fht RURAL NEW.YORKER 
385 
A Study of Farmers’ Week, 1921 
GROWTH OF INTEREST—"Well, what do you 
think of Farmers’ Week?” A dozen men asked me the 
question, and no dozen men ran answer it. When all 
have done, much will be left unsaid. On all sides one 
heard expressions of satisfaction and appreciation. 
Farmers’ Week is a success. The farmers of New York 
have made it so; that is, the farmers and their wives, 
their sons and daughters. I never saw a Farmers’ 
Week at which so many women were present, and I 
have attended Farmers’ Week ever since it began to be, 
and, beginning nearly 20 years ago, I attended the meet¬ 
ings of the Experimenters’ League. Farmers’ Week is 
the development of the Experimenters’ League. Twenty 
years ago perhaps 20 to 40 men would meet the pro¬ 
fessors of agriculture, horticulture, chemistry and their 
confreres, and all would sit down for the major por¬ 
tion of a day to discuss the agricultural experimental 
work done the previous year, and decide what extension 
experimental work should be carried on in the current 
season. Today the same thing is going on at Farmers’ 
Week; the representatives of the various County Farm 
Bureaus, their agents and the assistants to the agents, 
and the representatives of the Home Bureaus and their 
officers, constitute a large body of the representation at 
Farmers’ Week, and these men and women do a lot of 
work. This work of arranging, discussing and planning 
often takes two or three days, during which time little 
else is done by them. 
REPRESENTATIVE WORKERS.—But these are 
not the only ones present; there are men and women 
representative of every agricultural, horticultural and 
florieultura! organization in the State, and Farmers’ 
Week is recognized by many of these as the best time to 
meet to discuss their business problems, and to hear an 
address or two upon some important phase of their 
work. The workers in the rural church, the rural 
school, the home, are all likewise represented. Repre¬ 
sentatives of the leading Indian nations of New York, 
both men and women, were present in considerable num¬ 
bers, and a party of them took part in a small Indian 
play. No line of endeavor seems to be omitted. 
INTERESTED WOMEN.—T asked why so many 
women were present; one woman told me there were five 
women and two men from her town. Many of these 
women were of middle age, mothers of families, and 
more than one man told me that but one member could 
come, and that the woman could manage the visit for 
less money than the man, so it was a good year for the 
woman of the family to have the trip. Money is scarce 
and the weather was favorable. 
FARM NEEDS.—Unlike most other farmers’ meet¬ 
ings of the year, Farmers’ Week broke all records for 
attendance, and what did they come for? Information. 
The latest information. The bulk of the men and 
women on our farms are a substantial lot; they will 
not lightly change their policies. There was not the 
apparent kicking at conditions which was manifest the 
past two or three years, nor was there any excitement, 
which was characteristic of the war period, but one was 
impressed that these people were all seeking after knowl¬ 
edge ; that they were serious, in earnest, full of purpose. 
They were going to got the worth of their money. It is 
not often that the undercurrent of people’s mind is so 
apparent. 
GETTING DOWN TO FACTS.—They are going to 
pursue their arranged and appointed courses of hus¬ 
bandry,. but with increasing care. They desired to 
know how to avoid losses, and those who had been at¬ 
tending a potato meeting might be heard the following 
day discussing mosaic, rbizoctonia, black leg, roll and all 
the new diseases with a familiarity which was formerly 
confined to early and late blight. How could they 
assure greater production at less cost, or how could they 
reduce the cost and yet secure a good yield? This fea¬ 
ture stood out dominant. How could yields bo stabil¬ 
ized? This is a most remarkable state of mind when 
group who join because they believe that by so doing 
they are going to get someone to do something for them 
W/hieh they are too indifferent to do for themselves, and 
these men wil! fade away like snow in April when the 
trial comes. Another lot are joining for the purpose of 
helping themselves and their neighbors do something for 
themselves in a better way than they could do it work¬ 
ing alone, and they will survive the day of trial because 
they are trained to overcome the trials of life. 
