Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-18

they might act in concert, and, by getting moro closely
In touch with the terminal markets, obtain better prices
them. The instrument which they created for this pur-
pose was the Farmers Union Of Maine, a statewide or
sanization with local branches in various communities.
This union acts as q buying and selling agency for its
members whenever they wish to avail themselves Of is
services. 1t is also empowered under its charter to on
gage In the manufacture of supplies ana the storage Of
products. The business thus far transacted has been
confined chiefly to the sale Of products and the purchase
of such supplies as feed, fertilizer and seed, for which
there 10 a general demand among the farmers.
A bulletin issued by the Maine department Of agri-
culture gives interesting information as to the history
Of this movement and tho progress made. This report,
which 10 for the year ending June 30, 1914. tells Of the
preliminary organization work ana Of the methods en-
ployed in handling products. In the first year Of is OPP
Grafton the society handled the marketing Of $50 cars
of potatoes. three cars Of apples and two cars Of hay.
seventy-hve per cent Of the cars were loaded by mex
perienced shippers without supervision. All were sue
cessfully marketed with the exception Of eight. OF these
four were frosted through inadequate heating by the
railroad companies. and four because Of bad loading.
The report says:
"An products were sold At q price before the car
directed by the manager Of the Farmers Union Of Maine
direct to the dealer in the city. with drift attached.
The draft was paid direct to the bank through which it
was drawn and the proceeds returned direct to the load
or. AT the end Of the month the loader or the exchange
paid to the Farmers Union Of Maine one and one-half
cents per bushel for each bushel sold. One cent Of this
or was Transferred to the treasurer Of the Farmers
Union Of Maine"
Since that time the methods Of handling have been
modified as experience has suggested. The union at the
date Of the report included about so local exchanges,
and its work was proving very satisfactory. From a
private letter 1t is learned that since that time about
100 new local exchanges have boon added to the men,
bership. and the work has been thoroughly systematized,
Agents are now maintained in Boston and New York
who deal directly with merchants in those cities. More
than 1000 cars OF potatoes were sold by the union last
year. Sentiment now 10 such that practically all the
general potato marketing of the state is certain to be
handled in this manner as soon as the work Of local or
gantzation can be completed. The potato industry is
one of the most important in Maine. In one county.
nually. and the potato crop Of the state amounts to
about 100000 bushels.
The Maine farmers who marketed their crop
through the union last year received an average proe
Of $3.50 for their product. There was no difference be-
tween tho price paid to the producer and that realized
at the terminal market save that governed by the actual
cost Of transportation and handling.
All of this has q local interest because Of the fact
that some weeks ago the governor of North Dakota, in
an address delivered in New York, dwelt upon the de-
plorable conditions Of potato marketing in this state, as
scented the farmers Of his state to be in a helpaess and
hopeless condition because Of the failure Of state legis-
lation which would make the state government the mar
keting agent for the farmers.
The Maine farmers are getting the full market value
for their product. They are doing this without the in
vestment Of a dollar of public funds or the enactment
Of any new law, state or national. They are doing what
IL done by the Standard OIL people, by the packers. by
the manufacturers. by men in every other line of busi-
cry for the marketing Of their own product. And they
are making a success of 1t. The same thing can be done
in North Dakota If the persons chiefly interested will
only 60 at it.. g.