan to solve many
of the farmers financial problems can
be modelled; and the market bill will
go far toward establishing shorter AMI
cheaper connections between the farm
er who has food products to sell and
the city consumer who wants to buy.
Japanese Landowners in California.
brooklyn Standard Union)
1t is estimated that the Japanese il.
California own $4,000 acres of fruit