SEED POTATO GROWERS*' ORGANIZE.—The 
manner in which Farmers’ Week is used is illustrated by 
work done in organizing the Seed Potato Growers. This 
oiganization has been at work for some years and now 
has a membership of 2S0 men who are growing certified 
seed potatoes. During Farmers’ Week they organized 
themselves into a corporation under the non-profit co¬ 
operative law of the State, arranged their charter and 
by-laws and adopted a policy which separates .them 
clearly from the men who are growing potatoes for table 
use; these latter will probably organize later in such 
manner as they see fit. A few years ago we talked 
about co-operation at such meetings, but there was dis¬ 
cussion as to the merits of co-operation; with these men 
it was a matter of getting busy and organizing the cor¬ 
poration. 
MILK SELLING.—Marketing is of increasing im¬ 
portance. Announce a meeting on marketing and no 
room seemed large enough to hold the crowd who wanted 
to get m. A three-hour session was devoted to market- 
mg milk, the speakers being a representative of Nestlehs 
Milk Company, the Milk Conference Board, Dean Cook 
for the producers of certified milk, and John I). Miller 
lor the Dairymen s League. Nobody could get, in during 
he discussion and the crowd filled the hall to over¬ 
flowing. I he farmers make Farmers’ Week • they de¬ 
cide what they want to hear, and they make a meeting 
d the topic is one they want, and they leave a speaker 
a.one just as quickly if they feel it is not what they 
want at that time. 
PRICES OF FARM PRODUCTS.—Dr. Warren had 
a talk on I rices of harm Products.” If you were not 
seated before the talk began you could not get in. The 
people want to know about prices. They want to know 
whether it would be better for the United States to 
forgive the Allies all that is owing to this country or 
not What would be the effect on prices? They want 
to know whether it would enable Europe to trade with 
us if these debts were wiped but. They are keenly alive 
to the seriousness of the international situation, and 
someone who has the knowledge 
them so that they might make up 
they should act. It is no light 
audience when one discusses the 
one can take it all in. Seven or 
they are searching for 
which would enlighten 
their mind as to how 
matter with a farmer 
problem of debt. No 
eight, lectures were going on at the same hour. A nn 
fessor in overalls and shirtsleeves was instructing aboi 
’’ keenly interested men and women as to the bei 
way of washing the miHiing machine; he did not tal 
about it alone; he showed them how, explaining as h 
ent. along. Such is the information these people cam 
tened ^ Pr °° f ° f Jt ' Was the Wi, -V they stayed and li; 
LOSS AND DAMAGE CLAIMS.—The America 
Railway Express maintained two men in a booth coi 
!n| ious .v to explain to shippers of eggs how to avoi 
loss and damage in transit, and one of these men snok 
on loss and damage claims. The New York Centn 
Railroad had a very good representative, who spoke o 
the loss and damage to perishables in transit. It is m 
niJ serious. A play, written by a student, was presente 
0D TIT V F n pNI T y RTT« Pn m-i, t0 « n . alienee of over 2,50< 
I II L LA I Ill. I I ,S.-—The exhibit of work done in th 
rural schools under the instruction of Mr. palmer wa 
one of the most important'because of its character. Bu 
the exhibits showing the varieties and the yields secure 
of corn, oats, wheat, barley, potatoes, Timothy, etc' ai 
shown m a giaphic manner, and in some cases these ar 
based on 2 consecutive years’ work. Problems ar 
studied in detail. The cause of the June drop in apple 
was not covered in an hour. That the seed end of th 
potato gave higher yields than the stem end seems to b 
uniformly true, but 12 years were devoted to provin 
that it is bo in New York. I cannot cover much of th 
held I have said nothing of forestry, animal huf 
ban dry, poultry husbandry, plant breeding. pomolog\ 
farm management, landscape art, farm mechanics am 
ill! t no work do no m homo economics. It cannot b 
written even if 10 men tried. It is ideal that the Stat 
shall provide for the edueation of its citizens. Educa 
t.ioni does not belong to ehildhood on’y; it should b 
