Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-10
FARMERS WIN BY
COOPERATION
IN EUROPE
Mutual Producing and Distribut-
ing Societies Get Credit for
Vast Increase in Crops.
BY JOHN CUNNINGHAM.
Ohio State Senator. Member Of Amer
lean Agricultural Commission,


and Secretary Of the
Production Group.
Special Gable TO The Atlanta Georgian.
PARIS. July lO-Thus far We have
passed 60 days studying the various
principles underlying the success Of
European agriculture. BY dividing
into sections and groups we have
covered every phase Of agriculture
and studied the best methods pur-
sued in every country in Europe.
without question, cooperative
credit and cooperative producing and
distributing societies have accom-
plished a great deal for European
farmers during the last 25 years The
reaching OF scientific agriculture col
leges in short course schools and on
farms during the growing season has
had much 10 do with the vast in
crease in crop production. Encour-
aEement by the various Governments
has been another important factor
Interest in Every Country.
In every country visited a strong
realization OF the importance OF ag-
riculture Ia manifested While meth
DDS differ IN various countries the
same underlying principles are found
everywhere.
Highly important principles are the
conservation and utilization of every
natural resource. the scientific appli-
cation OF manures and chemical fer
tilizers and the great systems Of CO.
operative credits, which In reality
make all the other principles oper
ative
have visited Italy, Hungary, Aus
tria. Switzerland, Germany Denmark,
Holland, Belgium and France. In
each OF these countries we found
some special lines OF work more ad
vanced than in the other countries
But when we group these special
lines and attempt TO apply them to
our own country We fnd one thing
lacking In America, namely Co-opera-
tive organizations.
The intensive methods or farming
employed in Italy are applicable to
many sections Of country The
Government policy OF helping farmers
10 own their own homes IL bringing
many Italians back from America.
Swiss Farmers in Union.
In Switzerland more than one third
of all farmers belong TO cooperative
organizations that are banded into a
central organization entitled the
Swiss Farmers Union, which can
control the Government policy
Through these organizations the
farmers sell all their products and
buy all their necessities.
Cooperative credit and distribution
societies have played an important
part In the rapid development Of Ger
many's agriculture during the past
40 years. Germany produces more
than twice as much to the acre as the
United States does and from land
that has been farmed for centuries
i is now up 10 us 10 double our pro-
duction
Denmark has made a world wide
reputation through her cooperative
exporting societies by guaranteeing
every egg and every pound OF butter
and bacon Each egg is stamped
with the date when laid and the pro-
ducer's number is recorded I'm the Ma
tional Federation's register ANY
complaint may be traced directly
back to the real producer. Here
again farmers have the controlling
voice in Government and Denmark IL
prospecting immensely
Hollands Cheese Fame,
Holland, as dairy country has at
tained fame for her fine cheeses. Her
Government exacts a high standard
or eNCellency by rigid enforcement
Of the pure food laws.
In France the work of the Ministry
Of Agriculture through cooperative
credit and production societies is
rapidly coming to the front. When
the final report OF this commission
is made the French methods of CO.
operative credit VIII receive deserved
consideration.
In America we need longtime
credit, conservation OF the soils. fer
tility and improved methods OF dis
tribution.