Putnam patriot., 1915-04-30
COUNTY AGENT WORK
Cooperative Purchasing Association
Tent Caterpillar and Brown.taiI Moth


BY purchasing in carload lots for cash,
the members of this association will
save about "a per ton on their fertili-
GERS for this year.
1t is unfortunate that Mr.. Kennedy
could not get at this work earlier and
have several of these cooperative pur-
chasing demonstrations. Probably
the biggest and most important work
of the county agent here is the organ
izing OF the farmers, not only for pur-
chasing fertilizer, but grain, seeds, and
even machinery, and other supplies,
and also in selling farm produce.
Perhaps it would be well to outline
again MIR. Ksnnedy's plan for organic
ing such cooperative associations. His
scheme is to get number of farmers
in one community, having common
interest, knowing each other well ,hav-
ing confidence in one another, and all
willing to work for the good of the
community, as well as for personal
gain, to form a cooperative association.
These associations are 10 be small
and local in their nature, and are TO
care for the interests OF the one com
munity in which they are formed.
From among the men cooperating, the
officers of the association shall be
chosen. These officers shall transact
the associations business, or they may
elect another member to the position
OF business manager, or purchasing
or selling agent may be elected to do
the business. This agent may well be
local dealer If he can be persuaded to
come into the association, and if he
has the confidence of the members of
the association. The local business
man can usually handle the business
of such an association much more sat-
isfactorily than can one of the farmers,
because of his business experience. He
should be given either small salary
or a percentage on the business he
may do for the association, TO pay HIM
for his time, trouble, the use of his
buildings, equipment, storage facili-
ties, etc.
1t has been the history of coopera
ton, wherever tried, that such small,
independent societies which have paid
efficient management are the ones
which succeed. Those that fail, fail
largely because of poor management.
The manager is, then, very important,
and he should be well paid for doing
efficient work Another essential to
success in cooperation is loyalty. I'm
less the members are loyal To the asso-
citation, and are willing TO accept what
are apparently temporary losses in
order that the association may live,
cooperative association should not be
organized. Members must stick to
their organization through thick and
thin. 1t will benefit them in the end.
There must be considerable material
to be handled comparatively to make
cooperation successful, carload lots, at
least, must be the unit. To attempt to
handle any commodity in smaller
quantities will not amount TO any
more than most of the individual ef-
fort now depended on for the purchase
or disposal of any article.
Cooperation, then, to be successful
must have: Loyalty of members, a
considerable quantity of the commod
ity to be handled, simple but thorough
organization, paid, efficient manage
ment; cash business, and single pur-
pose, that is, the same association
should not attempt to handle all the
business of the community. Separate
organizations should handle the buy
ing and the selling Of the community.
Cooperative associations should be in
corporated under the laws OF the state.
Those interested In cooperation
should read the bulletin on "The
Farmers Cooperative Exchange" by
DIR. Alexander f. Canoe, of the Massa-
chusetts Agricultural College. Copies
Of this may be obtained through the
county agent, w. G. Kennedy, by
writing to him at Putnam.
The tent caterpillar is out in all his
glory. Farmers should take the time
and trouble to rid themselves of this
pest. Spray with three pounds OF Ar
senate of lead TO fifty gallons of water.
Do not attempt 10 burn the nests. In
Jury 10 the tree will result and the
caterpillar whenihe feels the heat will
drop to the ground, usually before he
is severely injured. Another way To
"geti them Is to wind the end Of
pole with small bundle of rags. Soak
this in kerosene and swab the nests off
the trees. A little kerosene coming in
contact with the caterpillar will six"
him, even If he Is not crushed when
the nest is wiped out.
The secretary Of the State Board Of
Agriculture, l.. 81. Healey, has issued
a notice that the broyn-tail moth has
appeared in this county. THIS must
be checked at once or it will not only
become a serious pest on most all trees
and plants, but will endanger the
health of the people. Just few OF
the brown hairs from the insect conn.,
ing in contact with the skin will, in
many cases, set up an Inflammation
that may require medical attendance.
Let US destroy these pests before they
become established in Windham coun-
ty.
Mr.. Kennedy will be in his office, as
usual, on Saturday, May ist, and Will
y Il