The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1917-05-20
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS
ACTIVELY SUPPORTING PLAN
MEMBERS OF BODY URGE FULL
VOTE ON THIS IMPOR-
TANT MATTER.

A real farm agent, such as this
county will have after the voters fav-
orably pass on the matter at the polls
Tuesday, May 10Th, is sort of Pooh
Baah individual, with duties running
in as many directions as the roots
of a stalk of corn Generally, he is
designated as a Farm Demonstration
Agent, because the government,
which loves to call things by their
technical name, has termed him such /;
but, really and practically, he is more
of a market agent than demonstra-
tor; and more of county sales agent
than either. 1t is his business to
know and to inform the farmer where
he can get the best prices for his
produce; to direct him how to ship
it, pack it, or load it in car. if in
carload quantities, what rate of
freight the railroads charge, whether
it should be sent C. o. ID. or open
shipment; in fact to give assistance,
from the abundance Of his wide ex-
perience and knowledge, in such a
way as will secure to the farmer the
best results obtainable in disposing
of his goods. At New Albany, up
in Union county, Farm Agent Minis
was busy few days ago loading and
shipping some hogs for farmers who
had brought them there to sell; no
single one of the owners had enough
for carload, but by combining them
there were enough to make out two
full carloads; Agent Minis knew right
off the reel what kind of a car to get
from the railroad, and in what direc-
tion it was to go; he knew to frac-
ton what the hogs were worth, after
properly grading them, and to what
market the best price could be OBJ.
tained he was posted on the lowest
freight rate to be charged, and how
to make out an order bill of lading
with a sight draft attached and every
other detail necessary TO complete
/ the transaction. His grading showed
that certain hogs would bring Ia
cents pound, while others would
net 16 cents he was able to tell each
owner just what amount his hogs
would net him, and arrange the whole
matter so that the farmer would get
chat amount. There was no charge
for this service, nor would he accept
any, though it was worth good
round sum to every man there whc
sold hog. The county pays Mr.
Minis, out of the taxes the whole peo.
Pile pay in. 1t is in line with his du-
ties to do just such things as these
for any one wanting them done Hac
it been corn, potatoes, hay or sor
ghum, instead Of hcgs, the farm
agent would have handled the mattel
| with the same efficiency. He has Z
card index system on markets, prices
and such things, and when the far
mer wants the information he know
where to get it. SO the idea that 1
farm agent is altogether a demonstra
tor and nothing more, is erroneous
There are some nigh class, scienti
fic farmers whom no farm agent car
teach how to plant, cultivate or har
vest; for they have made as much o
a study Of the thing as any one; bu
these are comparatively few. 1t j
for the great majority of the farmer
that this agent can and will be help
full. He may not be able to demon
strate to them any better way I
plant, fertilize, plow or gather, bu
may be of great help in marketin
or some other branch which the fal
mer is not familiar with.
The Chamber Of Commerce il rigf
behind the idea because it is goo
i and sound business proposition; it
e organizing its forces to get out flu
r and favorable vote, and when tn
) body Of earnest business men unde
take anything tney. don't DO it in