The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-11-17

PRQIIIQTERsIl
NEsIVI.R|.|GI||V||.lA.
"a
MEN HAVE BEEN PREYlNa ON
THE FARMERS OF THE
MoUNTAIN STATE.
FORM STOCK COMPANIES AND
THEN SELL APPLIANCES
AT HIGH COST.
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS LOST
BY THIS HAZARDOUS
ENTERPRISE.

y Ea15 4
There has come under the observa.
ton OF; the5Agricultural Extension De-
partmSntso f the West Virginia Uni
tversity, the fact that creamery pro-
motersshaYe been operating in several
sections otthe state. Creameries are
good instruments for the development
az any agricultural community where
there are enough cows to support such
an enterprise. but to go into section
where there is practically no interest
along dairy lines@ organize a stock
company, and open creamery, is
hazardous in the extreme. The his
tory of several such cases is that a
man will enter a prosperous commun-
ity, claiming to be a practical dairy
man, affiliates himself with two or
three of the most Influential and pros
porous farmers and shows them the
advantages that creamery. affords.
These men will then go with him to
see some OF the neighbors, and inter-
est is agitated to such an extent thai
before the hard working farmers real
ize what they are doing they have
signed their names to contract which
will bind them for one or two shares
of stock at $4,000 each. The cream
cry will open with no cream routes
established and not sufficient num-
her OF cows to supply the cream re-
uuired. AS a result the plant will shut
down after operating from sixty days
10 six months and the farmer has his
money locked up in something that
will not realize twenty-five cents on
the dollar However, this is not the
worst of it, Any prospects that the
section might have had of becoming
c dairy section have been paralyzed.
Again, the prices charged for the
creamery machinery is from twenty
five to fifty per cent. in excess of'whnt
1t should be bought for from relia-
BILE creamery supply company, and
even. then the plant is not always
completely equipped.
1t requires about 400 good COWS to
support creamery. This number will
vary somewhat, depending on condi-
lions. Most of the feed for the cows
should be grown on local farms
Phe advantages that creamery Of
fers are many. In the first place,
dairy farming is generally considered
to be one Of the most satisfactory
methods OF building up the soil
where cream is sold, practically all Of
the fertility is retained on the farm.
Secondly, the crops, raised, are mar
keted very profitably in selling cream
and thus bring in steady income
the entire year.
The Extension Department of the
West Virginia University, co.operat-
ing with the Dairy Division of the
United States Department OF Agri-
culture, will be glad to get in touch
with any section desiring creamery
and will send man to make survey
of the situation. to determine the adj
Of creamery organization.
Then, II the prospects are good, 5pe-
cialist can be obtained from the Dairy
Division, who will determine the prop
er machinery necessary and will give
an accurate estimate as to the cost.
The Extension Department strongly
l ecommends that no contracts, be
signed with any creamery promoters
until after an expert from this depart
ment has looked over the proposition
10 determine whether a creamery can
be, profitably established. By acting
upon this advice, which costs the
farmer nothing, serious losses may be
avoided and more Efficient creamefies
established.