The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1919-01-09
their patrons. Clearwater is the
only county where the farmers


handled all the grain raised. or in
other words did 100 per cent busi-
ness. Lincoln county ranks second,
with more than 80 per cent to the
farmers credit. Many, of these
elevators grind feed, charging a
few cents per sack. They fire.
quently buy feed, -four, coal, twine,
farm machinery, lumber, posts.
fence wire, oil, seeds, salt. tile and
cement. In the business year of
1928 they handled approximate
ly 100000 worth of these sup
plies. This branch of cooperation
among farmers has perhaps been
the most important of all as re-
CARDS business.
The cooperative buying clubs
purchase everything that may be
used on the farm or in the house.
Usually they exist in remote dis
tricts OF where there are but few
dealers, who, having but few COM
petitors-in some cases-charge
exborbitant prices. The secretary
will gather up the orders and en-
deavor to have enough to buy in car
load lots, thus making a saving on
freight rates. When the goods
arrive the farmers are notified,
who then promptly get them at the
car, paying cash as they receive
them. This is the usual way this
business is carried on. Sometimes
farmers experience great difficulty
in buying from wholesalers, and
naturally the retailers are not in
love with this method of doing
business. However. the farmers
are often able to obtain reduced
rates from retailers when present
ing club orders; others will have
nothing to do with them.
The get-together clubs are bene-
fetal chiefly because of their social
and educational advantages. Usual
ly they cover but a small district
so that their may be little difficulty
for all the members to meet. Some
times the meetings are held in the
schoolhouse at intervals of two
weeks or one month. or they may
be held at the homes of the mem
bers. Some clubs appoint pace
Makers" each being a specialist in
his line; for instance: the dairy
wizard" should be the most enthu-
siastic and best informed member
of the club on the dairy business.
The corn king" should be the
most successful as we'll as the best
authority on the subject. Even a
potato crank flower queen,' -
and "home MAKER" as we'll as
many others, may be made leaders
in the various branches. These
leaders or pace makers" are ex-
pected to stimulate interest by
demonstration and give the other
members their secrets of success.
Thus, these clubs may be of great
Importance and be of the greatest
help to the community in general.
Does farming pay? I contend
that it does. Perhaps the farmer
runs more risk than the business
man. If he settles in a community
where crops are known to have
been success for number of
years, he should not lose but make
rapid strides to success. One
should not buy land until he is
reasonable certain that he can hold
it in case of a crop failure. The
price of land is governed by the
condition of the soil, amount of
improvements, good or bad water,
and the distance from market,
churches and schools.
l have in mind a gentleman who,
five years ago, bought 100 acres.
with very little improvements, at
$50 per acre, paying about 1000
down. The soil was quite light;
some people laughed at the deal
and called it a sand bank. This
man had II years previous expert
ence with all kinds of land and to-
day he has as well farm as the
average and has made a good liv-
inu for q family of tan hOuuht on