DAIRY MEETING. 167 



the Stock was sold for, less the expense of sending it to the 

 market. This in my estimation is the very foundation of mar- 

 keting for the farmer. In this way he gets as near the market 

 as it is possible under present conditions. 



There is a movement that has gained considerable headway 

 in New York and other large cities in the way of the consumers' 

 cooperative stores, and these stores propose to buy direct from 

 the producer. Even if they do buy direct it is doubtful if 

 higher prices can be obtained from them than can be obtained 

 from the dealers who sell the grocers. 



The selling of the product of the farm is only one part of 

 the benefits that the farmers will secure through organization. 

 As a rule the farmer gives more attention to selling than to 

 buying and on this account thousands of dollars are being paid 

 out every year that can be saved through organizing. The 

 Farmers' Union is now buying grain, flour and stable goods and 

 soon will be furnishing the exchanges with practically every- 

 thing required at wholesale prices. The rural problem which 

 interests our government, our colleges and many public spirited 

 citizens will never be solved by these agencies. 



The future of the farmer rests with him and him only. The 

 American farmer is not a serf. He must have adequate re- 

 muneration for his labor. The popular cry, "Back to the farm!" 

 will prove a passing hobby unless it can be demonstrated that 

 farming is not only a profitable occupation, but that the farmer 

 can be surrounded by the comforts and conveniences of modern 

 Hfe. 



The individual farmer may study scientific methods of farm- 

 ing with pleasure and profit, but the vital question of marketing 

 must be solved, if solved at all, by the cooperation of individ- 

 uals. 



