■^hc RURAL NEW-')rORKER 
1001 
Northern N. Y. Farmers Speak 
For some weeks past the farmers of Northern New 
York have been chafing under a political propaganda in 
the press, and particularly by the subsidized officials of 
some of their agricultural societies. These farmers re¬ 
sented the treatment of agriculture by Governor Whit¬ 
man, and for that reason refused to encourage his 
aspirations for a third term as Governor in order to 
further his absurd ambition to pose as a candidate for 
President in 1920. These farmers longed for a chance 
to express themselves, and they have now had it! 
Last week at Fulton ,in Oswego County, a large meet¬ 
ing of farmers under the auspices of the Farm Bureau 
met to see a tractor demonstration, but the meeting 
was utilized for the propaganda work by speakers who 
might be expected to speak out boldly for the interests 
of the farm, but who clearly demonstrated that they 
were simply political agents, and doing the work as¬ 
signed them by middlemen and the New York milk 
trust. The feeling among the farmers who listened to 
them in silence was that if their speakers did not know 
that they had sold out they were not safe to be at 
liberty without a guardian. After the meeting these 
speakers had some disagreeable minutes in attempting 
to make explanations and apologies and had to admit 
a lack of information on some of the subjects they at¬ 
tempted to discuss. 
But the farmers had their own innings on Saturday. 
August 10, in a picnic at Oswego Point, on the lake. 
It was held under the auspices of the Dairymen’s 
League, the Grange, the Farm Bureau and the Fed¬ 
eration of Agriculture. The people came from five 
counties in 1,000 automobiles, with wives, children, 
sons, daughters and sweethearts, more than 4,000 strong. 
Q’hey ate and sang and exchanged greetings in the grove 
until one o’clock, and they were in fine mettle for the 
speeches of the day and in high expectation of some¬ 
thing in the line of their own sentiments, and they 
got it. 
The speakers were .John .7. Dillon of New York, Seth 
,T. T. Bush of Morton, and Samuel Fraser of Geneseo. 
Set speeches were evidently abandoned. The audience 
largel.v determined the subjects of discussion, and the 
difficulty of the speakers was to get in their replies 
and sentences between the outbursts of applause. There 
was no question about the sentiment of that vast 
audience. As farmers they have had all the Whitman 
agricultur.al law and administration they want. Mr. 
Whitman’s temperance record also got well aired, and 
the women have begun to realize that a man who per¬ 
sists in preaching temperance while himself making per¬ 
sonal use of strong drink is not exactly their ideal of a 
temperance candidate. One Republican after another 
declared his intention to help defeat Whitman in the 
primary, and failing in that they say they will be 
looking for someone else to vote for in November. 
They look to the Federation of Agriculture to furnish 
the opportunity. Nothing like it has ever before been 
witnessed in this section of the country. 
D. D, Fennell, Jr., of Mexico, president of the local 
section of the Dairymen’s League, presided, and read 
the following resolutions. 
Particular opportunity was given the audience for 
opposition to the resolutions, but none appeared, and 
they were approved with a whoop that echoed through 
the woods. 
“Whereas, political agents of the Whitman adminis¬ 
tration have attempted to prevent the organization of 
farmers for their own educational, social, business and 
political benefit, and 
“Whereas, State moneys secured by farm taxes have 
been used in this propaganda to defeat the best interests 
of farmers and farm organizations, 
“Be it resolved. That we farmers protest against this 
abuse of State money and this official interference with 
farm progress, and further 
“Be it resolved. That we demand that the administra¬ 
tion of our agricultural affairs be taken out of political 
control. 
“Whereas, the Legislature of New York did in 1917 
pass the Witter bill which authorized the Commissioner 
of Agriculture to license and bond milk dealers, and 
“Whereas, Governor Whitman did refuse to sign said 
bill, and 
“Whereas, this year there have been three large and 
disastrous failures of milk dealers involving the loss of 
thousands of dollars to farmers, 
“Resolved, That we ask Governor Whitman his rea¬ 
sons for vetoing said bill and why he opposed the farm¬ 
ers’ interests in this matter.” 
Business Methods of the Dairymen^s 
League 
As an enthusiastic reader of The R. N.-Y”. I was 
considerably impressed by the businesslike methods 
suggested by Mr. Dillon in regard to the management 
of the Dairymen’s League, on page 923. Readers should 
study these suggestions, especially where Mr. Dillon 
emphasizes the importance of the membership having 
•full information of League affairs, and an audit com¬ 
mittee composed of members not officei’s to audit ac¬ 
counts, and tell us in detail just what the money is 
spent for. The members should know just what each 
man costs them. If the contract is that producers must 
pay a rebate for losses on surplus they should know it 
openly and beforehand. When a proposition is made 
to buy old plants on a contract involving millions of 
dollars and tying farmers up for 25 years, I want it 
thoroughly and openly discussed. Now there has been 
some harsh criticism of Mr. Dillon by official represen¬ 
tatives of the Dairymen’s League. Mr. Dillon knows, 
as we ought to know, that the “invisible government” 
recently organized by the officials of the said League 
requires reconstruction and a systematic campaign 
started as a basis for the vast improvements that are 
so absolutely necessary in order to have the Dairymen’s 
League worthy of our future confidence. If reconstruc¬ 
tion of the League management were not necessary The 
R. N.-Y'. and Mr. Dillon would not request Mr. Cooper 
to open debate. I am heart and soul interested in seeing 
the farmers get an honorable and straight deal, also 
interested in seeing gamblers’ tactics obliterated and 
relinquished from legitimate milk busines.s. 
