no 



Mrs. Smith: The point of view presented just now was exceedingly 

 interesting, especially as it is suited to the city man who needs broader 

 points of view on the farm question. As you know yourselves, nobody but 

 a man who is used to farming and handling farms all the time can very 

 often work out these problems regarding the farm. 



We have got some farmers here today, and I would like to ask them 

 what they think of the Six County Farmers' Exchange that Mr. Ross 

 spoke about. We have a few moments for discussion, and I would like to 

 hear some of the farmers say a word on the need of ^'buying-associations" 

 in farm districts. We have got some men here who are actual farmers, 

 who know all about the ins and outs of farming. I would like to hear from 

 those gentlemen. What do they think — that the farmers need to get 

 together on the buying proposition? 



Dr. J. Russell Smith: I cannot pose as an expert farmer, but I 

 happened to get to a place where the Six County Farmers' Association was 

 doing business. I wanted to get some beans and I wanted about eight 

 bushels. I did not know what kind I needed and I did not know where to 

 buy them. I asked them to tell me what kind and where to buy them. I 

 signed a slip, paid a quarter, got good beans and I saved about two dollars 

 on the transaction besides the saving of time. It was a very profitable 

 transaction to me. 



Mrs. Garrett: I am not a farmer. My husband, who is a farmer, 

 has gone out and I wish he were here to tell you this. I wish somebody 

 had bought our alfalfa seed last summer. I think if we had advertised 

 through the farm bureau, it would have been a very good thing for the 

 Garrett family. 



Mrs. Smith: I understood that the farmers all over the state can join 

 and that arrangement can be made whereby carloads of fertilizers and seeds 

 can come to our local districts. 



Mr. Ross: It is all a wholesale business, no matter what we order. 

 There are two advantages : in the first place, by getting enough to buy in 

 carload lots you get the carload rate; in the second place, when you buy 

 them they are all shipped together. Where a number of neighbors get 

 together, one man can go and bring it all back instead of all of them. 



Mrs. Garrett: Can we get lime from your organization? 



Mr. Ross: In Chester County they have their own lime. 



Mrs. Smith : The lime as a community proposition is one of the things 

 we hope to take up at the meeting, because it is a question of development 

 and transportation. Mr. Prouty, of the Interstate Commerce Commission, 

 was to speak on that question, but the sudden death of a member of the 

 Commission placed added duties of the Commerce Commission on him, 

 and he could not get away from Washington. I am very sorry. 



