Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-08-18
To Organize ] aruers.

To Organize Farmers.
Now this is just what the county
agent is for. Frst. TO organize the
farmers, that they may form clubs
and introduce better sires into our
county and thereby receive a larger
cream or miIh check semi-monthly.
This same thought applies to all
stock on the farm. That We may or
game potato clubs. so We may all
grow the same variety and keep
watch of the production, so we 10
not over-produce, and be able to ship
to other sections where the potatoes
are needed and thereby gain repu-
tation as a county.
Our fruit men need county agent
to help distribute their fruit. to keep
in touch with the markets and guide
us farmers who toll on our farms
almost all of the time there is day
light and who cannot and will not
take time to that part of the business.
Therefore each year brings failure,
discomfort and encouragement.
r. b. Coglon, leading county agent
of our state, with whom | have had
the pleasure to get acquainted, says
that the county agent of Benton coun-
ty and the agents of many others
have organized the farmers along
these lines. In Benton county the
fruit growers were organized this
year until they did find a market and
receive a good price for their fruit,
and the agent has organized the
farmers in all other lines for the Ear
keting end of the business.
Brother Coglon also states and has
told the commissioners, or one of
them, that the county agent must
have room fitted up in the court
house, large enough for holding large
gatherings that may be called from
time to time as he may see At for the
benefit of the farmers. He said it
was very kind of the Chamber of
Commerce to offer as they had and to
go to the expense they were. He said
the county agent was an official Of
the county, aided by the federal gov
eminent and state, to promote better
farming and marketing and II he did
not prove to be the proper man for
the place he would be removed. He
said he must out constantly, mingling
with the farmers and aiding them
every day except one in the week and
that day he must have for Office day,
when the farmers can visit him and
get advice.
Brother Coglon says he will not
enter into a contract with the COM
missioners for less than two years, as
it takes time to organize and to see
the effects.
Challenges Mrs. Sheldon.
Sister Sheldon, l believe Brother
Coglon meets in his plan all the re-
quirements you are asking for, and
you can plainly see why he does not
recognize the unorganized farmers.
Under these conditions, are you will
ling to accept the plan for two years,
that we may give it a fair test? At
the end of this time, if it is a failure,
l am ready for one to discharge the
county agent and pay my part of the
taxes, which cannot be more than one
dollar.
In conclusion, wish to say that 1
sincerely believe the farmers of
Thurston county do wish to advance.
The efforts of our county agent last
year are developing to certain ex-
tent, though not to the extent they
would have had he or some other
good man been with us during the
present year. I want it for once
thoroughly understood that l am not
working for county agent simply
because l am determined to have one
against the wish of my neighbors, but
because from my reading and study
ing the proposition in other counties
consider it would be benefit to us,
when we are helping pay the costs
anyway.
Miss Annie CASTOR. county auditor,
took with her to the convention of
county auditors held in Everett re-
Gently, the names of all the counties
employing farm experts, and found
that all were satisfied and considered
it a good move, and one of these
counties has a valuation of only ST.
900 and pays its agent $1,000 per
year as salary.
Fraternally,
L. L. SNOW,
Master Thurston County Pomona
Grange.