The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-21
By w. A. McRae, Commissioner
Agriculture)

The law to create a State Market
ing Bureau will become effective
July /, and plans are under way to
put it into operation. To enact a
law is one thing. but to fully carry
out it's intent is another. That there
is need of public system of market
ing there is no shadow of doubt. To
make it a success will require most
consistent and earnest cooperation
of all interests.
Without cooperation how can the
farmer, = acting individually = in
crease his profits and save for his
own a part of the present wasteful
cost of distributing the products of
his farm? Can he alone by improv-
ing the quality and appearance of his
products obtain price ample to pay
him for the increased cost?
An illustration as to the point is
seen in an investigation undertaken
some time ago by the U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture in reference to
the egg industry 1t was estimated
from the findings that the country
produced $300,000,000 worth of eggs
annually, but at least Is per cent or
$45.O00,O00 was lost through improp-
er or careless methods of handling
before the eggs left the farm. Eggs
laid in dirty nests, on the ground in
any old place, will not keep as well
as those aid in cean dry nests. Eggs
left to stand in the sun begin at once
to deteriorate in quality if they do
rot actually spoil Dirty and under
sized eggs are poor sellers The
food supply of the country and the
profits Of the farmer must naturally
suffer by such methods To avoid
these conditions requires the utmost
care on the part of the producer
Now to the point. To get results
and show the benefit and need of co.
operation the Department concen
trated it's efforts in one State-Kan
sas. A campaign of education was
inaugurated, various cooperative as
sociations were organized, producers
and buyers worked in harmony. care
was given to production, eggs were
graded and topped the market in
quality and price. and chipments are
now being made by train loads
What is being done with eggs in
Kansas can be done in Florida will
eggs as well as other products of the
farm.
Florida is an agricultural State
Large results are possible here or
limited areas as obtained in few
other States. Farming can be made
profitable, but it is not possible un
less there is successful and con
tented rural population with farm
raised boys and girls retained al
home. The young folks can be KEPT
there if they are given recognition
and made to feel their responsible
ty and given share in the proceeds
The boys and girls are needed or
the farm to keep the minds of par
ents young and their spirits sweet
They are needed there to combine
and make better from experience the
gratest and most important business
on earth. BY all means let the farm
er be led to properly estimate his
high and honorable place in the com
munity. Our own Washington was
more enamored of the farm than the
tented field, and pronounced agricul
ture 1.-The most healthy, the mots use
full. and the most noble employment,
of man." A sterling and vrile rura
population cannot exist unless the
farms are owned by those who oper
ate them. and the operators will not
own the farms unless farming paws.
A problem confronting America is
the coming of millions from alier
lands. problem to be intensified