The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-17

Mr.. President and Ladies and
Gentlemen: 1t devolves upon me as
president of the Lakeland Farmers
Club to say something to you. do
not know as l can make better use
of the time than to offer some of the
reasons for the existence of a Farm
ers' Club.
First the necessity Of a better ac-
quaintance with our neighbors and
the cultivation of sociability. We
meet once a month, shake hands, get
an introduction if any are present
that We have not met before; look
over the place of our host; discuss
such questions as may arise in doing
SO; learn how he does things. In
the meantime the ladies spread the
dinner to which all have contribut-
ed what they like.
BY the way, l might add that it
has always been as good as a royal
banquet were it not for my extreme
modesty, but as one of our old mem
bers has frequently alluded to the
wonderful improvement in the cook
ing Of our ladies in the past few
years l feel at liberty to designate
them royal.
1T is always served on the picnic
order, where everyone gets to sam
pie that brought by others. Every
one gets his fill and is in good shape
to be sociable and makes good use Of
the opportunity to cultivate that all
important quality.
Farmers are more isolated in their
occupations than town people, hence
this is one of the important features
of our Farmers Club.
Second, the questions that have
previously been decided to be consid
cred arc taken up and discussed
pro and con, when we are enabled
to get one another's views on the
best time to do and the method of
doing this or that line of work that
pertains to our business, which is
beneficial to all and especially so to
the newcomers.
Third, we are an organization
that represent an important part of
the citizenship of any community,
which | am glad to note is being
recognized more and more in all CIV
ilized countries as civilization ad-
vances. You will agree with me that
much is said in our daily press about
advancing the interest of the farm
ers, etc. Our politicians have caught
onto the popularity of saying some
thing along this line and have been
making large appropriations from
year to year to support the depart
ment of agriculture, which is edu-
eating the farmers to look and in
quire into their own. All of which
makes us feel hopeful that some
time in the near uturc we will be
able to ask for our own.
1t is only when we fully realize
the important position that we oc-
cupy in the economy of a nation,
and the affairs of the world, that
We will have the nerve to ask for
our rights.
We view with admiration the fine
buildings of our cities, the magnf
cence of its inhabitants, the ele
CANT equipage of our railroad and
street car lines, as well as the other
luXuries of the nation, without
stopping to think that the most of
these are from the products of the
soil.
Although the farmers of the Unit
ed States are today reaping a great
er reward for their labors than they
have ever done before, want to
call your attention to the fact that
they are not yet getting any way
near their just share.
Hence the necessity of organiza
ton, better acquaintance with one
another and cooperation to bring
about the desired results.
We hear much said about the
high cost of living. But investiga-
ton shows that the distributors of |
the products of the farms are get
ting the bulk of the high cost.
This has to be corrected before
there will be peace IN the family.
For one, | believe our legislators
Are doing the best they can to cor
'ect some of the evils that now ex-
st. But we must not forget what |