The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-14

a minimum is one OF the remedies for
high meat prices. but OF even more i'm
portancc is the matter of improved
marketing and distribution.
An Farmers See II.
Farmers problems are not understood
by city men, and hence there is much
inisdirected effort and wasted energy
in the movement to stimulate asricul-
turc, according TO Peter Radford, Of
Fort Worth, Tex. national lecturer
of the Farmers Union Of America He
writes:
The intense interest that is being
taken in agricultural development and
the expression of true friendship indi-
Gated by organized and individual ef-
forts Of many good citizens. is one of
the most encouraging signs OF the
times but the waste Of effort through
impracticable methods and the lack of
coordination and cc-operat ton is the
greatest tragedy of the age. The cf-
ticiency of every dollar now invested in
promoting agriculture can be increased
hundredfold by clearer understand
ing of the farmer and his needs on the
part of those who appropriate and di-
rect the expenditure.
Profit Is the greatest incentive to
production and compulsory education
that the world has ever known. The
farmer is human. He works for money
and he will intensity and diversity
whenever II pays him to do so, and no
amount of weil-written formulas or
monstrous exhibits will permanently
influence him quite SO much as dol
lar at the end OF the row.
Not n theoretical dollar. but one he
can put i'll his pocket. A dollar that
comes from the result of n sale. The
weakness OF many plans that have
been commissioned and thrust upon the
farmer is that the factor of profit has
ne di,1v foy
is also misunderstood.
Farmers Are Learning.
Those who have no personal know
ledge OF agriculture appear TO judge
the farmer by the isolated cases of in
competency. consider him incapable OF
comprehending his own problems and,
unconscious OF his possibilities regard
nm as public ward to be assisted
but not consulted.
THE biggest room in the world is
for Improvement, and there is much
that the farmers of the United states
can learn. but let us not be deceived,
the farmer is n capable workman. /
welcome all efforts to help the farmer,
but if the merchant thinks he is rem
dering sufficient service by giving =
pair of suspenders for the biggest
bushel Of corn, and the banker a few
pence for the most curious looking
ii.
The problem is too great 20 yield COM
pletely to such treatment
Farming is the biggest business in
the world. and constructive work that
will permanently benefit agriculture
must be planned on big. broad, com
prehensive basis. Co-operatine with
the farmer as an individual is not suf-
hcient. and will not reach the heart
of the problem. The heavy and moe
important work can only be done
through organization. There must be
partnership between industries. and
each line of organized industry work
within its own orbit The bunkcrs can
render service i'll working out q svs-
TEN OF credits better adapted to tho
business of farming; the Transports
ZION lines can help us by locating mar
Rets and reaching them in tn,
best conditions at the lowest
expense; in agricultural depart
ments OF government by co-or
dlnating supply and demand, ami the
study OF market conditions ana
methods There must be partner
ind t.in