Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-25


at county centers. just how many hogs then were
being raised by the patrons of rural lines. The
result was exceedingly interesting. 1t was found
that among the thirtynine patrons reached through
the Camilla exchange all except one were raising
hogs, and that the number of hogs which would
be available for marketing ranged from thirty to
as many as two hundred. Further investigation
showed that approximately ten thousand hogs were
being raised by the patrons in the territory of the
exchanges at Pelham. Albany. Valdosta and Ca
milla. This record, it should be noted, includes
only the farmers who have telephones connected
with those four towns. What would the record
be if a similar inquiry made among farmers
generally throughout the State?
Having ascertained these facts, the Company
next undertook to organize into cooperative sell
ing associations the farmers with whom it had
communicated. The patrons readily responded.
They met at convenient points selected of their
number agent to represent them in dealing
with prospective buyers 1t is the business of this
agent to keep informed market prices and con-
ditions and to keep in touch both with his neigh
bors and with packing houses. He learns just how
many hogs there for sale in his district and
just when they will be ready for shipment. He
secures bids from the packing house. and if salts
factory terms be arranged closes deal. He
notifies the railroad agent when cars for
shipping will be needed. Thus the business of
selling hogs in that district is reduced to definite,
dependable basis.
The results are profitable to all interests
cerned. BY means Of this cooperative plan, the
farmers enjoy advantages which scattered, indi-
vidual efforts could not secure. They enabled,
for thing, to sell in carload lots; and, gener
ally speaking, that is by far best way to SELL
Furthermore, they are enabled to sell with broad
and accurate knowledge of market prices and
ditions. Most important of all, they have regular
relations with regular buyers. Likewise the pack
ers are benefited by having a responsible agent
with whom to deal and from whom they can learn,
at any time, how many animals available for
shipment At the outset the telephone company
supplies the members Of the rural line associations
with needful information as to marketing require
ments, freight rates., market centers, loading sta
tions and other essentials The system here de-
scribed remains to be worked out in detail and
broadly applied but its inherent values are obvious
If an individual corporation fit to promote
such an enterprise means of upbuilding it's own
and the communitys resources, certainly the State
can AFFORD to do so. The farmers who are now
patrons of telephone lines a meager fraction of
all the farmers In Georgia who raise hogs and food
crops, who would do so II they were assured of
adequate markets State market bureau, so de-
signed and conducted as to establish dependable
relations between growers and buyers would be of
incalculable value to the agricultural and, indeed
all the interests of Georgia. Such a bureau has
been instituted by Alabama, and is proving won
derful incentive to the production of food stuffs
and live stock in that State.
This, of course is only one phase of the market
problem and only one means to satisfactory solu-
ton. Every city in Georgia should study the re-
sources and needs of its territory and develop
market facilities accordingly. Every chamber of
commerce and board of trade should give this line
OF enterprise prominent place in their construc-
tive programs. What we wish now to emphasize
however, is the Importance of providing definite
means agency through which the farm producers
Of foodstufs get into touch with established
dealers. For this purpose. State Market Bureau
supplemented, perhaps, by local bureaus, would be
of invaluable service. 49,.