Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-04-06
Farm Demonstration Notes.

AS the time for fixing the summer price
OF milk. May l, approaches, increased in
terest in the dairy organizations is BEGIN
ming to manifest ITSELF Milk is the only
farm product the price of which is fixed at
stated times or even "fixed" at all. The price
of other farm products fiuctuates according
to the law of supply and demand. 1t is
largely the arbitrary fixing" of milk prices
that causes so much friction and dissatis-
faction. 1t is doubtful if entire relief will
ever be obtained until the present system
OF marketing milk is changed. This will
take time. For the present all we can do
is to make the best of bad situation.
Montgomery county dairymen are prac-
tically unanimous in demanding that the
present winter prices of 23 cents per gal
Ion for standard three and one-half per
cent milk be continued for the summer.
This is in keeping with the demands made
at other large Eastern markets, some even
asking that the summer price be advanced
over the winter price. The Executive Com
mittee of the Maryland and Virginia Milk
Producers Association has just sent out
notices of a mass meeting to be held Sat-
urday, April 7, at II A. NJ. in the Raleigh
Hotel. Washington, when the producers
will be asked to ratify the committees
demand for continuance of the winter
price.
Some dissatisfaction arose during the
past year over the work of the Executive
Committee. At present, however. the COM
mittee is in better shape to accomplish
its purpose. and has its work better in hand
than ever before. It.is not likely to repeat
the mistakes of the past. 1t has its work
cut out for it and it Is no small undertak-
ing. A little patience and Generous sup
port, both moral and financial, will enable
it to serve the producers interests accept
ably. For the present this Executive Com
mittee is the producers one best bet for
solving his marketing problems. With his
cooperation and support, it can secure a
square deal for him. Without his help, it
can accomplish little. 1t is up to every
producer to boost, and boost hard.
The cost of milk production has been ad-
vancing steadily. Previous summer prices
have no bearing whatever on the case.
Farming is a business. not philanthropy.
The dairymen have no desire to exploit
either the dealer or the consumer. Both
are necessary for his success. So are a
fair price and living profit for his product.
The food value of milk and other dairy
products are but poorly appreciated by the
average consumer, The price to the con-
sumner could be largely advanced and still
give him more food value for his money
than he could get in any other way. There
is no question but that great economies
are possible in more efficient system Of
distribution for the dealers. The cost Of
production could be lowered by growing
more high-protein feeds on the farm, elimi-
mating the Improbable cows. and by adopt
ing more business-like methods generally.
The pot cannot call the kettle black. The
problem is really three-cornered one. 1t
will never be solved by the producer, the
dealer and the consumer engaging in
three -cornered fight. In the last analysis,
their interests are mutual and center about
an improved dairy industry based on sound
business principles.
The most important thing is the thing
to do first. For the Montgomery county
producer this means that he should at once
join the County Dairymens Association.
which has neither fees nor dues, and also
the Maryland and Virginia Association.
The latter has reduced its fees to So per
year. This is in the interests of efficiency
and real service. The interests at stake
are certainly worth giving the association
one more trial If every producer will
help. the results will be sure not to disap-
point. Attend the mass meeting in Wash
ington on the 7th. Join the association.
Let its officers know that they can bank
on your support, and let them also know
that you expect results.
A Boys Agricultural Club was organized
in the Poolesvile High School by County
Agent Van Hoesen on the 25th Of March,
with sixteen members. The officers are
as follows President. E. Guy Jewell Vice
President, John Trundle; Secretary. John
Oxley. Seventy-five boys are now enrolled
in the county with several schools to hear
from. There promises to be some lively
competition for first place in some Of the
home project work.
Garden clubs are getting to be quite the
thing. They seem to be as popular in the
small town and suburban community as in
the large cities. 1t is one Of the sanest
forms of preparedness, and will make for
the efficiency of both the individual and
the community. County Agent Van Hoe
sen addressed meeting Of twenty resi-
dents of Alta Vista Saturday evening on
garden soils and crops. at the home Of Mr..
and Mrs. 0. H. Tibbott. A great deal Of
interest was shown in the work, and ar
rangements we're made for public dem
onstratiun in pruning home orchards on
Saturday afternoon of this week. 1t is
expected that the movement will result in
the organization OF permanent garden
club.
Prof. Willis Moore has just purchased
two 8-16 Advance-Rumely farm tractors.
and will have them at work on his farm
In few days. He has been appointed
distributing agent for Maryland, Delaware
and Virginia. and will enter machine
in the tractor demonstration which will
be held some time in April near Rockville.
We hope to announce the exact date next
week.
Assistant State Forester F. R. Ford as
sisted County Agent Van Hoesen two days
last week in going over several timber
tracts in the county. As a result at least
t,.o trocta x,iIl he strveved and acctrafa