The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1922-06-01
THE DRIFT AWAY
FROM THE FARM

From THE FARM
by T. F. Peck, Commissioner of
Agricultural
Il the farmers were getting what
they should receive of the price paid
Dv consumers for farm products they
could be prospecting. They could
provide attractive homes for their
families; they could educate their
children and surround them with CON
venlences that would insure the ma
Iorlty Of them remaining On the
farm But, unfortunately, they are
not getting it, nd each year the
farmer is encountering new handi-
cap9- increased taxes, increased
freight rates, decreased productivity
OF his soil and increased demands
Tor necessary living expenses. Many
farmers are getting discouraged and
leaving the farm, trying to find a
place in some industrial capacity.
where they can hope to increase their
earning power. Some leave the farm
ands succeed. Many more date the
beginning Of their drifting from the
time thev cut loose from the farm.
Our population is constantly in
creasing, They must be fed. The
food must be produced if they eat
Farmers could drift away from the
farms until production would not
meet consumption demands. Indus
trv could not prosper if food could
not be had for those engaged in that
line, or became so scarce and high
priced as to take all the earnings of
those engaged in industry.
The conditions that are driving
people away from the farms should
have the sympathetic interest and
cooperation of all classes in improv-
ing, for all are dependent upon a
productive and profitable agriculture
for their own individual prosperity.
Agriculture is the oldest vocation
known and all other activities grew
out OF the needs of the farmers.
Those engaged in other activities
have developed those activities, have
Kept abreast of progress and have
made their work attractive and prof
table, while with the masses en-
gagged in agriculture a majority have
been content to drift with the tide
and cling to old customs. They have
oeen Indifferent to cooperative eff |
-ort. While some progress has been
made in cultural methods, some i'm
proyement in quality of livestock, |
1erv little has been done in develop
ng the marketing of farm products. |
AS a consequence, when our crops
are harvested we dump them on the |
market all together when the market
S glutted and we pay the penalties
n low prices. The Spectator who
buys when the market is overloaded
S not to blame. We did it ourselves
When we get to the point where we
AN appreciate the value of co-opera-
i've effort. merchandise our product
instead of dumping it on the market,
We will get better prices. For some
line much has been said about CO.
operative selling and buying. People
Who have seriously studied the stu
alton have realized that want of CO.
operative effort was Gripping the
armers and depriving them Of the
prices they should receive.
Farmers purchase a large amount
# fertilizers. Prices for Is per cent.
lcid phosphate this season ranged
rom S11.50 per ton to $25. | have
he record in my office of the sales
md dealers making them. Those
Who bought comparatively saved
rom SIS to $40 per ton on their fer
ilizer. Farmers trying TO market
heir products or purchase their sup
lies single-handed are at a disad-
antage.
The state and federal governments
the importance Of co-opera-
i've marketing and laws have been
assed legalizing it. Progressive
in different sections of
he country have proved the value
f cooperative effort in marketing.
hey also solve numerous other
roblems by working together. When
theirs have successfully pointed the
'ay for a practical solution of our
roblems, the. fault is ours if we do
OF profit by the object lessons.
We will not accomplish anything