The weekly soliphone., 1915-06-11
MUST GET MARKET
FOR OUR PRODUCTS
Demonstration Thos. J. Bentley En-
phasizes Necessity of 0rganiza-
ton Among Farmers.


association held its second meet
ing at the court house Saturday
for the purpose of completing the
organization. Very few farmers
were present, when you compare
those present with those who
should have been there.
We wish to say again that the
association is for the purpose OF
handling the various crops being
raised this year that have not been
raised before. OF course, we have
always raised Irish potatoes and
sweet potatoes, but we are raising
ten times more this year than ever
before.
This is so not only with potatoes
but with great many other crops.
For these various new crops there
has not been a market developed
at home. If we sell them at
profit we will be obliged to find
and develop market for them.
The only way to- do this is for the
farmers who raise the crops and
the local business men to get to-
gether and work in cooperation
with each other.
The most peculiar thing develop
ed so far is the absence of farmers
at these meetings, and especially
the farmers who are raising the
special crops. AS money crops, to
supplement our cotton. we are cul-
tivating this year several hundred
acres of peanuts, sorghum, water
melons, cantaloupes, Irish potatoes,
sweet potatoes and sunflowers.
The men who are raising these
crops have not been present at
the meetings, yet this association
is for the especial purpose Of as
sisting these farmers.
l think the proper thing for you
to do is to stay at home while we
are trying to organize and if the
project fails for want of your CO.
operation, and you get your special
crop ready for sale and find no
market you can raise the howl that
there is no market for sorghum or
potatoes, or melons, or sunflowers
and you will not plant any more.
1t is impossible to form a coop
erative association among farmers
for the good of the farmers unless
they are willing to help do the
cooperating.
Early Irish potatoes are now
ready for the market and the mar
ket is hungry for potatoes, yet a
farmer came to Paragould last Sat-
urday with six bushels and could
not sell them.
The merchants Of Paragould are
not prepared to handle an unlimit-
ed amount of these products. We
must find an outlet for them if we
sell them at a profit above pro-
duction. ii you farmers who are
growing early potatoes had come
to our first meeting when we ad-
vertised and asked you to come, we
could have been about ready now
to do business for you, but you
stayed at home that day.
We are extending third invita-
tion to you to come to the court
house next Saturday, June II, and
meet with us and help us and let
us know what you have for sale
and how much.
don't think there is the least
doubt about the Ozark Fruit Grow
ers' Association being able to han
die anything we have to sell but
we will have to get together.
1t is hoped that each farmer in
terested will make it point to be
present. Don't stay at home and
say there will be enough without
me.
We are talking directly to you
and not over your head to your
neighbor.
AS final appeal I am going to
say lay down everything and come.
T. J. BENTLEY,
Special Agent U. S. Dept. of Agri-
culture