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NESS FARMING

FThe Independent Farm, Home and Market Weekly, for Michigan Business Farmers

‘-’--. . I»..—

 

V(11. V- No. IfiV‘l

 

SATURDAY DECEMBER 29th, 1917.

1’14th YEAR- -No Premiums
$ Free List or Clubbing Offer-

 

 

 

BETTER DIST dBUTlON OF POTATOES
MORE IMPORTANT THAN GRADING

Problem of Unstable Markets and

Unprofitable Prices for Farm-
er ‘Lies in Distribution
Rather Than Stand-
ardization

Below we give a reproduction of the
“graded” potatoes the Food Adminis-
tration and its experts have been tell-
ing us about the last few weeks. Ed-
itor Slocum brought ’em back from
Washington and they cost him some-
thing like a cent apiece. Leastwise
the price he paid for them was at the
rate of $2.40 per bushel. And No.- 1
Michigan spuds were bringing at that
time around 80 cents per bushel, with
the N0. 2 grade selling at 40 per cent
less.

Editor Slocum wou1d no doubt have
invested his. money in U. S. No. 1
grade of potatoes, had there been any
on the market. But when he asked
for them the shopkeeper scratched his
head and said, “That must be another
new-fangled notion, ain’t it? I never
heard tell of any U. S. No. 1 grade,”
or words to that effect. So our editor
brought home the measly, little shriv-
eled-up and diseased potatoes shown
below to show M. B. F. readers the

 

kind of stuff that poor people are pay-
ing $2.40 per bushel for, and no doubt
cussing the farmer every time they
buy a peek of them.

Other investigations that have been
recently made by M. B. F. confirms
our previous statements that there
are very few city markets offering
graded potatoes for sale; the‘dealers
in some instances never heard of the
U. S. Grade N0. 1 and 2, and there is
NO demand for graded stock from the
consumer. In all the statements that
have been submitted to this publica-
tion by the Food Administration and
its traveling experts, by Prof. Waid of
the Michigan Agricultural college; by
Mr. J. W. Hicks, president of the
Wisconsin Potato Growers’ Ass’n; by
Mr. Mulward, secretary of. that organ-
ization, and divers other individuals,
both selfishly and unselfishly interest-
ed in the continuance of the grades.
there is not one scrap of evidence
submitted that potatoes are being sold
to consumers in a graded condition,
nor has there been any explanation of
what becomes of the few No. 2 pota-
toes that have been placed upon the
market.

Neither has there been any proof
submitted that other states would be

tions have passed resolutions condemn-

 

 

WEST MlCHlG

compelled to follow in the footsteps
of Michigan and Wisconsin in the ac-
ceptance of these grades, and no ef-
fort has been made by those who are
supporting the grades to explain
clearly why the farmers of these states
are not being discriminated against.

There are no new developments in

the opposition that is being rapidly Gram Corporation Induces weSt'

organized against the present grading ern Michigan Millers to Ad-
methods. The feeling among the farm- vance Price of N0. 2 Red
ers of Michigan, and from what we

can gather from letters received from 1:0 $2-09-
WiSCOnSin,—Wh10h Will later be made ‘tgiumutammmin».i«xi;wamumm'w:mm :u w
public,—the farmers of both states '
are becoming more and more incensed
over the matter. Many local Gleaner.
Grange'and Farmers’ Clubs organiza-

ti‘” 5 l‘illl‘llll'llll‘Illlllilllllllf

  

[7111th States Food Administration
Grain Corporation
Philadelphia, December 2!, 1917
Editor Michigan Business li‘arming‘.
Mount Clemens, Mich.

- - . Dear Sir: Replying to your
mg the grades In no uncertain manner, g2: favor of the 18th, Voi ht Milling

and there are instances, even where g $51.69‘};g;1€{\.§agitigédeggézjg933335
boards of trade of towns located in po- = \vriting the Grand Rapids press.—
tat" growng ”Fons are exertmg 9‘“ £88211.Ari].'“brl”fii{¥§2'?“2§(iatticgoti‘éi-
ery effort at their command to secure ident.
a remedy for the deplorable and un-
just situation. In addition to this
hundreds of individual and organized
farmers have publicly agreed that they
would not sell a single potato to be
graded under the present system.
The first squall of dissatisfaction
has grown to a veritable storm of pro
test, sweeping the state from one end
to the other. That it will swoop down
upon the Food Administration at
Washington and move them to some
kind of remedial action is our firm
conviction.

ll? " :lillHu

n‘izl " ll lilllilll‘l llllillllllllil illlllilllllll‘l 1l1'-“ . ‘.- l r:

The foregoing letter is the result of
a complaint laid before lViH‘lllGAN Bus-
INEss FARMING several weeks ago by
a Kent City subscriber, over the price
of $2.06 that was being paid by Kent
county dealers for N0. 2 Red Wheat.
It was the opinion of our subscriber
that this grade of wheat should bring
a higher price to the Kent county
farmer as long as the same wheat
was quoted at $2.17 at Detroit and

(Continm‘rl on put/c 4)

 

 

 

Photograph of Potatoes which' Grant

 

 

 

Slocum bought at a “'ashington retail store, showing their exact size um] condition at the time of purchase.

