Carthage courier. (Carthage, Tenn.) 1913-current, 1921-06-02

organization OF a cooperative cream
cry association which would mean
the building of a profitable dairy in
dustry in our county.
We heartily approve the movement
and we hereby extend to the farmers
the use of the Courier to assist in
establishing this commendable enter
prise. Smith County is indisputably
suited for such a business. Other
counties, with half the natural adj
vantages, have found it most profit
able.
Undoubtedly, nature has made
Smith County an ideal dairy farm.
Four things are essential to the pro-
duction of milk, namely, good water,
nutritive grasses, abundant cereals
and good cows. And a mild climate
is important. We are blessed with
all of these in rare degree We
have an abundance of blue grass,
much of which goes to waste. Our
many streams afford pure, running
water during the entire year. Our
fertile lands produce hay, grain and
silage most lavishly. Our climate is
mild, and the winter care of the cows
amounts to but little. Truly, Smith
County is naturally adapted to the
dairy business. If the farmers in
Wilson County, and other counties
less favored, can make a splendid sue
cess of the business, why not Smith
County? In many of the leading
dairy counties the farmers buy much
of their feed. Smith County can and
does produce its own feed In many
of the leading dairy counties the rock
is near the surface and the grass in
midsummer withers and dies. Not
so in Smith County. An investiga-
ton Of the dairy business reveals the
fact that it is highly profitable in
four ways, to wit, a profit on the
young calves, profit on the cream.
a profit on the SKINNED milk, which
is fed to pigs, and a profit on the
manure which goes back to enrich
the soil. Much of our land is not
suitable to cultivation. If cultivated
it goes to waste. The hills wash, and
it is soon destroyed. What greater
blessing could come to our people
than to prOect our hill land and at the
same time enrich our cultivable
lands, and all the while engaging in
a profitable industry. Beyond ques-
ton, it is the thing to do. The dairy
business yields ready money and at
the same time builds up the soil. In
order to put this scheme into success
full operation it win be necessary to
have the help of many farmers. 1t
said that whats everybody's bust
ness is nobody's business" Let every
farmer interested get busy with agi-
tation and education. A mass meet
ing of the farmers, will be called
soon. A dairy expert will be here
from the Department of Agriculture
The matter will be thoroughly dis
cussed and all Missourians will be
shown. What is the plan and how
does it work :? In the organization
of a cooperative creamery no one
put a farmer can have any stock or
interest in the business. No divi-
dend can be declared on the stock and
no profits can be made off the far
mer. No stock can be sold or trans
ferred for the purpose of profit. 1t
is and must remain a farmers CO.
operative association, for the benefit
OF the farmers only. Enough far
mers must go into the association to
insure as many as 600 cows. For in
stance, a hundred farmers with six
cows each; but, any farmer can fur
nlsh as many or as few as he likes
1t WIN require about $4,000 to build
and equip the creamery. The mem
bers of the association viii be re-
quired to take the stock, say 100 far
mers with 800 worth of stock each.
But they will not be asked TO put up
any money. The banks will furnish
the money, and it can be paid back out
of the cream sold, and when the stock
is all paid for, the members get the
highest price for their product, with
out any profit to anyone except them
selves. In other words, they run
their own business. Within IL months
we will have good roads and trucks and
wagons can gather up the cream and
4 IN In
munity, say there. are six farmers,
they can alternate, each bringing the
cFegm one day in the week. On most
of the small farms the good women
and the small boys can run the dairy
business just like they now conduct
the poultry business. 1t will mean
just that much additional revenue in
the family. Let the farmers become
aroused to their own interest. Don't
wait for the other fellow to take the
lead. Don't let low prices discourage
you. There viii always be a demand
and a profitable market for dairy pro
ducts. Millions of people are hud-
died in the cities and they are using
more milk products and less meats.
The destruction of the saloon has
greatly increased the consumption of
milk. Think of the ice cream and
milk drinks now served at the drug
stores and soda fountains.
This article will be followed by
others of a similar character, and we
ask te farmers to think seriously
of the proposition. These are hard
times for the farmer, and we need to-
do something. Use your heads as
well as your hands. Agitate, cogi-
tate, educate.
The above article was contributed
by Judge J. M. Gardenhire, whose
district embraces counties where the