The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-12-08
Reorganization OF
the Department OF
Agriculture Planned

TO proper marketing Is
given special emphasis. The adoption
and universal application of one uni
form standard for cotton would result
in great simpli1cation of all transact
ton, 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 ru-
raj credit and of marketing. Concert
ed action is essential. In cooperative
effort, equity and. justice must be
kept in mind. Cooperation does not
mean that an organization shall at
tempt to establish a closed market
and to fix prices. This should be con-
demned as strongly in one field of in
dustry as in 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 Unit
ed States. Farmers do not equally
NNS" DSNSEl IASNAI Ii Si1lS1llS Gill
all sections are not similarly circum-
stanced. The report cites the varia-
lions Of the interest paid by farmers
Ion long and short time loans as
among states and as among different
sections of the same area. Among the
many factors entering into these
| variations are climatic conditions, sta
btlity Of industry, methods Of farming,
distance from markets, distance from
centers of large wealth, the nature of
financial agencies through which cap
ital is secured.
When all necessary allowance has
been made for these fundamental fac
tors, it is probably clear that the ru-
raj communities are not as efficiently
served as they should be by existing
financial arrangements. Longtime
loans are needed for permanent in
Vestments, such as the purchase price
of a farm or for the erection of build
lngs. 1t is wise economy to encourage
the extension of credit for safe pro-
ductive use,: and no less wise to dis
courage the use of capital along non
productive or speculative lines. Ths
rapid increase in farm values and the
difficulties in securing land has giver
impetus to the growth Of the rentins
system. 1t is this tendency that sug.
! gests the importance of devising farm
loans on terms such as will enable thu
producers to make the necessary pay.
ments on the interest and principal, sc
far as possible. from the returns of tn,
land itself. -.
The report also discusses short,
time loans, building and land associa,
tons, land debentures, land mortgag,
banks and various other domesti,
and foreign methods Of rural invest
ment and credit mechanisms. Their,
does not appear to be need for uniuu,
or special legislation or for Legislation
which shall aim to give the farme
credit on easier terms than othe
members of society. What is needle,
is the creation of conditions and ma
chinery which shall enable him OF
similar credit foundations to secur
money at the same rates as thos
that prevail for other classes and TO
other sections.
Other Rural Organization Problems
Even though the problem of hoy
the farmer, can best sell his produc,
and a improve the conditions unde
which he can secure the necessar,
? capital were solved, there would stil
remain vital things to be accomplishe,
before rural life can be made fully eff
f1clent, profitable, healthful, pleasur
able, and attractive, and before
larger disposition to remain on TIL
farm develops. Good roads are per
requisite for better marketing, 70
J better schools, and for more comfort
, able rural living. Better sanitatio,
and hygiene in the home, in the schoo
: n in the community are just as vita
$ for the rural community as for tn
} urban.
To Study Diseased Carrying Insects.
The effect of the malaria-carryin
J mosquito on agricultural productio:
! has been made the subject OF inyesti
cation on southern plantations. All
! t%ention will be given to other dis
! notwithstanding insects such as tn
house fly, stable f1y. and spotted feve
!. tick which have a bearing on tn
, health Of rural poulations. Satisfac
! tory progress has been made in
study to discover means whereby tn
breeding Of flies In manur NAV b
prevented without l~essening its fertil
! izing value.
Soil Surveys.
The value OF the soil survey wor
9 will be enhanced by giving precedence
9 In surveys to those states which offe
d active cooperation. Nineteen state
during the past year have entered int
this plan. Reconnaissance survey
will be confined to classification Of NE