 

 
      

        


 
  

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE BEET
MEN TO MEET

Important Gathering of Michigan
Sugar Beet Growers to be held
at Saginaw, Friday,
January 4th

Members of the Michigan Sugar
Beet Growers’ Ass’n will meet Friday
January 4th, in the auditorium of the
Bancroft hotel, according to informa-
tion just received by MICHIGAN BUSI-
ans FARMING from Mr. A. B. Cook,
an officer of the state association.

The meeting will be an important
one in many respects, and every grow-
er is urgently requested to be present.

Many growers are refusing to sign
up 1918 contracts on the old sliding
scale basis of $8 per ton with the
wholesale price of sugar at 7 cents per
pound, and one additional dollar ‘per
ton for every cent increase of the
Wholesale price over seven cents. On
account of the strict control which the
government is attempting over sugar
prices, it is very doubtful if wholesale
sugar will advance over seven cents
during the period of the war, so that
the farmer who signs such a contract
may as well make up his mind right
then and there. that he'll get $8 and
no more.

On account of the greatly increased
cost of growing beets. there is a gen-
eral sentiment among the growers that
they should have ten dollars per ton
the coming year, and it is believed
this is one of the matters that will be
discussed and possibly decided at the
coming meeting. There is the feeling
that if the growers make a united de—
mand. the sugar manufacturers will
be willing to grant it without their
usual opposition, in view of the fact
that so long as the government exerts
a' control over sugar prices, it will
soc to it that the manufacturers re-
ceive a fair profit.

Western growers have already an-
nounced their demands for $10 con-
tracts. claiming that they cannot and
will not, grow beets another year for
less than that. Testifying before the
senate investigating committee, C. G.
Patterson, representing the Inter-
Mountain Territory Sugar Beet Grow—
crs’ Ass’n. said that 75 per cent of the
growers in that district would go out
of business if next year’s price was not
increased. He said they could not af-
ford to raise beets for less than $10 a
ton. His organization, he said, repre-
sents an acreage of from 125,000 to
140 000 acres of which 90 per cent are
in Utah and Idaho.

California beet growerss state that
their acreage will be decreased fifty
to seventy—five per cent unless they
can get a more profitable price for
their beets.

The time for the Michigan growers
to take decisive and united action has
come. $10 beets are within the range
of probabilities for next year. and it
all depends upon the growers whether
or not they get it.

PARCEL POST PROVES A
COSTLY MARKET MEDIUM

 

Recently a shipment of 1,000 lbs. of
butter was sent from Big Rapids to
Detroit by parcel post, at a total post—
age cost of $13, and war tax of 75
cents. The shipper was the Farmers’
Co-Operative creamery'.

“Economy cannot be a chief motive
in using the mails for a half ton of
butter,” says the Pionccr. “for the ex-
press rate is $7.50, with a war tax of
38 cents, while the freight rate is
$3.47, With a war tax of a dime. The
best explanation obtainable here is

trimaran

that the mail shipment is quicker, in-
suring delivery of: the butter in splen-
did condition.”

Parcel post is the-cheapest and most

satisfactory medium for the transpor~ _

tation of parcels under 50 pounds in
weight, but above that its economy de-
creases rapidly owing to the fact that
the graduation of charges according
to weight ends at 50 pounds. It costs
less per pound to send a 50 pound
package than it does a 25 pound pack—
age by parcel post, but it costs just as
much per pound to ship 100 pounds
in two 50-1b. containers as it does to
ship one single 50-lb. package. This
is not true, however, with express. The
heavier the article, the less per pound
is the transportation charge, so that
generally speaking it is not economy
to ship extra heavy articles by parcel
post.

 

of (‘oldwaten who
is President of the National Milk Produc—
ers’ Federation, and one of the best posted
men in the l.‘ mu d States on the problems
of milk prodiution and marketing. Mr.
(‘ampbell has agreed to keep readers of
Michigan Business Farming advised up-

Milo D. Campbell,

on national developments in the milk

situation.

FARMERS SHOULD WATCH
PRACTICES OF BUYERS

 

It. has been reported that buyers in
a number of small towns have been
mixing No. 1 and 2 potatoes together
and shipping them in this mixed con-
dition. In View of the fact that there
is very little demand for graded po-
tatoes, in spite of the Food Adminis-
tration’s inference to the contrary,
shippers are tempted to mix the two
grades, and they take little chance of
being detected. The Food Administra—
tion has asked M. B. F. to report. any
such practice as this which may be
brot to our attention, and investiga-
tions are already under way in one
such instance. Perhaps if it were
made impossible for buyers to mix
these two grades, they would be more
anxious to have the second grade el—
iminated. We would advise our read-
ers to keep their eyes open and report
any instances of this kind with which
they may be acquainted.

