The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-07-19

FARMERS SELLING DIRECT TO CONSUMERS.
should receive the major part Of the
money involved. The closer they get
to the consumers the more certain they
are to secure their proper proportion
Of the cash paid for commodities.
In nearly all farming communities
are few men who stand out promi-
nently by reason Of their success in
marketing their products. Others Of
equal industry and skill in producing
crops fall far behind in the matter-of
money compensation. Dealing with
private customers and obtaining retail
prices or cooperation with a sufficient
number of neighbors SO that both ship
ping and selling may be properly man
aged will lift many farmers out of the
rut.
For myself, l have made success Of
direct selling TO private families. In
this way ] dispose of the output of
dairy of twelve cows, besides poultry
products and some fruit, vegetables,
honey and flowers. These supplies 20
readily at full retail prices in a town
two miles from the farm. have Il
few customers In one of the larger
cities who are served by parcel post
or express. | know from the inquiries
received that | could just as easily
sell ten times as much produce. Many
farmers do not make this effort.
As showing the demand for fresh
country produce. am acquainted with
two women In different localities who
buy W eggs, poultry, butter, fruit. etc,
and deliver direct TO city families, each
using horse and wagon for the pur-'
pose. One Of these women went into
the country upon farm when her
husbands health gave out and prob
ably had the wisdom TO see that as a
back To the lander" she did not have
the strength or the weight TO pound a
living out Of the soil There are diff
ferent ways. however of making liv-
ing and this small and refined woman
saw an opportunity to benefit both
farmers and consumers by doing a
produce business. She drives about
through the country picking up poul-
try products and light high grade ma.
terlal and then takes them to town,
where she sells out 10 good advantage
The farmers are all pleased 10 deal
with her. She seems To be popular all
along the way. BEFORE she left town
she was Il stenographer, and her pound
ing the keys Of her machine has evi.
IDENTIFY taught her how to touch the
keys Of human nature 50 as 10 produce
good impression. This woman Is do
ing wei, at her business. aud she has
certainly set us all an example OF how
10 develop Il good trade I'm new way
and in new section. There is more
money TO be made in the future by
learning how to reach the consumer
direct than there ever win be in pro
luclng larger crops.
In several other cases know Of
farmers who have DEVELOPED busl.
nesses Of this kind from coming in con
tact with a growing list ~ customers
who required more stun than one place
could produce. Everything points to
the fact that American farmers are
face TO face with a great opportunity
for advancement. Business principles
should be introduced into farming for
economic efficiency, with results hene
fetal both 10 producer and consumer
Farmers In particular communities
should develop staple products, stand
ardize them and study what market
to reach at given time and the best
method of shipping.