PATRICK E. GAr.r.AGHEB. 
R. N.-Y.—We have received many letters from readers 
expressing agreement with the plan for strengthening 
the League which was printed on page 92.3. No one 
has yet attempted to say that this outline of what the 
League ought to be is not fair and true. Nor has Mr. 
Cooper or any official of the T^eague came forward and 
accepted the challenge to debate these issues openly. 
Some of these officials go about at farm meetings abus¬ 
ing The R. N.-Y. and Mr. Dillon, and trying to break 
down their record, but in no case have they seriously 
discussed the important issues which The R. N.-Y. has 
raised. In several cases farmers in the audience have 
stood up and demanded retraction and the officials have 
been obliged to make it, or admit that they did not know 
what they were talking about. A majority of League 
members are now in favor of the programme outlined 
on page 923 of The R. N.-Y. Every day brings out 
more clearly the fact that The R. N.-Y'. has advancwl 
argument and definite suggestion. The League politi¬ 
cians have made no attempt to answer the argument, 
but simply spend the League’s money in circulating abuse 
and useless personal attacks. 
Question About Grain Supplies 
It has been suggested here that it is unlawful, or at 
least unpatriotic, to seed rye for the purpose of plowing 
under next Spring. What do you think of it, and what 
are the facts? I was glad to read your article, “Feeding 
Wheat to Poultiy.” Few people will feed wheat to 
stock under present shortage, except in such cases as 
mentioned in your article; but the point is that people 
should be kept posted as to just what is what. It seems 
to me that the Government could issue some sort of 
official bulletin to be reprinted in every paper in the 
land. Few country people would intentionally violate 
any regulations or even suggestions made by the Gov¬ 
ernment with reference to food, fuel, etc., but many 
do not understand just what is required of us along 
those lines. At the same time there are dozens of 
stories afloat that the Government requires this and 
that, or does not allow this and the other, until some 
timid folks are almost afraid to breathe. Many of 
these “regulations” are not official at all, but have been 
hatched in the minds of unreliable persons, whether 
with malicious intent or otherwise. Newspaper articles 
are not always reliable, hence the need of official state¬ 
ments issued in such a way that all may read. 
DAVID PRANK. 
We do not consider it in any way unlawful or un¬ 
patriotic to .sow rye for a cover crop, to be plowed 
under. This is one of the best of farm practices. 
The seeding is done cheaply and fertility is saved by 
doing it. Next year you will have either a crop of 
grain to help out the bread supply or green manure 
which will increase other food crops. Seeding rye 
is good practice. Keep it up. You are right in say¬ 
ing that what we need is plain and simple informa¬ 
tion about these “regulations.” Read what is printed 
on page 999. 
The Wool Growers of Delaware Co., N. Y. 
You have seen my policy in the talks in these col¬ 
umns and I have noticed your operations with pleasure. 
This matter of association has been a subject of much 
thought to sheepmen for a long time, but this is the 
first year for it to take definite fonn, and before another 
clip is due we should be prepared to present a solid 
front. 
From my acquaintance with wool growers, it is my 
opinion that they do not need to make apologies either 
for themselves or their occupation, and the strange 
thing is that they have let themselves be so put upon. 
We have made a healthy move to protect ourselves in 
Ohio, but it is a small section of the East. There is no 
doubt that we shall be able to do all that could be ex¬ 
pected of us, but we need help, and plenty of it. New 
York should have a State association for that purpose, 
as well as all the Northeastern States, and we wish, 
since you have made a start for yourselves, that you 
would carry it on State-wide. 
What is said above applies to every other section, 
in all the States. We have sinned away our time in 
the past and permitted conditions that will require uni¬ 
versal help to remove. For personal, patriotic and 
national reasons we must put the sheep industry on a 
solid foundation. The specific for that purpose is per¬ 
manent profit, only to be had by intelligent union of 
all growers in the East. There should be unions in 
each State, and then an association of all of them. 
This is the turning point. We have awakened, and 
now will we go to sleep again and let past conditions 
prevail, or will we unite and put flocks all over the 
hills and scatter bunches over all the level country? 
Shall we feel encouraged, enthused and paid so that 
every traveler by train and automobile will stop re¬ 
marking the scarcity of sheep in all the sections so well 
adapted to them? w, w. Reynolds. 
Ohio. 