continued as long as we live. c } j 
we remember that we are now marketing one of the 
largest crops ever produced at the greatest loss any crop 
ever entailed ; that these people are all feeling seriously 
the lack of capital for the current year. Yet the farm¬ 
ers seem to feel that lightning will not strike in the 
same place twice; that by better methods they may this 
year recoup some of last year’s loss. But they arc going 
to look after the expenses more closely. In addition 
there were men who seemed to wish to extend their 
activities—fruit men who wished to put in some kind 
of live stock, and stock men who thought they ought to 
add some kind of fruit growing; men who wanted to 
learn all they could about chickens, to see whether they 
could not add this line to those already established. A 
never-ceasing search after knowledge and a careful bal¬ 
ancing of statements and possibilities and probabilities 
so that they might decide what move to make. The 
farmer’s mind is alert; it is active; he is thinking more 
seriously than be ever did before. This generation 
never got such a licking as it has recently received. 
Other generations got theirs and profited in their day, 
and so will this. 
GO-OPERATION.—Co-operation is in practice. Tt 
is booming. I dislike to apply the word, for most 
booms burst, and the co-operation we are now pushing 
with such ardor is due for a trial soon, which will either 
make it or fc”?ak it. There are two classes joining—one 
After the Auto Thieves 
Last Fall we printed a report from Massachusetts 
to the effect that in that State license to operate a ear 
would be revoked when the driver was found guilty 
of stealing fruit or produce from farms. We printed 
the name of the first man to lose his license. This 
struck the members of ML Hope Grange No. 902, 
Now York, favorably, and they set about drafting a 
bill which will bring the same result in Now York 
•State. The result is Assembly Bill No. 334, intro¬ 
duced by Mr. Webb. The hill states that the Secre¬ 
tary of State may revoke or suspend any certificate 
or any license for the following causes: 
. For a third or subsequent violation of the speed 
provisions ol this article or ordinance or regulation made 
by competent local authority within one calendar year 
o. Upon the conviction of the holder of a license of a 
felony under this act or of petit larceny, r. Because of 
some physical or mental disability of the holder, or the 
disability of the holder by reason of intoxication or the 
use of drugs, d. Because of the gross negligence of the 
operator whereby person or property has been injured. 
c. 1' or going away without stopping and giving his name 
ami address after causing injury to any person or dam- 
age to any vehicle. /. Operating a motor vehicle in a 
manner showing a reckless disregard for life or property 
of others. J 
The culprit is given a fair chance to defend him¬ 
self. The point in this bill is covered by the words 
petit larceny. That will mean stealing fruit or flow¬ 
ers, breaking off limbs of fruit trees, stealing nuts or 
any of the acts of pretty thievery with which farm¬ 
ers are pestered. If this bill becomes a law the con¬ 
viction of one of these thieves would justify the Sec¬ 
retary of State in taking his car license away. That 
would keep him out of mischief. 
The Price of March Milk 
Last week the Dairymen’s League set a price of 
$2.10 per hundred pounds for 3 per cent milk for 
the month ot March. This is one cent a quart less 
than the February price. 
The dealers announced that they would reduce 
the price one cent a quart to consumers, which will 
ho 1G cents a quart for grade B and 18 cents for 
grade A. The price to producers is 2.7 cents a 
quart below March last year and 3.3 cents below 
November, or an average of three cents drop. The 
dealers have reduced to consumers two cents a 
quart, so that they make an actual profit of cue cent 
a quart on the producers’ reductions. This in a year 
would amount to substantially .$9,000,000. Before 
the war, in 1915, their spread was 5.75 cents a 
quart. They sold to consumer for nine cents. Now 
they will sell for 16 cents, at a spread of 11.3 cents, 
or practically double the former cost of delivery. 
