The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-29
ONE CROP GAMBLERS.


The campaign which Thad C. Car
yer, president of the Kansas Bank
ers' association, has started for
diversified farming in Kansas is like
ly to bring some valuable returns to
the state. ~OR former occasions the
state board of agriculture has urged
a similar program. Now with an evil
dence of genuine and earnest Coz
operation from the money lenders, it
looks as tho real results are to be. at
tanned.
President Carver has expressed the
sentiments of many of the states
most successful farmers and the opin-
ion which prevailed among many land
owners who were not actively engaged
in the production of crops. Carver
has declared that the success OF farm
ing in Kansas isn't to come thru fran
tic efforts for Utopian legislation nor
the distribution of a few box cars.
Farm prosperity, the Pratt banker as
serts, will come only when the farmer
works out his own problem and quits
gambling his years prosperity on the
success or failure of a single crop.
In Kansas, Carver points out, many
farmers rely entirely on their wheat
crop. Three of the twelve months of
each year are spent in preparing the
soil, planting, harvesting and thresh-
ing Of the crop. For nine months
thousands of farmers virtually gam
BILE that weather conditions will be
perfect, labor cheap and plentiful,
transportation facilities prompt and
markets high. OF course they don't
always win But each year the gam
BILE goes on-a gamble of a feast or
famine in the home or In the COM
munity. 1t is a gamble on payment
or renewal of the mortgage on the
farm, payment of the note in the
bank, a new motor car or college
| for the children. And because there
is no alternative the community and
the home town banker gamble with
the one crop producer.
If there is a big crop year and
prices are high, the merchant is paid
for the machinery he sold last fall or
spring. The town haberdasher and
the community emporiums of female
style and fancy rush their orders to
the market center only when the crop
is assured.
The whole system is reflected In
every line of trade and industry
And the community banker, with his
finger always on the pulse Of his GUS
toners, getS\ the first reaction in the
tragic spin of the one crop wheel.
in breaking up the one crop policy.
They will urge the farmers to get into
the dairy business a bit. raise a few
hogs, maybe a few sheep, get some
feeder stuff, possibly raise a few
mules-above all and where condi-
tons are favorable. \ diversity this
crops.
Don't bet it all on one crop" may
be rather popular slogan in Kan
sas. And the campaign may do lot
to bring a new prosperity and a new
peace and contentment to rural life in
this state,
Farmers are generally overfed on
suggestions from the town crop ex-
perts. They have been furnishing
shoulders for the politicians to sleb-
Der on for good many years. Most
of the time it hasn't meant much
more than just idle chin music.
But the banker can talk turkey
with the farmers in his community.
And the farmer is likely to listen.
Already 1t is quite certain that Car
yer in his effort to break up the one
crop plan will have the cooperation
both of the state agricultural depart
ment and the states most successful
farmers who learned the lesson thru
experience.