The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-22
| RAILROAD NEWS !
SANTA FE HELPS
Railway Conducting Campaign
for Better Markets.
Assists All Branches of Agricul-
ture for More Food.
PEACE EFFORTS INTENSIFIED
Better Methods Must Be EN-
plOyed in Future Efforts.
SlackerS in Car Situation De-
fined by a Z. p. Agent.

servation of foods for the country's
present needs and its requirements for
several years to come, are of infinite
ly greater Importance than any other
factors that enter into our war prob
lens, according to c. L. SeagraveS, in
duStrial commissioner of the Santa Fe
railway, in a signed article in the
Earth, the company official paper.
ITO meet our necessities" ne said, I'VE
must have the cooperation of trained
men who can coordinate the agricul-
tural interests turnout the country for
the production of more food, and its
proper distribution and at prices to
the producer that will compensate
him fairly for the capital and labor
invested
To stimulate greater production and
better methods of markets is a policy
which has been inaugurated by the
Santa Fe. "A concrete example of
the effectiveness of our cooperation"
Mr.. Seagraves explained, was con-
dition that came to our attention at
Rock Ford, Colo, more than year
ago. where the famous Rocky Ford
cantaloupes are grown. The season
was well advanced with q. large crop
in sight and about ready for the mar
ket. The growers were unorganized
and confronted with the prospect of
another poor season on price, because
of lack of system and a general dis
regard for standardizing their product.
The fruit in many instances was
shipped either over-ripe or too green;
no standards were maintained; the
inevitable low returns of previous
years again faced the growers, which
in most cases were unsatisfactory, and
in some disastrous.
Cooperation welcomed.
''Our offer of cooperation to han
die the situation was welcomed. We
found much cause for complaint, due
principally to improper methods en-
ployed in former years, lack of stand
ards and application of modern mar
keting methods.
The growers were brought to-
gether and with the assistance of Mr..
Brant, chief of bureau of markets,
Washington, d. c., and the Santa Re
agriculturists, a melon growers asso-
citation was perfected and made oper-
alive. Every crate of cantaloupes was
inspected and required to come up to
standard. Only first-class fruit was
marketed. Good prices were obtained,
with the result. that instead of grow
ers receiving small returns as had
been the experience in previous years,
with no organiza ton, the season
closed with a very sct asfactory profit.
The question of more food will be
solved thru agricultural preparedness,
food conservation and cooperation.
Intelligent effort will enable this coun-
try to cope with the situation. This
war has developed new economic con-
ditions; it is simplifying the distribu-
ton of farm products and will re-
duce the cost from the producer to the
consumer. 1t is not only bringing
a about greater efficiency in production.
but is creating better business meth
DDS and teaching the producer how to
sell to better advantage, so that in
time marketing systems will be
worked out that will eliminate waste
full and costly handling, yielding larg-
er returns to the producer and at
lower cost to the consumer.
Many Problems Up.
These are some of the problems
which are commanding the attention
of the Santa Fe agriculturists, who
are cooperating with the various state
councils of defense, the agricultural
| colleges, state boards of agriculture
| county farm advisers, millers, grain
dealers, packing houses, creameries
fruit and vegetable organizations, in
| the Interest of bringing about more
| food production to meet the demands
| that will be made upon this country.
| AT the time our preparedness cam
| palgns were inaugurated war was not
| thought of; it was simply a matter of
| good business for the railroad as
| well as the producer. Our co-opera-
ton now for more food production in
the vast territory we serve is not based
| on business, but is inspired from a
sense of loyalty and patriotism.
/ Our campaigns cover all branches
| of farming and include grains, feed
/ crops, livestock, orchard and garden
crops. These campaigns have resulted
in larger yields. better farming meth
DDS; more attention being given to
| preparing the land for seeding; proper
care and selection of seed, and caring
! for the crops when harvested.
Farmer No Business Man.
I'm our campaigns covering a period
| of more than five years many peculiar
| situations have developed, and it has
brought out the fact that while the
| average farmer knows how to produce
crops, he very often lacks the bust
ness experience to market them to
advantage, especially if they are per-
| ishable crops. The same principles
that apply to the successful operation
| of any commercial or manufa curing
business applies to the business of
producing crops. Efficiency on the
farm is as essential as in the factory.
| Waste, lost motion, expensive over
head, and marketing are the deter
mining factors in the success or fail
ure in business as well as the farm.
The waste on the average farm today
will be converted into profit tomor-
row.
| with the better methods that will
be employed in future farming opera
tions. and with the cooperation of the
railroad, the state and federal agricul-
tural departments and agricultural
colleges, farming will attain a much
| higher rank in the business and social
| world. 1t is developing into a bust
| ness that requires skill and intelli-
gence in order to meet the new eco
nomic problems when peace is de-
clared.''
! WE'LL KNOWN CAR SLACKERS.
Sweeping Definitions Made by c. E