But what is the case with the farmer? The farmers are the only
great body of our people who remain in large part substantially
unorganized. The merchants are organized, the wage-workers are
organized, the railroads are organized. The men with whom the farmer
competes are organized to get the best results for themselves in their
dealings with him. The farmer is engaged, usually without the assistance
of organization, in competing with these organizations of other groups
of citizens. Thus the farmer, the man on whose product we all live, too
often contends almost single-handed against his highly organized
competitors.
How have the agricultural schools and colleges and the Departments of
Agriculture of State and Nation met this situation? Largely by the
assertion, in word or in act, that there is only one thing to be done
for the farmer. So far as his personal education is concerned, they have
tried to give him a sound body, a trained mind, and a wise and valiant
spirit. But so far as his calling is concerned, they have stopped with
the body. They have said in effect: We will help the farmer to grow
better crops, but we will take no thought of how he can get the best
returns for the crops he grows, or of how he can utilize those returns
so as to make them yield him the best and happiest life.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36