65 



agriculture is the basis of the wealth of this nation, the produc- 

 ers of wealth is the only class not thoroughly organized. When 

 the farmer goes into the markets to buy the necessaries of life, 

 he meets combinations controlling the price of coal, sugar, coffee, 

 petroleum, lumber and even the circulating medium in the form 

 of money, as the instrument by which he pays. Add to these 

 the increased cost of high tariff duties, and compare them with 

 existing prices for farm produce. When he goes into the mar- 

 ket to dispose of the results of his labor, he is again confronted 

 by capital combined against him in the form of elevator rings, 

 grain buyers' associations, the stock yard monopoly, board of 

 trade gamblers, railroad discriminations and grievous extortions 

 by railroad management generally. Unless the producers exert 

 themselves in their own behalf in demanding their rights, who 

 will do it for them? 



While capital is combining for the purpose of taking undue ad- 

 vantage of the productive classes, is it not proper that the produc- 

 ers combine for self-preservation and mutual protection? Is it not 

 possible for the dairymen to join the organized forces of pro- 

 ductive industry and find a market for their dairy products 

 through other channels of trade than those in contact with the 

 bogus materials now so deceptive to consumers and disastrous to 

 the dairy interest? 



Milton George, Publisher The Western Rural, Chicago. 



Music— "Sailing"— Solo; by Miss Fern C. Frazer. 



WOMEN'S RIGHTS ON THE FARM. 



Mrs. Vena Mackay Beede, Chad wick, 111. : 



We suppose the men grow sort of tired of this cry of Wo- 

 man's Rights, but then, if they would stop one moment to think, 

 they must see that women have rights to be looked after just as 

 well as men. We women do not object to men looking after 

 their rights, and what is more we lend a helping hand. 



