HINDRANCES 53 



etables unless barriers of transportation and 

 marketing be removed, but with those hindrances 

 brushed away there is a market for all the fruits 

 and vegetables produced upon our farms at prices 

 that compensate the grower. 



In the matter of the buying of goods, there is 

 a hindrance to the business of farming worthy of 

 a most serious consideration. 



The author does not question the right of any 

 farmer to buy goods in the cheapest market, but 

 he does deplore the fact that so many farmers pur- 

 chase so much of their groceries, furniture and 

 other necessities, through the mail order houses. 

 We should not forget that it is the home merchant 

 that purchases much, if not all, of our produce, and 

 bears the greater burden of taxation which gives 

 us the protection of society and better highways ; 

 in fine, every improvement that benefits the 

 farmer. He builds our cities and gives us the 

 markets that enhance the value of our lands, and 

 in many instances gives us the accommodation of 

 credit. And to forget him, and not to purchase 

 his wares, especially when in nine cases out of ten, 

 he gives us better goods at the same prices charged 

 by the mail order houses, is ingratitude, and in- 

 gratitude is the basest of sins. 



As members of society we must ' ' give and take. ' ' 

 We give up certain of our liberties that the re- 

 mainder may be the better protected. Our very 

 natures are such that we must ever have the re- 

 straining hand of law over us. This makes nec- 

 essary the existence of a government, and this 

 government must extend to every community, and 

 under our system has resulted in a state of exist- 



