Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-01-28
Manager Embree on Marketing.
&C. K. Embree Of the Farmers Union. at Seed
Improvement Meeting.)

Manager EmDfee On NAAtketinS.
&c. <. Embree of the Farmers Union. at Seed
Improvement Meeting.)
The man who is located in the busy
market ceuters must at himself to the
conditions about him. While any sales
man can dispose of his stock on strong
market, it Is the expert who sells on
glutted market.
The bright, active man, the man who
Is all smiles aud meets every buyer on
his level, will succeed for while, even
though the stock is not up to the aver
age. In the long run, however, the man
who approaches every buyer without
acting part, and Ia able to deliver the
goods az sold, is the man who will re-
main on the market after the man who
smiles and acts Is forgotten.
| To illustrate We will take the Farm
ers' Union of Maine with the headquar-
ters of the state at Bangor. The man
ager directs the salesman at the market
end to sell certain products, naming
grade and quality. The salesman, hav-
ing confidence In the manager, sells as
quality of the pack, basing his state
meuts on the honesty of the loader, who
in all cases with the union is the farmer.
II the farmer faces his car, covering up
and hiding from view, unmarketable
stock, the manager and the salesman
suffer. The result is loss of confidence
all down the line. The buyer finds that
he cannot depend on the word Of the
salesman, and the whole trouble originat-
ed with the grower, who is the one to
suffer in the end. He has placed the
manager in position where they are
not sure OF what the stock will be, and
this loss Of confidence impairs their USE
fulness. They dare not stand squsrely
behind the goods they are selling, for
they have no confidence in the man who
furnishes the product. II the salesman
can approach his customers confident
that he can guarantee the honesty of the
pack, he will try and get premium
over market prices, but If he is not sure
of what the stock will be when delivered,
he will not sell above the market, and,
furthermore, he is liable to sell below
the market, 80 as to be sure the goods
will be received on arrival.
At the present time there is spirit OF
unrest all over the country. The con-
sumer believes he is being robbed and
the farmer believes that he is not getting
his share of the profits of that which he
produces. 1t is claimed by many men
having full knowledge with the exist
ing conditions, that the United States
has the most expensive method OF reach
ing the consumer of any nation In the
world, and that our system Of marketing
should undergo a radical change.
Just what this movement will finally
result in, time will tell, but the indica-
tious are that in the near future there
will be brought about system that will
bs as nearly as possible direct from the
producer to the consumer as caL be de-
vised.
The Farmers Union of Maine believes
that If any such movement is to be
brought about, it must be by easy stages.
We should start at the bottom and edu-
cate as We 60. 1t is our purpose to sell to
the man who sells to the grocery trade and
the produce dealer. In the past, New
York has bought largely from Boston,
which was along the line OF expensive
methods reaching the consumer. The
Farmers Union seeks to sell TO the New
York dealer, the one who is nearer the
consumer. As result, over half the
cars sent out are going to dealers who
never bought direct 10 Maine.
1t has always been said that central
Maine was the place to 60 if low prices
were the things to look for. This con-
dition has passed, never to return, for as
soon as the Farmers Union starts oper.
ations iu any section, the buyers, with
out waiting to learn what the associa.
ton is going to do, advance the price to
the last cent. In two cases the price
was raised so cents per barrel in one
day. Their object, of course, was ap-
parent, but the Farmers Union Is here
to stay, for we expect the farmers OF
Maine have as much intelligence as the
buyers. The Farmers Union Is not In
the state to drag down, but to elevate.
There is plenty OF room for all. The
union does not want all the stock, nor
quarter of it, and the buyer, if he will
use little common sense, he will well
come rather than try to drive-for the
Farmers Union earnestly desires to work
on friendly terms with all lines OF trade.
would like to take up the question
Of sorting, packing and grading, but my
time has about expired. The farming
industry of the State of Maine is enter
ing upon q new era. The future has
great possibilities in store for the farmer,
but the degree OF success which be
meets will depend wholly upon his own
efforts. Our colleges, schools, expert
mental farms, and this Seed Improve
ment Association have done and are do
ing grand work. Information OF all
kinds and descriptions Is at hand for the
seeker of knowledge, and our progress
i've farmers will gladly avail themselves
of the opportunity. One of the encour-
aging signs of the times Is the interest
taken in cooperative buying and selling
as partial solution of the problem OF
the high cost of living. This interest is
not confined alone to farmers, but to all
lines Of trade.
1t is well that the Farmers Union OF
Maine has the backing of the people OF
the state, for the burden that is resting
upon q few is almost beyond their
strength. They stand with hands out
stretched, asking for loyal support in q
cause that is just, and one in which
there is great possibilities not only for
the farmer, but for the state as whole.