From Share Farmer to Manager 
Can You Advise Me in My Trouble 
I have two boys and one girl; one boy and the girl, 12 
and 15 years, respectively, are just ready for high 
school, from which we are distant eight miles. I am 
working a farm on shares, “halves,” of 120 acres. It 
has been a hay and grain farm, but for 10 years I have 
been trying to turn it into a live stock farm with very 
poor cows to start with, and not very good sires. The 
farm is not very well watered and the market for milk 
is the local cheese factory. I have always had hopes 
of having some good purebred Holsteins, but they cost 
so much that I have not been able to buy, and to keep 
the family on half produce, pay some debts and buy 
cows is too slow. I love farming, have worked a farm 
for myself for 12 years, been here 10, and I also love 
good stock of any kind, horses, cattle or swine, and 
have a good knowledge of breeding, also general farm¬ 
ing, soils and clovers and manure, which I believe is 
the foundation of all agriculture. Shall I stay here on 
shares or sell out when stock and farming tools are 
high (I own half stock and sows, and all the horses, 
three, and all tools), and get a position as superintend¬ 
ent or manager of a large farm or estate? Do you think 
my practical knowledge will warrant such a step? How 
m.uch technical knowledge should one have? Then I 
could get near school and certainly make more money, 
jirovided I make good. I am not afraid of work or long 
hours, as I have done all my work here alone with my 
wife. s. . 
During the year we have many letters like the 
above, and we regret our inability to an.swer them 
definitely, because we know how much they mean. 
No stranger should try to settle such a case, because 
it involves a personality which must always be con¬ 
sidered. A man may have full knowledge of practi¬ 
cal farming and be a hard and willing worker, yet 
he may lack judgment or tact, or have a disagreeable 
disposition which prevents him from succeeding with 
others. Sometimes the wife does not use good judg¬ 
ment—there are many personal things which ought 
to be known before one would be justified in giving 
advice which would mean changing a home. Gener¬ 
ally speaking, this is a good time to change from 
farming on shares to working out. Wages for com¬ 
petent managers are high and will be higher as the 
new draft law is enforced. It is also a good time 
to sell stock and -tools, as such things will bring good 
prices. By making .such a change now S. can turn 
his property into money for investment, and probably 
find a place where he can make good wages and be 
near to .schools for his children. After working a 
few years he ought to acquire capital enough to 
invest in a farm of his own. After the war we 
believe farming in the East will be more popular 
and that there will be a good chance on a farm. 
That is one favorable side of the case. On the other 
hand S. may not be at all suited to act as “man¬ 
ager.” In many cases practical knowledge does not 
count in these jobs as much as the ability to handle 
men and satisfy the whims of the owner. Mo.st 
“managers’’ could easily tell “a tale of woe” if they 
cared to. After a man has worked for himself for 
some years it comes haitl to work for others, es¬ 
pecially when the boss does not know much about 
it and takes advice from everyone. S. might sell 
his stock and give up his home only to find himself 
in a job not suited to his ability or liking—or he 
might greatly better himself by making the change. 
Thus it is the man—and the woman—as much as 
anything, and in giving advice their disposition and 
ability must be considered. 
Testing Grain Separators 
The Food Administration suggests a sort of Babcock 
test for grain separators as follows: 
“The test is made by directing the straw blower 
against a blanket, sheet or canvas during the time the 
weighing device trips five times, recording 21/2 bushels. 
If over one pint of wheat is winnowed from the straw 
on the canvas, bad work is indicated. One and one-half 
pints indicates a loss of 1 per cent. If over three 
pints is found—which means a 2 per cent loss—reason¬ 
able time should be given to correct the bad operation 
and a second test.” 
No one has any business to waste gram this year, 
either through a leaky separator or a wagon with an 
open bottom. 
Up-State Farm Notes 
EXTREME HEAT WAVE.—The hottest weather in 
seven vears has visited the entire State this week. 
Local showers with high winds and electrical displays 
have caused considerable damage in sections, r our 
miles south of Ithaca, near Enfield, a severe wind and 
hail.storm leveled trees and crops over quite an area, 
burning three barns with hay, grain and some live stock. 
Haying is not.yet finished in a few localities. Gram is 
fast going under cover and thrashers are busy. 
SEED POTATOES.—White sprout potatoes free 
from all disea.se and from all intermixture of varieties 
are in great demand by Long Island potato gi-owers. 
They have made several trips through the central and 
northern parts of the State, sending delegates by auto¬ 
mobile to inspect the fields. They report Cortland 
growers’ fields to be in better condition than any they 
have recently visited. It pays to grow pure seed free 
from disease. Spray it systematically and have the 
Farm Bureau and State potato specialists inspect them 
at intervals through the season, that they may be sold 
as certified seed at a considerable advance in price over 
potatoes grown merely for eating. 
LOAN APPRAISERS BUSY.—Onondaga farmers 
have received over $100,000 in loans from the Federal 
Farm Loan Board, and more is expected soon. The 
appraisers report applications for over $252,000. The 
work of field appraising will continue for four months, 
but will be suspended through the Winter months, as 
conditions make such work impossible then. All farmers 
desiring loans are requested by the board to file their 
applications as early as possible. 
DITCHERS BUSY.—With the rush of haying over 
the State ditching machines are doing gootl work at 
draining wet lands. These machines are proving their 
very real worth, and the fact that cooperative or State 
ownership is the ideal way of solving ditching problems. 
They are too expensive for individual ownership, and 
the need for them is of too short duration to make per¬ 
manent ownership practical. M. c. F. 
