The midland journal., 1914-08-28
THE CECIL FARMERS CLUB.
Proceedings OF Meeting Held At The Of M C. Reeder
Near Rising Sun, On August Interesting Paper
On Cooperation Among Farmers
COOPERATION AMONG FARMERs.
By DIR. WALTER RHEDER.

By DIR. WALTER REEDER.
". President. visitors and Members Of ae Cecil
Farmers Club:
I have been asked to bring to your attention
q few Of the many important things which
should be considered and practiced by farmers
in all communities. Any point that / may
bring out treats directly or Indirectly with
farmers organizations. Ine not affirm that
farmers need organization most of all, but
do affirm that they do need ork anization and
need 1t badly. My purpose is to suggest some
things that farmers may and some that they
may not attempt to accomplish by organi-
zation.
Farmers' organizations are nothing new.
They have been ON trial third of century;
perhaps longer with varied success. They have
mostly split on one or both Of two rocks-poli-
tics or business. Amy attempt to run farm
organization in the interest OF political party
rs sure to result in ruin. Men will divide on
party lines and the spirit of party loyalty is as
strong among us now as ever. We may lament
the fact but it stands approved by experience
as we'll as reason, farmers organizations must
keep out OF party politics.
| In business results have been more mixed.
Cooperation in buying and selling has been
both a success and failure. The prepondsr-
ance Of testimony is unfavorable but there
have been enough successes to prove that it
can be successful. A strong farmers organi-
zation, covering county for EXAMPLE, can get
about what 1t wants or all that It ought to
have, without engaging directly In either
business or politics. II 1t is once distinctly
understood that the farmers win act together
In support of their interests. will vote to-
gether, will buy and sell in concert. the poll
ticians, the manufacturers, the transporta-
tion companies, the merchants will meet them
more than half way. It is only because we
are disorganized and every man scrambles for
himself that we are the easy victims Of those
who work together
| Socially there Is a large field for organiza-
tion. We deplore the isolation of farm life
and believe that because of this largely. our
young people run away to the city. The or
ganization unit, the grange. the alliance or
the club or whatever 1t may be called becomes
social center around which the people of
school district or township may rally and the
weekly or monthly meetings may be occasions
Of real social Joy. untrammeled by the arti-
ficialities of city society. II the young people
are early introduced to and welcomed in these
gatherings they will more likely retain their
native love for country life.
These organizations also foster 9 spirit Of
good will and brotherly kindness. We come
to know our neighbors better and to discover
and appreciate the good points in their char
ters which are not always apparent on slight
acquaintance. When once we realize how
much we have in common we are sure to come,
closer together. Educationally the opportuni-
ties are not less. In Reorganization farmers
may study their occupation. They can COM
pare notes, exchange experiences and learn to
profit by one another's failures or successes.
It seems quite possible to make these local or
ganizations auxiliary to the State agricultural
college and experiment station, so that the
work done by the State in behalf of improved
agriculture can be brought home to the farm
ers and they be encouraged TO apply it In their
practice. If, then point Of contact could be
established between the scientific agriculturist
of the school and the working farmer in the
field. much Of the prejudice now existing
against agricultural education might be re-
moved. The real dificulty will be to find one
or more persons In each locality capable of
translating the technical language of the
station bulletin into the common speech of the
working farmer Here is real opportunity
for the graduate of the agricultural schools.
In the winter season some Of the meetings
of these organizations may take on g literary
CD0kuCeoks OAAaR9 yO0 AAANy VkAAAAA bAAAn -
waste OF time and energy, but you have little
idea of the great amount of undeveloped talent
in your neighborhood. Debates. recitations.
essays, dialogues and music furnish enter
tainment in endless variety and instruction IS
we'll It is unreasonable to expect that @
creditable program can be prepared in week
but with months preparation most pleas
ing evenings entertainment can be presented.
The educational value OF such entertainment
can not be over-estimated. They supplement
and complete the work Of the public school,
to which, in the rural districts, they should be
attached. They stimulate mental effort,
awaken Inquiry and investigation and accu-
mulate information. In q government like
our own where-every citizen Ia or should be
scepter bearer. such enter tainments become
primary schools Of practical citizenship where
can be acquired the readiness of speech, that
self-control of mind and body and that
familiarity with public affairs which are In
dispensible TO American manhood. The
farmers can never take their rightfuI places
OF this nation until they avail themselves to
the utmost Of such opportunities.
Returning to moro commonplace affairs,
these organizations may be made q bureau of
special use Of its members. reliable crop and
market reports and thus place the interests OF
the farmer on an eQuahCy with those OF COM
nerce and manufacturing. As IL Is, going It
alone, we get 1t seeond-handed from tho mid
dlemen. at loss Of millions OF dollars an
nually.
Perhaps the most serious obstacle is q lack
of leadership. Competent and reliable men to
take charge of these things are not to be found
in every potato patch. Leaders In these de-
partments must be evolved and educated
The process will be tedious and expensive.
Many mistakes and failures are inevitable.
assume even unconsciously, that In native
good sense, in business ability or in integrity,
mankind.
Finally. the organizations should toach us
the lesson of contentment. Perhaps this Is
the most important and withal the hardest TO
learn. Our organizations will help us to
the Importance OF our occupation
and to appreciate its dignity. They win help
us to secure better rewards from labor; help
us to relieve the drudgery Of our toll, help to
improve our home and social life. TO- cultivate
our intellectual natures, to open before US
higher and nobler ambitions, until we come to