MICHIGAN SUGAR BEET
CROP A SHORT ONE

 

 

Few if any of the sugar beet, factor-
ies of the state will have a normal
run this year. Several of the factories
have already finished Slicing their
beets, and others will complete their
run within another fortnight. The
unseasonable weather during the
growing season is to blame for the
poor crop," which is estimated as only
60 per cent of normal. The sugar con-
tent was considerably higher than the
average, which means larger profits

for the manufacturers. Unless farm-
ers can get a price another year which
will pay them at least a small profit,

we are very much afraid the run of.

the sugar factories will be still‘short-
er.

RODNEY GRANGE PRO-
TESTS POTATO GRADING

 

Members of Rodney Grange, Rod-
ney, Mich., voiced their opposition to
the potato grading rules at a recent
meeting. The discussion plainly show-
ed how disgusted the potato growers
are in regard to the potato grading.
Many of those present said they Would
plant only enough for their own use
next year

The department of marketing says
that from 40 to 80 per cent of pota-
toes that go to the No. 2 grade are put
there on purpose or otherwise by the
men manipulating the screen. Farm-
ers should acquaint themselves with
what kind of screens they sell their
potatoes over. There are a few good
screens throughout the state. If nec-
essary measure the potatoes with cal-
ipers after they go over the screen.

MECOSTA F ARMER
SAYS “ORGANIZE”

Declares Secret to Better Prices on
Farm Products Lies in Co-op-
erative Organization and
Marketing

 

 

Many farmers thruout the state have
often wondered why potato prices at
Greenville always range from 10 to
20 per cent higher than on any other
market. Some authorities claim this
is due to the reputation Greenville
dealers have as shippers of good clean
stock. But this can hardly be the
reason. as there are dealers in many
other localities who are just as par—
ticular in their shipping operations.

Mr. Jas. Edgar of Lakeview, in a
recent letter to the editor of the Mc-
costa News. has, we think. hit upon
the real reason for the “top" prices at
Greenville. He says:

“We are posted on the Greenville
market and have noticed that many
times when they are paying $1.25 per
bushel in Greenville, they are paying
from 90 cents to $1.00 in Lakeview.
If the Greenville buyers can make
money at the price they pay, what are
the buyers in Lakeview doing?

“It is not competition that makes
the difference in price, it is the Farm-
ers’ Alliance.

“Because of this association, the
Greenville buyers have to pay what
potatoes are worth.

“These same buyers have warehous-
es in all the little towns on the line
of the P. M. R. R. and if the farmers
in the vicinity of these towns were or-
ganized as they are at Greenville.
they could govern the price instead
of having to take whatever the buyer
may offer. Then, too. every farmer
should weigh his potatoes before go-
ing to market. as it is a common thing

for a load of potatoes to fall short,

from 50 to 100 lbs. Now brother farm-
ers, I hope you will get busy and or-
ganize.”

Send Me Some Subscription Blanks

I am very anxious to receive your
market publication. and if you will
send me some subscription blanks,

. k
I know I can get you some subscrib-

ers as there are quite a number here
who wish to subscribe—Geo. A. Den-
nis, Charlevoix county.

FARM BEREAUS’

ARE ORGANIZED

 

Progressive Farmers of Montcalm
and Oakland Counties Pledge
Financial Support to Farm
Bureau Organizations

 

Montcalm and Oakland are the two
latest counties to organize farm bur-
eaus, and make financial prov‘sions
for the hiring.of agricultural experts.
Following the action of the board of
supervisors in voting against the
county bureau plan, the progressive
farmers of Montcalm county,got to-
gether and pledged enough funds to
pay the expenses of an agricultural
agent, the salary expense being borne
by the federal government.

The organization was formulated at
a mass meeting of farmers held at
Greenville and the following officers
were elected:

Pres—Clair Taylor. of Greenville.

Vice Pres—Franz S. King. Howard
City.

Sec.-Treas.—Lawrence A. Siple, of

Greenville, R.F.D. _
' Executive committeew—Crops. W. J.
Wilson, Carson City; potatoes, Wm. J.
Nielsen. Trufant; dairy, Roy Rossman,
Lakeview; live sttock, C. W. Crum.
McBride; soils, W. G. Herrick, Carson
City; horticulture, Ed. Lincoln, Green»
ville; rural life, Rev. H. B. Johnson.
Greenville; boys’ and girls’ club work,
E. B. Stebbins, Carson City; home
economics, Mrs. N. Rossman. Lake—
view. _

The organization starts off with a
membership of about 250 thruout the
county, which is expected to be in—
creased to 500 by December 31st and to
1000 by January 1st.

The Oakland county organizat’on
has the backing of the Board of Super-
visors. so that no individual farmer
is required to bear any of the financial
burden direct. The organization was
effected at Pontiac, and the following
officers were elected:

PreswChas. Bingham. of Birming-
ham.

Vice Pres.~H. J. Broughton, Bloom—
field.

Secretary—Geo. H. Kimball. Pontiac.

Treas.—R. J. Coryell, Bloomfield.

A L. Ross of Avon, J. Halsey Sayre
of South Lyon, Geo. Newbound of No-
vi, A. L. Nelson of Avon. G. R. Thomp-
son of Highland and Walter Terpen-
ning of Pontiac were named as exec-
utive committee.