The dealers seem to think it a virtue on their part 
to give the cent drop by the fanners in March over 
to the consumers; but they have not explained why 
they are entitled to an increase since November, 
while producers have lowered their price three cents 
a quart. On what economic grounds does the cost 
of distribution in the city increase, while the cost of 
production in the country takes such a long drop? 
The Business of Buying Co-operatively 
I note with interest the item by II. II. L. at the foot 
ol page 220. r I lie experience fit our local farmers in 
buying co-operatively through the G. L. F. Exchange 
may be of interest to some of your readers who are con¬ 
templating the purchase of supplies in this way. 
After giving the matter considerable thought it was 
decided that under the conditions prevailing here, the 
idea of maintaining a local warehouse with its attendant 
overhead expenses would be perhaps impracticable. We 
therefore undertook serving the local farmers through the 
car-door plan. Our method is as follows: A certain 
man is chosen to act as “car-door man,” whose duty it 
is to do all business in connection with the taking of 
orders, collection of payment for them, payment of 
draft, dealing out each purchaser’s goods, etc. 
W hen it is decided to place an order for grain, feed, 
fertilizers or other supplies, order blanks are sent out 
to a mailing list, of all farmers who naturally would 
use the local market for the purchase of supplies. These 
blanks carry the latest quotations on all articles listed 
by the G. L.F. for shipment in assorted cars. By a 
certain date, indicated on the blank, all orders must be 
in to insure their being included in the car or cars then 
being ordered. As early as possible on the following 
day the pooled order is forwarded. 
As soon as the invoice arrives, each purchaser’s ac¬ 
count is figured, and a mailing card made out for him, 
announcing the arrival of the draft at the local bank, 
and indicating the amount of his indebtedness. At once 
on being informed of the arrival of the draft, these 
eaids are mailed out to all who have a share in the 
order. I hose cards call for the prompt payment of each 
account at the local bank by making a deposit on tin* 
account, of the car-door man. He provides the bank with 
a complete list of purchasers, with the itemized account 
of each. When the car reaches its destination, other 
mailing cards are issued, indicating this fact, together 
with information as to where the car is “spotted” and 
the two days allowed for unloading. 
In cases when insufficient time exists for all pur- 
c.lasers to pay their accounts before the opening of the 
car, tin* car-door man advances the necessary amount 
to pay the draft. Nothing can be taken from the car 
without, evidence satisfactory to the car-door man of 
payment of the purchaser’s account. This generally 
coiismts of a duplicate deposit slip from the bank. 
I In? phiri hero described has proven so satisfactory 
with us that we do not hesitate to recommend its use in 
any community where circumstances are similar to our 
own. 
The order blank mentioned above carries a blank col¬ 
umn ahead of the list of commodities in which the pur- 
cbaM*r indicates the 100’s or bushels he wishes to buy. 
following tin* list are three columns, in the first of 
wlueli is indicated the price current on date of issue per 
ton or bushel, the handler's fee (in our case $1 per ton), 
and any other legitimate expense, such as printing, post¬ 
age. etc. When the order blanks have been returned 
( we usually allow five days) and the invoice has come, 
the purchase price is entered opposite each item ordered 
in the second column, and in the third the cost of the 
amount, ordered. 
At one side is some information relative to the use of 
'lie blanks, and at the foot of the 8U>xl4-in. sheet is tx 
promissory note reading as follows: 
, ., N. Y.,.192.. 
'P • • • ••••••••• 
I hereby promise to accept the above bill of goods 
and pay cash for same on arrival of draft at the 
I I irst National Bank of. N. Y., 
to the amount, heroin specified. Value received. 
(All notes subject to approval.) 
(Signed). 
Herkimer Co., N, Y. abthue s, dunckel. 
