THE LEVER ACT 



and home demonstration agents at that stage of advancement 

 to realize what a large part they must eventually have in the 

 standardization and marketing of farm products; both by 

 individuals and groups. In recent years there have been 

 many successful examples of the marketing of cattle, hogs, 

 sheep and poultry, and various farm crops in carload lots. 

 It takes a long time to impress lessons of standardization. 

 After that is done and after the general principles of market- 

 ing have been worked out and announced, the county agents, 

 both men and women, will be able to have large influence in 

 guiding and aiding the people to a more systematic and 

 successful sale of their products and purchasing of their sup- 

 plies. In fact, some of these field workers, who have been 

 squarely up against the problem, have worked out their 

 standardization and marketing problems for themselves. 

 When distribution difficulties are finally met and overcome 

 it will be found that the extension workers have had a large 

 share in the operation. Consumers and producers will profit 

 thereby. The fact remains, however, that this country had 

 not seen the possibilities along this line when the debate on 

 the Lever Bill was in progress in the halls of Congress. Con- 

 gressional foresight is evidenced by the following extract from 

 the speech of Representative Adair of Indiana: 



"To teach the fanners the best methods of increasing production 

 is exceedingly important, but not more so than is the importance of 

 teaching him the best and most economical methods of distribution. 

 It is not enough to teach him how to grow bigger crops. He must be 

 taught how to get the true value for these bigger crops, else Congress 

 will be put in the attitude of regarding the work of the farmer as a 

 kind of philanthropy. The itinerant teacher or demonstrator will be 

 expected to give as much thought to the economic side of agriculture 

 — the marketing, standardizing, and grading of farm products — as 

 he gives to the matter of larger acreage yields. He is to assume 

 leadership in every movement, whatever it may be, the aim of which 



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