The action of the Federal govern-
ment in assuming the salary expense
of county agents providing the (01111
ties take care of the other expenses
in connection with the work, has ad~
ded popularity to the farm bureau
movement, and it is anticipated that
other counties of the state will elect
to take advantage of this offer and get
in the van guard of other progres-
sive counties The county farm bur-
eau and agent won’t solve all the
problems of rural life, but they will
go a long way toward doing it, and ex-
perience has proven without a doubt
that the county agent is a valuable
helper to those who are open-minded
enough to co-operate with him.

DIISSAUKEE (North (“entrul)———T< .‘IIm—
ers are getting their winter wood and do—
ing their chores. The weather is some—
what warmer than it has been. Nothing
is being sold at present. No market for
potatoes. N0 beans threshed yet and
there will not be many when they are.—
H. E N. Cutcheon, Dec. 2.

CALHOUN (North Central)_Wcz tther
is very pleasant but rather unfayOIable
for wheat and meadows; the ground has
thawed out about two inches. Nothing
being marketed in this locality just now
This community lost one of its oldest and
most highly-respected residents when Mr.
George Gray died Tuesday morning, Dec.
18 from apoplexy. Mr. Gray was 69 yrs
old and had resided here many years
clearing the farm where he lived and
died—G. R., Olivet, Dec. 22.

o».

 

 
   
        
        
     
 

     
       
        
        
 
      
          
 
       
        
       
      
      
      
       
      
         
 
     
        
       


  
 
 
     

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Washington—~When the modest J. Ogden Armour
/g proclaimed to the world a fewweeks ago that Uncle Sam
could have Armour & Company, “yes, and J. Ogden Armour
himself” he probably didn’t think that his Uncle Samuel
would “get” him so soon.
eral trade commission which is investigating alleged ir—

Rlcent disclosures of the fed-

1-egu1arities in the conduct of. “Big Business” show that Armour & Company
and other Chicago packing concerns control a multitude of industries, leather,
fertilizer, canned vegetables, dairying and dairy feed, grain and butter from

which they make enormous profits.

Criminal manipulat'oh of funds and false

entries on the books of the comanies to conceal excessive earnings from the
eyes of prying government investigators are also charged against Armour &
Company. Further charges are made that the packers own the great stockyards,
and have practical control over the operatives, by reason of which they are able
to dictate the market prices. If the accusations are true the packers are playing
the biggest game of “freeze-out” EIIH “squeeze ’em” ever attempted by an Amer- .

ican trust.

They dictate khat the farmers shall pay for dairy feeds and then

when the farmers are obliged to kill their dairy herds for beef, the packers

dictate the price, they shall receive.

And according to the government’s in-

vestigators this is but one of many cut-throat practices of the packing com-

panies to fill their money vaults with war-time profits.

The investigation is

only fairly under way, but will be vigorously pushed immediately after the

holidays, the commission having adjourned until that time.

We urge our read-

ers to watch the further developments; they promise to be highly interesting,

*

*

ENERAL KALEDINES, military leader of the opposition against the B01-
G sheviki government, has resigned because of his growing unpopularity

with his troops.

The enemies of the Lenine regime are attempting to

consolidate their forces for a powerful offensive against the Bolsheviki. realiz-
ing apparently that they must act in unison and at once if they are to stem the
growing popularity of the new government. The initial peace negotiations being
conducted between Russia and Germany would seem to still further give the lie
to the statement that the Bolsheviki are dominated by Berlin, as Trotsky, the
Bolsheviki foreign minister has rejected the terms offered by the Kaiser, and
insists Russia wants a “democratic” peace and will not be satisfied with less.
This diplomat has given the Kaiser to understand that Russia is not, in sym—

pathy with his imperialistic ideas and lust of conquest.

The cessation of hos-

tilities during the peace negotiations has resulted in considerable fraterniz'ng
between the Russian and German troops, and some writers claim that nothing
could have a more weakening influence upon the morale of the Germans than
this exchange of confidences with a nation that has taken its first sips of dem-
ocracv’s overflowing cup. The Allies, in the meantime, “watch and wait." Some
diplomats urge immediate recognition of the Bolshheviki government and a de-
termined action to turn it against Germany’s peace offers; others hesitate fear-
ing that the de facto government will be soon overthrown by a coalition of the

numerous opposing factions.

If the Allies are in sympathy with the new Rut.-

sian democracy. it. is the contention of many authorities that they should im-
mediately make it, known; if the Allies are not in sympathy with Russia‘s new
democracy, with what political party do their sympathies lie. and what assur-
ances do they have that a successful contender against the Lenine government
would give to Russia a better administration or one more friendly to the cause

of the Allies than the present one?

It appears to many that the Allies should

immediately declare their views upon the Russian situation, and help to bring
order out of the chaos in which the country seems to be floundering.

*

li‘ ARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS are sending committees
plead for the exemption of farm laborers for military service.

