1288 New York State Agricultural Society 



caused the cotton growers to lose $425,000,000 in the short space 

 of six months, because they should have received practically the 

 same price per pound for both crops. 



Our whole system of production and marketing needs revision, 

 but I do not see how proper and protective methods can be intro- 

 duced and put into practical eflfect until a system of rural finance 

 has been worked out which will enable the farmers to cultivate 

 their crops at a minimum of expense and then hold and market 

 them only as they are required for consumption in the legitimate 

 channels of trade. 



EFFECT OF NEW SYSTEM 



If this commission should be able, after a thorough investigation 

 of the European banking systems, to devise practical plans for 

 meeting the requirements for an abundant supply of ready money 

 for producing and marketing our farm products, they will succeed 

 in lifting the yoke from American farmers and lay the founda- 

 tion for a revival in the interest of agriculture which is essential 

 in working out a scheme for the right kind of progress among our 

 rural population. 



There can be no general thrift or progress in agriculture that is 

 based largely upon tenantry. We must encourage the ownership 

 of small farms by small landlords, and follow that up by develop- 

 ing a practical system of financing the small farmer, as well as 

 the large landowner, and encouraging his active cooperation in 

 the matter of marketing his farm products so that the result of 

 his labor will bring to him and his family a higher measure of 

 satisfaction and a richer rcAvard in the future than has been 

 realized in the past. 



When we have placed the dynamic dollar in the hands of the 

 farmers and presented a medium through which they will be the 

 masters, in the marketing of their farm products, in place of 

 being the slaves to the buying world, then will the farm become 

 the mecca of present and future generations which are now seeking 

 the more attractive influences of the town and city. The poverty 

 and congestion of city population should be relieved by a life of 

 freedom and peaceful contentment in the country. 



