Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1917 — FARMERS ASK CO-OPERATION [ARTICLE]

FARMERS ASK CO-OPERATION

What Is Fair for One Is Certainly 1 „ Fair for All. The committee on marketing of home produce met Saturday afternoon with other committees of the Better Farming association to discuss plans to bring about a better home market x for the products of the farms in Jasper county. There Is a country-wide endeavor to increase the food provisions all over the United States, but little has been said in regard to the marketing of such Therefore, the merchants of the county and the farmers should be in closer or better harmony with each other, especially in regard to exchange of goods. The merchant should make every effort to use all home produce that is possible for him to dispose of before having some shipped in from the cities to compete with the fa rm pts* fruits and • produce. We believe the farmers should grade all fruit and vegetables into classes that they might sell according to class, also each article be brought in in good, clean condition. An attractive appearance makes a good sale. Second—There are a great many eatables that could be dried, such as corn, apples; others canned, pickles salted down for future use, •vinegar made, such could be marketed in mid-winter. All kinds of seed saved and sold to the merchant for another spring. A great many winter vegetables put in the cellar and sold during winter to supply the home towns in each vicinity. Such a trade, we believe, can be established in each town if both parties interested will endeavor to do so. Third —Much good will result from it as the farmers will have more money to spend, to buy other goods with and will live better, making a -better business for each. When the merchants buy at home then, and np sooner, can they expect others to buy at home. This is the best way pto kill the mail order business. Fourth—Ridiculing the people through the papers, will only make more mail orders. Now get busy, merchant, and do just what you have been asking the other people to dp and see how it will wors. More co-operation is what we need along these lines. This committee would be pleased to meet in the near future with the commercial club and try and arrange a booming home market which would be a boon for all, as we eliminate freight, express, cartage, drayage, middlemen and jobbers’ profits, which in some instances would equal half the buying price.—By Chairman of Committee of Home Marketing.