*

to Washington to
A New York

delegation recently appeared before Secretary of War Baker and protested
v’gorously against the drafting of men from the farms. The committee told the
Sec;etary that. it was folly for the government to expect increased production as
long as it continued to take the laborers necessary to increase production. In Spite
of the pleas by these committees. it is highly improbable that the government will
modify the draft regulations to exempt unskilled farm laborers, but Secretary
Baker has suggested that the government might “draft” men from the train-
ing camps to help on the farms during planting, growing and harvesting seas-
ons. Other equally as chimerical and insufficient schemes have been advanced for

the solution of the farm labor problem.
factory solution—unqualified exemp-
tion from militaryservice of all labor-
ers who are needed and now working
on American farms. Either the Gov-
ernment needs these men on the farms
or it doesn’t. If they are needed on
the farms, then they will be perform-
ing as patriotic and effective service
if compelled to stay and labor on the
farms as they would in the trenches.
Your correspondent would be pleased
ed to receive letters from readers
of MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARMING setting
forth their ideas on the farm labor
problem. Such letters should be sent
in care of MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARM-
lNG, Mt. Clemens, Mich.

* * *

Investigations have been afoot for
nearly sixty days to fix the responsi-
b‘l'ty for the coal shortage. The public.
Vets first assured that the operators
vow to blame, and everybody cussed
the mine owners. Then it was hinted
that the shortage was due to huge ex-
ports to Italy. The dear public had no
sooner resolved that war WAS hell,
when the burden of blame was shifted
to the coal dealers. And now that we
have just come to the conclusion that
the coal dealers are a bunch of rob«
bers and profiteers, along comes the
positive assurance that the railroads
are to blame. “Federal rail control
is the only real remedy,” says Dr.
Garfield, the fuel administrator. If

To our mind there is only one satis»

you will only have patience,‘dear read-
er, we can promise yOu government
ownership,——and coal,—ne'xt June, or
if not, we ought to be able to tell you
who is really to blame for the shortage

GREENVILLE EDITOR RAPS
“FARM SPECIALISTS”

Editor B. E. Bryant of the Green-
m‘lle Independent, who says he has had
several years’ experience at Washing-
ton, unburdens his thots upon the
“farm specialist” in the following
unique manner:

“We have often read with _n1ueh in-
terest and sometimes considerable in-
formation articles in our state and
national farm reports written by per—
sons signing themselves “specialists”
or “scientific experts" and other affix—
es which are intended to create the im-
pression that the writer is possessed
with a large amount of technical
knowledge. When we believed these
expert essays would prove of advant-
age to the farmer we have given space
to the articles, but when we felt they
contained little information or poor
advice, we have left them out. We had
the speech of Mr. Allewelt, who signed
himself “scientific assistant,” several
days before he delivered it at the Col-
iseum, but inasmuch as we did not feel
it would be of benefit to our potato
growers, we did not print it. We have
just received another agricultural bul-
letin telling the farmers how to save
pork costs. We do not print it because
we have an impression that most farm-
ers know how to butcher a hog. Here
is a sample of the information sent
out by this “speeialist:” Among other
enlightening information he tells of
“equipment needed.” The first article
mentioned is an “8-inch sticking knife.”
Now this was thoughtful on the part
of the specialist because the average
Michigan farmer might have tried to
get the wife to kill the animal with
the broom and brooms are too expen-
sive just now. Again he says: “a bar-
rel makes a very convenient receptacle
in which to scald a hog." How thank-
ful we should be for this new idea.
Hereafter no intelligent farmer will
ever think of such a thing as taking
the animal into the kitchen and pour
ing boiling water over it with the tea
kettle. Even with the barrel idea
probably most farmers would never
have thought of tilting the barrel at an
angle of 45 degrees if the specialist
had not had the forethought; to tell us
so. We had several years' experience
in Washington and saw many letters
from the different departments, but
never knew of a plain ordinary every-
day clerk. All were specialists, or chief
clerks, or had charge of some special
work or special desk or department,
so the habit of being a Specialist has
grown up with department work. We
therefore should not be surprised to
read such elucidating information from
some person in charge of a desk on hog
killing."

 

. 0
“W

    
  

HAvE BEEN

WHEN \

 

 

 

P.»IN \N ”(‘42

 

l‘ \“I couLDN‘T

FICER— How COULD HE.
apex/e BROKEN A wmoovt
DON'T ALLOW
HIM To I’LAY BASEBALL

CHE STREET 2.

THE OFF\CER WAS ALmosT SURE HE SAW THE. BOY

.rflqSE

FEiLLER.

MY SON

   

  

 

 

 

The War Department rescinded the or-
der barring (lamp Custer meh from visit-
ing home over (‘hristmas and many of
them took advantage of the new ruling
to spend the holiday with ”the folks.”
Those who remained in camp enjoyed a

royal feast, followed by various kinds
of entertainment. On December 21st, 507
men from Custer arrived at Camp Viac—
Arthur, Waco, Texas, to replace men sent
there a few weeks ago and discharged
since for various reasons. The boys at
Custer are much in need of additional sup-
plies in the way of clothing. and especial—
ly overshoes. Major-General Parker has
made an unofficial plea to the citizens of
Michigan, either as a state or individ—
ually, to supply rubbers or overshoes at
this time as it seems impossible to get
them from Washington. Individual Ili-
nations of rubbers, even of worn slight—
ly. will be greatly appreciated. The train—
ing at (‘uster even though hampered by
lack of equipment, is progressing rapidly.
II t O

