St. Johnsbury Caledonian. (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-1920, 1920-03-17
FINDS VERMONT
FARMERS WILLING
T0STAY ON JOB
Caledonia County Husband
men Discuss H. c. l.. In
Practical Way

numDef OF farmers Ill CALEDONIA
and Lamoillc counties in regard to
the alleged "unrcst among the New
England husbandmcn.' He found
that the Northeastern Vermont far
mers were willing to stay on the Job
and are preparing themselves and the
public from the High Cost Of living
practical way.
MI Tomcy's story as it appeared
in the Post is as follows:
There's much ado about the future
of farms and farmers of Caledonia
and Lamoillc counties in and about
this typically Vermont town and al
legged "unrcst among New England
husbandmcn" is the chief topic of
discussion.
First hand Information
"How shall we carry on this sum-
mcr? Has it come to pass that We,
through whose labors tn cdaIy mar
kets Of Boston, New York and other
large cities are supplied with the
very best products obtainablc--must
either curtail our output, operate
"onc-man" farms, or go out of busi-
ness altogether"
No less an authority than the Unit
cd States government recently an
nounccd that thousands upon thous-
ands of falmcrs--thc real backbone
and sincw Of the countly-wcre ready
through no fault of their own to an
nouncc complete suspension Of farm
business.
Many causes were adduccd by the
farmers themselves for this condition
They arc set forth in qucstionnaires
forwarded to the postoflice Depart
mcnt at Washington, in answer to an
appeal for aid in solving the high cost
problem.
! Today Post reporter toured this,
the far-famed dairy section Of old
Vermont, seeking first hand informa-
ton.
Plan to Overcome Obstacle
Out in the snow-bound highways
at the creamcries, in farm kitchens
and barns, in the cowyards and boun-
Diary fences, farmers gave free vent
to the views on the present status of
affairs. In brief here's what came of
it-thcsc facts:
The farmer of Vermont will not
'lic down" in the face of discourage
ing conditions.
Plans are afoot already by the
farmers themselves to minimize the
obstacles under which they have lab
orcd for the past 10 years.
Dairy farming might now be at the
very pinnacle in these vcrdant val
lcys, but for one or two hindcring
conditions.
One of these is the always bother
some middlcman OF jobbcr who takes
huge profits, farmers say, and fix
cream, milk and butecr prices at will.
Another is the continued dearth of
suitable farm help. The well known
lure of the city for the young men
huskics, while not so powerful as be-
fore the war, exists today, and hired
help demand $50 to $50 per month
and "havc their bags always packed. "
Needs More Help Than Ever
Caledonia county farmers have TAX
en- the initiative in a well-conceived
plan to get more money for their pro-
duct and likewise make it possible
for consumers to purchase cream and
butter at greatly lowered prices in big
city markets.
George T. Ruggles, admittedly one
of the best informed dairymcn in this
section and proprietor of one of the
largest dairy farms had this to say
today: 81 have IL wonderful dairy
farm here on Pudding Hill. | feed 40
head of milch cows, including many
high-grade Jerseys and Holstcins.
My butter and cream may be seen on
the tables of big Boston hotels. in
cluding the Hotel Tourainc. | must
have help, more help than ever this
year. I will add many head to my
herd if conditions warrant this
spring. But if can't get sufficient
help, especially in haying season, Ill
sell all my cows, or perhaps keep just
II few.
Farmers to Take Over Creamery
"Now $ regards that much-m0ot-
cd question of markets and the mar
gin between what we get and what
the consumer pays. There is condi-
ton which should Immediately be
adjusted if the farmer is to go OH, if
high costs must come down.
milk up here in this country sells
for nine and Il quarter cents per
quart and I understand that in Bc,-
ton good milk brings the retailers 10
cents a quart. The margin on butter
is proportionatcly the same.
"Farmcrs of st. Johnsbury Centre,
Ianvillc, North Danvillc. Concord
i Waterford and other nearby towns
and villages haul their milk to the
creamery down the valley. Their
monthly creamery checks range from
$50 to $500.