company did not take to that arrangement at first, but since 

 all the lines have been hooked together in this part of the 

 country, and since the Valley has become electricity-minded, 

 it finds that it is good business. Of course, the most impor- 

 tant thing was the reduction in rates. It seems that every 

 drop in rates turned out to be a good thing for all con- 

 cerned for the power company and dealers in electrical 

 equipment as well as the consumers. 



When you reach the Center you will find an interesting 

 and unusual community. It is a small, unincorporated 

 village, made up of half a dozen little factories, two or three 

 retail stores, and 25 or 30 houses. Most visitors are sur- 

 prised that such a small -community has so many little 

 factories. But their establishment seemed to be a natural 

 development after plenty of cheap power was available and 

 the farmers were raising a greater variety of crops. The 

 farmers were largely responsible for these factories because 

 in carrying out their farm improvement program they dis- 

 covered how much could be accomplished by working to- 

 gether. The small factories now give an outlet for some 

 farm products, regular work for some of the people, and part- 

 time work for a larger number. Of course the little lumber 

 mill, the creamery, and the blacksmith shop, more like a 

 little machine shop now, are enterprises which had disap- 

 peared and have returned. Unlike the old-fashioned grist- 

 mill which made ordinary white flour, the new mill makes a 

 very special whole-wheat flour and does not compete with 

 the big mills in the cities. It has its own brand name, and 

 has a market for all it can produce. This is also the case 

 with the fruit and jam factory. A visit to this plant will 

 convince you that the canned fruit, jam, spiced pickles, and 

 apple butter are as near home-made as can be found. Like- 

 wise, the little factory that makes sausages and pressed 

 meats has its own brand names and distributes its products 

 in the nearby cities, and also sells by mail order. The market 

 readily absorbs the entire output because of the high stand- 

 ards of quality maintained by the workers. Every bit of the 

 raw material is raised in the Valley, and is of the best. 



81 



