484 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



this year the plans were launched. Resolutions were adopted in- 

 viting all state farmers' organizations to participate in a general 

 organization, having for its object the direct exchange of farm 

 products between producer and consumer. A president and vice- 

 president, both farmers, were elected with power to complete the 

 details sufficient to put the exchange on its feet. These officers 

 hired a secretary on a commission basis, with the idea of thus 

 stimulating his best efforts to push the work of the exchange. L. 

 M. Drumm was selected. He is a graduate of the Missouri College 

 of Agriculture, and although a young man, has had quite a wide 

 field of experience in the business world. 



The active work began February first and up to date one hun- 

 dred members have been enrolled. 



The organization has been concerned in the exchange of 

 $2,000 worth of farm products. The business is handled about as 

 follows: Anything a member (a farmer) has for sale that a 

 member might want will be handled. For example, a member liv- 

 ing in Northeast Missouri has timothy seed for sale. He lists the 

 amount, describing it carefully and stating the price F. 0. B., his 

 shipping point. The secretary lists this "for sale" with the under- 

 standing that if he sends the seller a buyer, the former, the seller, 

 will pay the exchange a small commission. 



Now, some one in Central Missouri writes the secretary for 

 timothy seed. His duty is simply to refer the one to the other. 

 After the sale is made the seller sends the secretary the proper 

 commission. Nothing could be more simple, more direct, more 

 efficient and more satisfactory. The seller is directly responsible 

 to the buyer; they make their own terms and conditions; all 

 middlemen are cut out and but one transportation charge is made. 

 The fee of the secretary is so small that it would not make a small 

 fraction of the charges made by one middleman who has city rents, 

 warehouse charges and a corps of workers to pay, to say nothing of 

 his living and profits. 



The success of this movement will depend largely upon the 

 honest dealing between the farmers. If Southeast Missouri cowpea 

 seed growers will honestly grade, fan and label their cowpeas, they 

 can add from 25 per cent to 50 per cent to the price they have been 

 receiving and save the consumer in Central and Northern Missouri 

 as much. This not only applies to seeds but all kinds of crops and 

 stock as well as farms, and also a medium for getting help for 

 farmers and finding employment for those seeking it — in short, 

 "anything the farmer wants that the farmer has." 



