Proceedings of tue Farmers' Club. 457 



soils, sixty feet may answer. A fiill of three inches in a 100 feet 

 is all that is absolutely necessary, and this can be secured in almost 

 any iield, however level it may appear to the eye. Above all things 

 don't have the outlet higher than the other part. 



Markkting of Farm Produce. 



Mr. T. Copeland, of West Dedham, Mass. — In the Kew York 

 papers I notice an article on the low prices of farm produce received 

 by the farmers on Long Island ; the same complaint holds good in 

 all other parts of the country. The farmer as a general thing, is the 

 hardest worked and poorest paid of any class in the community. 

 "Why is this, and how long will it continue? 



It is so because of the law of monopoly as made and kept up in 

 all cities and large towns, and will continue until a radical change is 

 made in regard to these laws regulating buying and selling. In 

 Boston, and I suppose it is the same pretty much everywhere, the 

 producer carrying his load of vegetables to the cit}', unless he has 

 an interest in some stall in our markets, is compelled to take just 

 such prices as stallmen or middlemen will pay for his produce. If 

 he stops and tries to sell his w^ares outside of such monopoly, he is 

 politely waited on by Mr. Policeman, and ordered to decamp or 

 attend the police court; and pay a heavy fine for breaking city 

 ordinances, and for what? Because, forsooth, he is trying to get pay 

 enough for his goods to get back a new dollar for an old one, and 

 give the consumer a chance to procure frest vegetables at reasonable 

 prices. A great sin this, surely ; and this in republican America I 



Why, in Quincy market, lessees of stalls pay fabulous prices and 

 bonuses for the chance to get into the great monopoly. ISTow, in 

 many places on the continent, I cannot say it is so in all, the market 

 is free for all to bring in their wares, and sell for themselves, thus 

 opening up healthy competition, and enabling both producer and 

 consumer to be benefited. 



I have sufi'ered from these unjust regulations, and have known 

 many others Avho have. Now this will continue until in all cities 

 and towns the free raarket system is established. 



It is time the community wakened up to their interests and agi- 

 tated, and continued the agitation, until mayors, aldermen, council- 

 men, and all the dear office-seeking community find they can't be 

 treated to their favorite seats unless pledged to agitate reform, and 

 work and clamor for the free market svstcni. 