Conflicting reports continue to come
from Russia. It is evident that condi—
tions there border on civil war, if such
conditions actually be said to exist. The
Ukraine has decided it will aid General
Kaledines in his counter revolution. rather
than Lenine, the head of the Balshevi-
ki. The Cossacks have captured the
town of Restovon-Don after six days of
fighting. The Balsheviki chiefs fled from
the town on warships. The Cossacks are
also having trouble. the hill tribes of
the (Taucusus having risen against them.
Valuable property in T’ctrograd has been
plundered by mobs and a disorganized
condition bordering on anarchy exists
throughout the country. While the dif-
ferent factions struggle for supremo con—
trol. the rank and file of the popular-o fuco
starvation, in a country fairly well stock—
cd with food. owing to lack of any organ—
ized effort to transport the same where
it is most needed.

t I. ‘

Conditions along the British and French
fronts continue relatively quiet although
heavy artillery fire is kept up all along
the line and trench raids arc of nightly
occurrence. Just when the next offcn—
sivc will take. place. is a mutter of con-
jecture. There are indications of another
Rritish advance and :11 me other hand
the German commanders are increasing
the number of their forces all along the
\Vcstcrn front. Vthther they will launch
u. general :Ittztck before scvcrc wcuthcr
scts in is :1 question being much (“wins ~
cd by the Allies. ICvcry preparation is
being made to meet such an attack and-

cxpcrt military authorities claim thcrr-
is little chance of their being- :nb'l- to
lll:ll{<’ more than :1 slight lllllll"“~'.\':llll on
thc Allied front at any point.

1! * bk
The Italians continue to hold all alum:
thc new front. despite the most dotcr-
mincd efforts of the Austro-Cerinzm forc—

"U i” hrcul: through and reach the rich
Italian plains below. The Italians urt-

nmking counter attacks in an attempt to
rcgain Monte Asolcne. Military :iuthcr—
itics now consider the .:\ustro-Hcrmnu
drive as definitely halted and llt'llt‘Vl‘ (hit
the Italian army will be able to take the
offensive again in the near future, I‘rco—
:irations are being made to that end ard
:irlditionzll reinforcements have :H‘rivc'l
from France and Britain. The ltal‘o'i
morale is all that could he dcsired and
their air forces are constantly :ictivc ovv-r
the enemy lines.
at: >1: an:

.\s a result of the, publication of :nl'li—

tionril tclcgrams sent by ("ount von l'.u\'—

burg. Argentine is again sccthipsr with
dcmzinds for war on Germany. .\t Rue-
nos Aires it has been necessary in coll
out the mounted police to dispcr‘c the

crowds. Argentine has
diplomatic relations with Germany and
a declaration of war appears to be :1
matter for the near future.

i * 1!

Relative to the new German pry-~-
propaganda, one of the highest ollici ‘1
of the Government states that thc "—
nitcd States will not discuss any abstr-wt
suggestions of peace or peace, tv-r'wa
and adds that the position of this coun‘ry
is too clear to necessitate any such :i"':’~ll
Officials are not interested in nilv of
the prescnt peace feelers, not consivlcr-
ing them sincere.

# I I

Before abandoning their dcfcucu of
.Icrusalem and allowing it to fall into
hands of the British. the Turks looted the
Church of the Holy Sepulchrc sending
a great amount of plunder to lermanv
and also mistreated priests, missionaries
and other representatives of the christ-
tizin religion.

alrczidy ll'okr-n

W3 m ' ‘il'l: ,'

WHAT WAS IT you were going
to remember Monday, December
3lst? .40 scinl in at lcast ouc
new subscription. and more it'
possible, to Michigan liusincss
Farming. This will not only be
a service to us, but a service to over
200,000 farmers of Michigan. Can
you think of any easier way of help-
ing the l'armers‘ rouse than by ad-
ding one or morn, new soldiers to
our nrvrv of readers?

  


 

-4,

 

What Farmers of. Draft ‘Age Are
Asked About Their Claims for
, Agricultural Exemption
Below.we publish some of the ques-

tions that are being asked farmers,
under the new draft classification

'rules wheich were outlined in these

columns several weeks ago.

Series XII. Agricultural Occupation

[Every registrant must answer the first
question. If he answers "yes,” he must
answer all the remaining questions, ex-
cept as stated in the interlined instruc—
tions, and must sign his name. 1f the
registrant claims deferred classification
on the ground of engagement in agri~
culture, he must secure the two aiiida—
vits at the end of this series of questions
of two persons, in conformity with the
following rules: 1. If the registrant
is an employee, affidavit No. 1 must be
made by his employer and affidavit No.
2 by a near neighbor. 2. If the regis—
trant .18 the sole managing controlling,
and directing head of the agricultural en-
terprise, the two supporting atiidavits
must be made according to the following
rules: (a) .If such head of the agricul-
tural enterprise is the owner of the land,
both affidavits shall be made by near
neighbors. (b) If such head of the
agricultural enterprise leases the land,
affidavit No. 1 must be made by the own-
er ot the land, or the lattcr's agent, and
affidavit No. 2 by a near neighbor. All
affidaVits and other proof in support of
claims for deferred classification on agri-
cultural grounds must be filed with the
local. board. except such proof as the
district board may directly require; and
all additional ailidavits and other writ-
ten. proof must be legibly written or type-
written on one side only of white paper
of the approximate size of this sheet]

Q. 1. Are you engaged in any ag-
ricultural enterprise? (If your an-
swer is “1.0" do not. answer any other
questions and do not sign your name.)

