The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-12-18

cOnSumering centerS, cold and other
methods of storage, marketing sys-
tens and prices, and costs of whole
sale and retail distribution of farm
products. Other studies in this
branch include: investigation OF
transportation problems and the
elimination Of waste in shipment,
study of city marketing and distri-
button, study of grades, and finally
cooperative production and market
ing. The necessity for standardizing
agricultural products as a prerequis-
lite to proper marketing is given spec
ial emphasis. The adoption and uni
versal application of one uniform
standard for cotton would result in
great simplification of all transac-
tons, and do away with the complex
methods of figuring buyers limits.
Practically the same results would
follow and the same evils would be
removed if standard grades for corn
were universally adopted.
The individual farmer acting alone
is helpless before the problems of
rural credit and Of marketing. Con-
certed action is essential. In COOP
eratives effort, equity and justice
must be kept in mind. Cooperation
does not mean that an organization
shall attempt to establish a closed
market and to fix prices This should
be condemned as strongly in one field
of industry as any other.
1t is recommended that provision
be made for the establishment of
grading standards for various farm
products and for the PRONUNCIATION
of the standards already established
by the department for cotton and
corn grades.
RURAL CREDITS.
Conditions vary widely in the
United States. Farmers do not
equally need better credit arrange
ments and all sections are not SINH
larly circumstanced. The report cites
the variation of the interest paid by
farmers on long and short time loans
as among states and as among diff
ferent sections of the same area.
Among the many factors entering
into these variations are climatic
conditions, soil conditions, stability
of industry, methods of farming, dis
lance from markets, distance from
centers of large wealth, the nature
of financial agencies through which
capital is secured
When all necessary allowance has
been made for these fundamental
factors, it is probably clear that the
rural communities are not as ettlcl-
emily served as they should be by eX-
listing financial arrangements. Long
time loans are needed for permanent
investments, such as the purchase
price of a farm or for the erection OF
buildings 1t is wise economy to en-
courage the extension of credit for
safe productive use, and no less wise
to discourage the use OF capital along
nonproductive and speculative lines.
The rapid increase in farm values
and the difficulties in securing land
has given impetus to the growth of
the renting system. 1t is this tend
ency that suggests the Importance of
devising farm loans on terms such as
will enable the producer to make the
necessary payments on the interest
and principal, so far as possible
from the returns of the land itself.
The report also discusses short
time loans, building and loan associ-
atoms. land debentures, land mort
gage banks and various other dOmeS-
tic and foreign methods Of rural in
vestment and credit mechanisms.
There does not appear to be need
for unique or special credit on easier
terms than other members of society.
What is needed is the creation of
conditions and machinery which |
shall enable him on similar credit |
foundations to secure money at the |
tame rates as those that prevail for |
~ III 18th
OTHER RURAL ORGANIZATION |
PROBLEMS
Even though the problem of how
the farmer can best sell his produce
and can improve the conditions under
which he can secure the necessary
capital were solved, there would still
remain vital things to be accom-
plished before rural life can be made
fully efficient, profitable, healthful,
pleasurable and attractive, and be-
fore large disposition to remain on
the farm develops Good roads are
for better marketing.
Portable rural living. Better santa
ton and hygiene in the rural COM
as for the urban.
TO STUDY DISEASE-CARRYIN
INSECTS WHICH AFFECT
AGRICULTURE.
The effect of the misunderstanding
mosquito on agricultural production
has been made the subject of inves-
on southern plantations. At
tention Will be given to other disease
insects such as the
house fly, stable fly, and spotted fe-
YER tick, which have bearing on the
health of rural populations. Salts
factory progress has been made in
the study to discover means where
by the breeding of flies in manure
may be prevented without lessening
it's fertilizing value.
SOIL SURVEYS.
The value of the soil survey work
will be enhanced by giving preced-
ence in surveys to those states which
offer active cooperation. Nineteen
states during the past year have en-
tered into this plan. Reconnaissance