Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-16
ENTHUSIASM FOR FARM BUREAU.
Eastern Connecticut DeveIopnnenA Committee, Meeting with Local Bus mess Nen'- Association, Appoints Committee to Push Plan.

The plan of organizing a farm Ieague or farm bureau, the title has not been decided upon, was given a big for | ward push here Friday afternoon at the regular meeting of the Eastern Connecticut Development committee with the Putnam Business Mems as sociation, in the hall of Putram Nest of -Owls- At the time of the largest attendance there were about 50 pres ent and they were representative of number of Windham county towns and of the business mems associations il, Norwich New I ondon, WFillilnantic Putnam and Danielson. The meeting was also attended by live farmers men who have made successful rec ords in Yariogs lines of agricultural endeayor and by representatives of manufacturing concerns in the city.
 Farm Bureau Favored.
 Ire farm bureau idea was explained at length and the applause accorded the various speakers as well as state nlants made, indicated that there is certain to be strong support of such an organization as it now seems like ly will be established
 Committee of Nine.
 The definite action taken toward fornninr the farm bureau consisted of a vote of the meeting appointing the presidents of the business mems as sociatiOns in Putnam, DanieIson and Willimantic each to name three men. making q committee of nine, to spread the gospel of the farm bureau idea get people interested and> gathered in 0 meeting to be held in Putnam on Feb. 1. The intention is to have this meeting a large one and to have it take steps for the forming of a Der n1anent organization.
 New London county men present in the meeting and Professor Baker of Stcrrs college furnished the inforna- tion as to what farm bureaus are for and the great good that can be ac- cemplished through their worI1ingsi The Nindhanl county men were very attentive listeners.
 Joseph T. cruttenden Chairman.
 J. T. Cruttenden Of Norwich and Mantle acted as chairman of the meet ing and Charles W. Pearson of Nor wich was secretary.
 Speaker from Storrs. Professor. Baker of the Agricultural college at StorrS gave a very inter- esting talk on farm bureaus and their work. His intention is to have this work taken up in every county iu Connecticut New London county is already organized and in Fairfield, Litchieid, Hartford and New Haven cCInties preliminary steps have been taken or plans made for organizing. The farm bureau work started in the south Professor Baker explained. where an effort was being made to stamp out the boil Wevil-
 Much Unirnpreved Land.
 Only 45 per cent. of the farm land of Connecticut IS improved il was stated, this being q. shrinkagc of about 90 per cent. from the high development figures of years long gone. Only 52 per cent. of the farm land of the state, which has 26.000 farms is pro d71niu-- TT1a g lp-Tn.1 -i1pp +1e population increasing, this being one of the things that accounts for the increased cost of living. Of the S8,0oQ acres of farm land in Connecticut only 50, 900 are crop producing. Thirty eight thousand acres are not producing. Professor Baker explained the financial aid the government and state is pro Viding in developing movements of the kind being consid cred and gave esti- mates of what it will cost to maiu- tain 5l farm bureau in this county. Murray D. Lincoln Heard. NJ. D. Lincoln. county agent of the New London county farm bureau. eX- plained his mission as an agent and his work. He is charged with finding out what is wanted by the farmers. called upon to meet their problems and to act, at times, as q, medium of as a first duty in organizing a bureau that a farm survey should be made, interest the farmers. find out those that jLre successful and why those who fail are not succe ssful, help those who are not successful by getting them to adopt systems that will win them success.
 Agents Usefulness. The agent can also help wonderfully by encouraging boys and girls to form clubs and become interested in agri- culture. He can also be of great as- sistance to the farmers through CO., operation with them in the selling of theIr products. Knowing his territory well, he can make deals with big buy CTS to take the farmers produce in large lots and at best ootainable prices, saving the farmer and the buyer much time and trouble in getting together. Through q. close and friendly coopera- ton carload lots of produce can be Senator ThoElrson, Pomfret, Piessis, PI1rOan1. state, library. Davis East