2098 Farm Bureau Circitlar No. 5 



bureau constitute the executive committee and are empowered to transact 

 the business of the bureau. Three members of this committee constitute 

 a quorum. 



Through the executive committee, the services of the present farm 

 bureau manager, E. H. Anderson, were engaged, and the local farm bureau 

 office was opened in the rooms of the board of trade at Lockport, on 

 March i, 19 13. 



The farm bureau movement in Niagara County from the beginning 

 has had in view several lines of work, as indicated in the constitution 

 and by-laws. Its object as set forth is as follows: " To develop the 

 agricultural resources, and to foster the best commercial, social, and 

 material interests of the county." This purpose is to be carried out 

 in the following ways: 



1. By federating the agricultural interests of the county. In this 

 county there are several well-organized agricultural societies, all working 

 independently of one another toward the betterment of agriculture in 

 the county. By furnishing a means whereby the granges, the farmers' 

 club, the county fair association, and other agricultural interests can 

 be brought to work together for certain definite objects, the farm bureau 

 can be of great service. 



2. By the developing of natural resources and the adapting of crops 

 to local economic conditions. Among these may be mentioned the 

 utilization of the local supply of limestone for agricultural purposes; 

 the growing of a standard variety of wheat that may be used by the 

 Shredded Wheat Company; the drainage of large areas of land by com- 

 munity ditches; and others. The farm bureau is endeavoring to further 

 such development. 



3. By aiding in the organization of cooperative associations for the 

 purchase of farm supplies and for the packing and the marketing of fruit. 

 In this county the cost of producing a barrel of apples is at least fifty 

 cents more than it was ten years ago. The return per barrel has not 

 increased in proportion to the cost of production. It is part of the work 

 of the bureau to point out the way whereby the growers can organize 

 to purchase their supplies at wholesale prices and to sell their produce 

 at the highest market prices. 



4. By demonstrating better methods of farm practice and farm manage- 

 ment. On nearly every farm, improvement can be made in farm practice 

 methods, in more profitable use of forage and cover crops, in better dis- 

 tribution of horse and man labor, and in better adaptation of crops to soils. 

 It is the purpose of the bureau to bring these better practices to the 

 attention of farmers — for example, the growing of alfalfa and the renova- 

 tion of orchards. 



5. By discussing subjects of general importance to farmers in meetings 

 and through the local papers. Owing to the limited niunber of farmers 

 that can be visited in person, the papers, the granges, and the farmers' 

 club meetings are constantly being used as a means of coming in contact 

 with the farmers of the county. The farm bureau, by keeping in touch 

 with all developments, is in position to offer suggestions, or to sound a 

 warning to hundreds of farmers through the papers and by use of the 

 mail. 



