482 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



the purpose of having prosperity for themselves so that others may have 

 it, they can accomplish wonders in this country. 



Second, we owe it to the producer as well as to the consumer to gather 

 definite information as to the various kinds of foodstuffs produced each 

 year, not by estimates, but by actual figures. If we had a system of re- 

 ports so that we would know, say, in June, the number of acres that were 

 planted, and then in December or January the actual production, and 

 carry that on over a few years, then the farmer would be able to say 

 whether he should increase production of this line next year or not. In 

 other words what we must do is to re-establish the law of supply and de- 

 mand, and if we can do that we can very largely solve this problem. 



The growth of commercialized farming has increased the distance from 

 producer to consumer. I can remember when we depended very largely 

 upon the local market for our eggs and our butter, but that has changed 

 This calls for a type of marketing organization unknown in the past. In 

 former days the farmer was familiar with the demands of his local mar- 

 ket and planted accordingly. But now, with the extended market, it is 

 beyond his power to know, so he is much in the dark as to what to plant 

 and where to sell. 



What I would like to see done in this country is to gather the informa- 

 tion so that you would know, and when you have the information then 

 you can act. That is what the fellow on the Chicago Board of Trade does. 

 He has his reporters out and gets the information and gets it quick. He 

 is always just one step ahead of you, and is organized too. He spends 

 his money for that very thing and, as your president so well said, you 

 must spend some to make some in your own business. 



As the farm has been organized in the past for increased production, 

 the farmer should now be organized for increased opportunities and fa- 

 cilities for marketing. Various attempts have been made along this line, 

 but most of them have been wide of the mark. The average individual 

 has a preconceived notion that a political organization of some kind or 

 nature can accomplish the purpose. The bankers are organized, also the 

 manufacturers and laborers. If you watch the bankers' organization you 

 may get some pointers. In their organization you will see a democrat and 

 a republican sitting right alongside of each other in their conferences, 

 and they conduct business from a business standpoint, not a party stand- 

 point. The success of the farm bureau in the county, the state, and in 

 the nation will be in keeping away from party politics of any kind or 

 character. Stick to your knitting if you expect to get the garment fin- 

 ished. You are in a position to accomplish wonders for yourselves and 

 for your country. 



Just one other word in closing: I am firm of the opinion that the 

 establishment of this country was divinely guided. The Declaration of 

 Independence and Constitution were inspired, for they were written by 

 noble men. The keynote of our government is individuality, INDIVID- 

 UALITY! We have a government here the like of which does not exist 

 anywhere else in the world, and it differs from others in this — that the 

 whole revolves around the individual. There are certain rights that are 

 guaranteed to you as a citizen of this country that the majority cannot 



