The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-04-17
DIXIE FARMERS
LOSE MILLIONS
Poor Methods Result in Great Loss to
the Farmers of the
South.

South.
RICHMOND, Va, April 17.-On the
theory that the farmers OF Dixie an
nually lose six billion dollars which
they might receive for their crops I'M
der proper systems of production and
marketing, a great cooperative move
ment was launched here today at
farmers conference, the sixteenth
educational meeting OF its kind to be
held in the south. In the two-day pro.
gram will appear two score authori-
ties on agriculture, finance and gener.
al organization, many Of them sue
cessful farmers themselves.
1t was pointed out that the virtual
waste of six billion dollars is caused
by poor farming methods, unwise Dor
rowing of money and the purchase of
supplies the farmers themselves could
produce. 1t Is proposed that the
farmer market his crop cooperative
ly; buy goods in the same manner
and borrow money from cooperative
societies. This plan, those behind
the movement claim, will add to the
farmers income; he will be able to
spend more on the pleasant as well as
the useful things of life, to build bet
ter roads, to maintain better schools,
and to make country life better in ev-
cry way
This would also have the effect OF
choking the exodus from the farm
to the cities, promoters of the idea
declare. With this increase in the
rural population, when the young peo-
pie find life the gayer, will come in
time an increase in the amount OF
food stuffs raised and correspond
ing decrease in the cost of living.
Prof. John Lee Coulter, expert spe-
cial agent for the Census Bureau, has
estimated that the value of all south
ern farm products is $2,500,00O, 900
year, but that they cost consumers
twice that amount. Southern farm
ers. he estimates, spend most of their
two and half billions for farm sup
plies, food, clothing and the like, and
of this one billion goes to the middle
men af all classes Southern agricul-
turists, Coulter also figures, lose an
additional two and half billions
each year because of poor farming
methods. They could double their
yield by crop Investigation and 9TH
er improvements, If it were not for
tho Uodvopca oyStap,V ,,,do, x,,b;oh
the creditor forces the farmer to plant
cash crops" year In and year out.
This financing Of the southern farm
is one of the biggest questions to be
considered by the conference. 1t is
estimated that the farmers south of
Mason and Dixon's line lose $163,000,-
600 yearly because of excessive inter
est rates-much OF which they might
retain If they controlled their own
credit systems and agencies for mar
keting and buying
Among the experts who will start
the cooperative movement by speak
ing at the conference here are ]. c..
Caldwell, of Lakefield, Mimi; A. o..
Nelson, of Syea, Minnesota; A. l..
Hacker, who will detail the results
of Minnesota cooperative creameries,
and G. w. Moomaw, W. ]. Shuford, F.
M. Mckee, who were organizers of
the Virginia Fruit Growers Associa-
ton, Eastern Shore OF Virginia Pro
duce Exchange, Catawba County, N.
&c. and Woodford County, KY, cooper
alive organizations. Professor Coulter
will also discuss practical plans for
organization Of cooperative move
ments.
One of thu features OF the confer
rence will be an interstate meeting of
state and county superintendent,
teachers III agriculture and other edu-
Gators, at which the subject for dis
cussion will be THE Most Effective
Means for Developing the Rural
School A. c. Monahan, rural school
specialist in the United States Bureau
of Education. will urge the necessity
for well-defned, constructive coun-
ty plan in rural education Typical
rural school problems will be discuss
ed by Albert S. Cook, OF Baltimore
county, Md; Zebulon Judd, Wake
county, N. c.; Miss Rhea c. Scott and
l.. ]. Hanifan, supervisors in Virginia
and West Virginia, respectively; Miss
Jessie Yancy, Mason county, Ky; A.