Q. 2. Are you an employee, or the
owning or managing head of the en-
terprise?

Q. 3. Do you claim deferred class—
ification on the ground that you are
engaged in such enterprise?

Q. 4. State the kind of farm.

Q. 5. Are you engaged in all
branches 1' work on the farm?

Q. 6. 11' you answer “no state
what branch of work you are engaged
in.

Q. 7. State in general terms (not
as quantity) (a) What is produced by
the entire agricultural enterprise and
(b) What is produced by that branch
of the farm in which you work.

Q. 8. Name postoffice of the farm.

Q. 9. Do you give all your work-
ing time to the farm?

Q. 10. If not, what other
do you do?

Q. 11. What is thhe name of your
job on the farm (for instance, “over-
seer,” “manager,” “foreman,” “labor-
er,” etc.) ?

ii

work

Q. 12. What do you do on the
farm?
0. 13. State (a) 110w long you

have been working on the farm and
where you are now working.

Q. 14. State the nature and ex«
tent of your education and training
as a farmer. '

Q. 15. How many persons are en—
gaged, both as owners and workers or.
the same farm with yourself?

Q. 16. State the following facts
concerning the particular farm on
which you work; (a) the number of
acres of the land; (1)) the number of
acres under cultivation at the pres-
ent time; (c) the kinds of crops rais-
ed in the last year or now being rais-
ed; ((1) What use is made of the land
not cultivated?

Q. 17. State the number and kind
of livestock on the land.

Q. 18. State (a) how many per-
sons live on the land and (1)) how
many of them actually work on the
farm?

Q. 19. State in terms of money
value, how much the products of said
farm exceed the amount consumed by
all persons working on it, and their
families.

Q. 20. State the approximate cost
of production, including labor, fertil-
izers, etc.

Q. 21. State why you can not be
easily replaced by another person.

Q. 22. State fully the actual con-
dition which would result from your
removal.

Q. 23. If you have any person re-

mini

is

.. ,, ,‘y
or can assist. you,».stat‘e Whit?" he “0. ,

  

not take your. place; - . '

The following uestions are to be
answered only b a registrant‘who is
an employee:

Q. 24., By whom are you employ-
ed? , -

Q. 25. What are your earnings,
in money value, as an employee, on
said farm, whether in money or pro-
duce, or both, per day, per week, per
month, as the case may be?

The following questions to be an-
swered only by a registrant who is
head and owner of a farm.

 

I -;t 1‘ " ' ‘ ‘ n l a' .
. X 21 130.310. ow e ' ,
'Q- 28'?" Whit-tails 'itar'va-iueh

 

it? . «.
Q. 30.
property owned and used by you on
the farm. ‘g'
Q. 31. If you Ieasethe land (a)

'upon~what terms; (b) name and ad-

dress of owner, and (c) when pres-
ent lease expires. . '

Q. 32. State (a) 'how many per-
sons are in your employ and (b) the
total you have paid during the past
year to all of said employees, whether
in money or in produce. ‘

llllll||||IIlllllllllllll|llllllllillllllllllllllllllllIllillllillllilillllllllllllllll|i|lllillIi|lllllllllillllllillllllll|IlllllllllllllllHillIllllllllllllllilllllillllliIllllllllill|lllll|ll||lllilllllllllillllllllllIlllllllllIlillll|lIll|iIlllllllllllllllliliiilli

M. B. F. SMOKES ANOTHER “NIGGER”
OUT OF THE “IWTS” WOODPILE

Has the government set alprice on
butterfat? Not that we know any-
thing about. Of course, certain “in-
terests” have 'been trying to make
the farmers believe it has, but—well,
nead the following correspondence:

The Complaint

Chesaning, Dec. 7, 1917.
Michigan Business Farming,
Mt. Clemens Michigan.

Has the Government regulated the
price of butterfat. .l have found letters
like the enclosed in nearly all places
where cream is bought by the large city
creameries.—(‘.. it. W.

n
The “Enclosed Letter
’1‘0\\'AR “'AYNE COUNTY CREAMERY
Detroit. November 3, 1917.
Mr. (An l’p-State Butter Maker.)

Dear Sir: The prices you refer to on
your memorandum received here today
are for direct shippers and these prices
are always considerably above the sta-
tion price as there is no expense in con—
nection with direct shipments. '

We have just received written instruc—
tions from the government which will not
permit us to pay more than one price
which this week is He, so you will have
to pay that. Do not get discouraged, all
our men are up against just the same,
thing that you are, but now that the
government has taken control you can
look for a decided improvement. .

