Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-10
"Saving" Our Agriculture.

II
"Saving" Our Agriculture.
There Is veritable deluge these days
OF movements in behalf of agriculture
and rural life. Congress, legislatures,
colleges, boards of trade, commercial in.
stitutions, business men and other agen-
cies apparently are obsessed with the
notion that agriculture is tottering and
that without prompt attention must
soon fall, pulling with it business and
commercial interests. Even so we'll ad
vised and worthy an institution as the
National dairy show comes to Spring
field, Mass, this year with the advertis.
ed purpose of saving New England dairy
interests. In announcing this location
throughout the length and breadth Of
the land, the management said the great
west responds to the Macedonian call
from New England to save its herds and
farms.
This is unfortunate publicity and like
ly TO give the country an erroneous idea
of New England agriculture. Obvious
ly, our farmers have their problems, but
1t is doubtful IL they are more acute
than elsewhere. The west was not built
up by advertising it's disadvantages-and
they were many. Further, there is no
better stock in America than in New
England. The most widely known herds
of Jersey, Brown Swiss and Holstein are
in New England. No section of it's size
can boast more or better cow-testipg as
soclations than Vermont. While prices
of dairy products and stock are too low,
where are they higher?
This is only one example of the many
movements to "save New England agri-
culture" New England is glad to en-
tertain the dairy show and it is worth all
it costs. But to class il as savior is
too much. The Homestead in season
and out has urged that redemption must
come from within rather than from
without-not from the top down, but
from the foundation up. We vigorous
ly resent the implication that our agri-
culture has gone to the bowwows and
that our farmers are mendicants. New
England farmers seek no pap nor patron
age. Too often are they victims of these
movements, launched from without,
which assume they must be saved. Be-
ing from without and not familiar with
the real conditions, much ammunition is
wasted. Great promises are made, but
upon delivery farmers usually find i'm
mature lemons or boomerang with a
wonderfully elastic string attached.
So often has this proved true that
farmers cannot be blamed for responding
slowly to this or that project for their
alleged "uplift." Experience is won
derful school. This factor accounts for
as much lack of cooperation in agricui-
ture as does the farmers isolation.
There have been so many carloads OF
"outside lemons" received that many
farmers are inclined to suspect similar
shipments from their neighbors. The
present sentiment among the rank and
file of farmers is to tolerate these uplift
movements. They feel some are good,
others Indifferent and still others worth
less. To which class given movement
belongs farmers are inclined to 60 slow
and let results speak. Thus the hackers
of worthy project must expect slow
progress until the confidence OF farmers
is secured.
Right here be it said that any move
ment directed from a source other than
the farm and designed to uplift the
farmer will have tough shedding. Farm
ers rightly believe that the interests OF
city business men and consumers are
not identical with theirs. The farmer
will always buy as low as possible and
the producer wants all he can get. The
history of some farm bureaus thus FAR
shows what farmers can expect when
business men from the city direct them.
Thew exert commendsble energy to In
crease production of farm products OF
higher quality. But the moment move
| is made to increase the price to the pro-
ducer or TO displace some middlemen ID
the city, up goes the white flag. Even
state and national bodies, supported by
the general public, are embarrassed by
their dual position. One New England
county agent who started a movement
| for more direct distribution from fsrm
to consumer was told: "Go easy, we
cannot do this without offending ousi-
ness interests. Suppose we lose the'r
financial supportP"
That agents reply should De emoazen-
ed in the heavens. This Is iarm ou-
reau. In working for farmers u I'm 10
be thwarted in my efforts, my resigns-
ton is ready" There is what farmers
want and will support. A recent editor-
| ial trip in that county found farmer
after farmer saying, "Say, but we're
lucky to have a man like--for our
leader" Those farmers will follow TINS
agent through the din of the battle loyal
ly and with courage. he may be attack-
ing the wrong wing and be defeated, out
thew are with him. Do not say farmers
| lack confidence in cooperation. They
i lack the right sort of leadership. :, :,
Figuratively, the woods are fuii oi
| salaried men ''saving" our agriculture,
our farmers and their wives or sne'f
| children. All are making something OF
| a showing and reports to their superlors
are evidently good enough to continue
the pay envelope, but one can start III,
teress in a cemetery il he has money ana
time to hire a band and buy fireworks.
About 90 percent of our uplift is com
ing from the top down. Too much Is
being done for farmers. They are oeing
tpresched at too much. Let all THESE
movements aid the farmer by help 70
self. help. Get back to the community
unit. Show loyalty, sincerity, and con,
6depce to a community of farmers ana
thew will respond. 1t is not so easy 20
thus get a neighborhood working 10
psther as it is a county or state. lhis
Is probably why 80 percent take the easy
wsy. Nevertheless, the community unit
Iis the foundation. Let more OF our
lIoadarsbin he out ON the farms OF q COM