MARKETS AND MARKETING 267 



produce and exchange. They also furnish leadership 

 in organization movements as was well illustrated in 

 the New York milk strike. 



The other side of the rural trade is represented by 

 the purchase of supplies for the farmer. Of these he 

 is a heavy user and the annual volume of business 

 in these lines is tremendous. Feeds, fertilizer, 

 machinery, twine, household supplies, seeds, lumber, 

 hardware, and a 'great many other things are used 

 by the farmer. Normally he is a small business 

 man, and, therefore, buys in relatively small lots, 

 often on credit and at a high price. The concentra- 

 tion of his buying, as well as of his selling, brings 

 profitable results. Farmers have been inclined to 

 combine to purchase supplies and there are several 

 buying organizations of farmers where there is one 

 for selling. Perhaps the steps to action appear more 

 simple and the profits more immediate and direct. 



The agency that has done the largest business in 

 this line is the Grange. The function of purchasing 

 supplies for its members has from the inception of the 

 organization been a prominent one. This has been 

 effective only in the local centers and was without 

 other help. Sometimes stores are operated and in a 

 large number of the local granges supplies have long 

 been purchased on collective order handled by a 

 member. Frequently this was handled by a member 

 without compensation which entailed an unfair bur- 

 den, and is conducive of a general looseness in doing 

 business, and may result in its early discontinuance. 



