Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-03-31
SAYS FARMERS CAN
Make MONEY HERE
RUT MUST ORGANIZE, STANDARD
IZE PRODUCTION AND MARKET
OO.OPERATIVELY.

Prompted to reply to the article by
Sylvester Smith. recently published,
because he thinks some of the i'm
pressions he may have conveyed
should be corrected" Lee c. Lewis,
son OF Fred w. Lewis of Brighton
Park, and q graduate of the agricul-
tural department Of Washington
State College, at present engaged as
tester for a cow-testing association
in the Walla Walla district, sent the
following letter to The Washington
Standard this week:
Editor Standard:
AS a usual thing am against the
idea of newspaper controversies, but
the article of Mr.. Sylvester Smith in
your issue of March 3 was SO regret
ably bitter and sarcastic that think
some of the Impressions he may have
conveyed should be corrected. Mr..
Smiths mental attitude seems to be
similar to that Of the spoiled child
who will neither pull out an offend
ing splinter nor allow anyone else to
do it, because he's having such a
good time letting everyone know how
miserable he is.
From my experience and observa-
ton in several other sections of
Washington, wish to correct Mr..
Smiths plant that Thurston county
is not a farming country. He seems
to think it exorbitant that q man
must pay 800 an acre to clear land,
but II he will take the pains to COM
pare his section with the other Sec
tions he will find that that is about
as cheap as preparing land for irriga-
ton and paying for water every year.
Farming Requires Capital.
admit that the ordinary farm
er" can't make very much money, but
neither can the ordinary merchant"
for farming is as much of capital
istic enterprise now as any other
business. In the farm survey made by
the State College and United States
department of agriculture in Wah-
kiakum county, a county similar to
Thurston, it was shown by actual fig-
ures (no theory about 1t at alO that
the IL best paying farms produced a
labor income for their owner Of
$1,400, after interest on investment.
taxes, ETC.. we're paid. but that the
capital invested was about $4,000 in
land and $4,000 in stock, implements,
ETC.. making a total Of $21.200.
The smaller paying farms required
less capital, but the figures show that
capital Is required for successful
farming. This is regrettable, know,
but Mr.. Smiths sarcasm won't help
change it any. The small farmer
must get along as best he can, but
must not blame the country II he
doesn't give it fair chance and ap-
ply business principles.
Now as to the Potato club, which
was the particular object Of Mr..
Smiths resentment, can't believe
that Mr.. Smith spent very much real
thought on the subject. In the first
place Thurston county has never had
anything to market. They were we'll
started on berries once, but a bad
year spilled the beans and everyone
quit. However, II one will but look
at what other localities have done,
Puyallup or North Yakima for In
stance, he will take heart. II CONT
munity puts out a standard grade OF
article and in a big enough quantity
to market economically. 1t will hnd
market, but not otherwise.
Mr.. Smith Is right when he says
supply and demand have most to 40
with market, but the supply must be
worth the while Of commerce or the
demand will not be very great. YAK
ina potatoes have been widely adver-
tised, are standard grade article,
and they have definite market.
Thurston county can grow as eood
potatoes. but onyl through some
form of cooperation can they be
srown in quantities, standardized ana
advertised in such manner as to
become very profitable.
Dairying in Oregon.
Vincent, Ore, where part OF my
work lies. has a cooperative cream
cry, which, though it's product is not
great deal better than the average
nevertheless has several towns bid
ding for it's output at a cent or more
above the market price. These men
are paying for SIS hay. 81 silage and
some $28 and $28 grain, interest,
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