No. 4.] RIGHTS OF THE PRODUCER. 103 



the end of the chapter; and in this path lies one approach 

 to the consumer's door. 



To reach this a campaign of education will be necessary to 

 fix the lesson and make certain the benefits of organized 

 efl:"orts in disposal of farm prodiu3ts. Confidence is a plant 

 of slow growth, but its cultivation is to-day one of the neces- 

 sities. When the time comes that positive steps are taken 

 in co-operative work additional benefits will be realized. The 

 farmer is a buyer as well as a seller, and to touch directly the 

 base of supplies and lowest cost prices necessitates the same 

 organized movement as in selling. Almost limitless is the 

 field suggested; yet it may be occupied by the farmers of 

 any given locality with certainty of financial returns to 

 every one. Are we ready for the forward movement ? 



The answer must be No, for Xew England farmers have 

 not yet felt the force of adverse circumstances sufficiently to 

 awaken to the necessity for action and put behind them their 

 personal liberty. Here and there the seed may be sown, and 

 local fruit or produce associations formed and made effective. 

 Beyond this there will first be demanded the frank, open 

 discussion of the problem as it relates to the individual man 

 or locality, until sympathy is created, interest aroused and 

 definite action insured. 



But, says one, you are introducing complicated problems, 

 and it is true ; but tell me, friends, which way you can face 

 to-day and not meet others as complex. We lose because we 

 take counsel with our fears. I want to press home one 

 thought right here, that I care not how complex or multi- 

 plied these problems may be, there is one fact to which we 

 must cling. That man who thinks as he works will solve 

 every problem. Xo man has so good an opportunity for con- 

 secutive, conservative thought as the farmer. If, as he toils, 

 he will but think, the way will open for intelligent action 

 and necessary steps will be taken. 



AVhat was true of California has since been demonstrated 

 true of Oregon and Washington ; of the fruit growers of Del- 

 aware, Virginia, Georgia or Florida and the truck farmers 

 of the south. Out of their very necessities they were forced 

 to imite for protection, and in thus shipping, diverting, han- 