Do not under any consideration either
raise or lower your price without instruc-
tions from us as the Government is lia—
ble to impose a heavy penalty wn you for
that. * * *

Yours very truly,
Towar Wayne County Creamery,
D. Atkinson.
Butter Department.

M. B. F. Investigates

December 15. 1917
’l‘owar “'ayiie County Creamery,
Detroit. Michigan,
Attention Mr. Win. J. Kennedy,
President and Manager
My dear Sir: if convenient and agree-
able we would like to see a copy of the
written instructions which you claim were
given you by the government forbidding
you to pay more than a certain stipula-
ted price for buttcrt‘at. Specifically, I am
interested in knowing what this so-called
set price was for the week ending Novem—
ber 20.
Very truly yours,
li‘. A. Lord, Editor,
Michigan Business Farming.

 

Pres. Kennedy Answers
TOW’AR “’AYNE (‘OUN’I‘Y (IREAMICRY
Detroit, December 15, 1917.
Editor Michigan Business Farming,
Mount Clemens, Mich.

Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your lei-
ter of December lilth. asking for a copy
of the. written instructions which I claim
were given to me by the Government
forbidding us to pay more. than a certain
stipulated price for biittcrfat. .

I beg to say that l have no such iii—
sti'iictions nor has the government given
this concern any such instructions that
i know of. Your letter is quite a surprise
to me as I have no recollection of ever
making such a statement that I had a
copy of such ll’lSll‘lK‘ilOliS. I have taken
this matter up with our superintendent
of our cream stations. i thought possibly
be mav have had such instructions sent
him by Mr. McKay, Secretary of the
American AHHiit‘izltloli of Creamery But—
ter Manufneturci's, but he has never
heard of any such ruling.

\Vill you kindly advise me by return
mail where you got the idea that I' had
issued any such iiistruct’ons? We are
sending out our prices to our station
agents based on the t‘hicago market, the
same as all other buyers.

Kindly give me more information as to
what you mean by the so—called set price
for the week ending November 2iith.

’l‘owar \Vayiie (‘ouiity Creamery.
Wm. .l. Kennedy.
President and Gen, Mgr.

Our Letter to the Government

December 12, 1917
U. S. Food Administration, _
Dairy Division
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen: Is it true that the Gov-
ernment has the authority or is attempt—
ing to usurp authority to dictate to the
creamery companies thruout the country
what they shall pay farmers for butter—

\

fat? There has just recently come to
our attention a. notice sent out by a De-
tr01t creamery concern to one of our
subscribers, advising him that the Gov-
ernment had ordered them not to pay
more than 44c per pound for butterfat
for the week ending November 20.
We would appreciate an early and com-
plete reply.
Very truly yours,
FAL-W Michigan Business Farming.

FOOD ADMINISTRATION,
Washington

. . ' December 15, 1917
Editor Michigan Business Farming,

Mt. Clemens, -Mich.

Dear Sir:_ We are in receipt of your
communication of December 12 asking if
it ‘IS true that the Government has auth-
ority_or is attempting to usurp authority
to dictate to_ the Creamery Companies
throughout the country what they shall
pay for butter fat. In reply will say that
it is not true. The Government is not at-
tempting to dictate to the Creamery
Companies throughout the country what
they shall pay farmers for butter fat. We
would thank you to send us the notice
your letter refers to.

Awaiting same, we are,

. Very truly yours,
United States Food Administration,
By George E. Haskel.

Our Reply to Mr. Kennedy’s Letter
of Dec. 15th

Mr. W. J. Kennedy,
Pres. 'l‘owar’s Wayne County Creamery,
Detroit, Michigan.

M y dear Sir: There is no doubt a mis-
understanding on the part of some one
concerning a statement supposed to have
been made by your company that you
were forbidden by the government to pay
more than a stipulated price for butter
fat. 1 quote as follows from a letter
sent out under date of November 13 by
your butter department:

(See letter No. 2)

I shall be pleased to have you advise
me at your earliest convenience the ex—
act meaning of the above letter, and in
what manner the subscriber who referred
it to us and we ourselves have misun—
derstood its tone.

Very truly yours,
FAL-W Michigan Business Farming.

Mr. Kennedy Makes a Confession

TOVVAR “'AYNE COUNTY CBEAMER’Y

Detroit, December 22, 1917.
Editor Michigan Business Farming,
Mt. Clemens, Mich.

Dear Sir: Replying to your favor of
Dec. 18th, beg to say that i hawe made a
complete investigation of the facts as
outlined in your letter and 1 find that
our Mr. Atkinson, manager of our Butter
Department did send out a letter such as
you state in your letter.

In taking this matter up with our Mr.
Atkinson he states that there was a med-
ipg called in \Vashiiigton by Mr. l‘laskel
of the gutter Manufacturers to give ti 1
Food .-\dministratioii suggestions as t
what could be done to cut out the expense
of duplication of statiiiis, commissions,
etc. and also to offer suggestions that
would reduce the price of butter to the
consumers in the city.'

lIiifortiinately this concern was not rep-
resented as the writer was tied up at
the time with the milk investigation in
Detroit which lasted live. days, so that I
could not be :it both places at one time.

Shortly after this meeting in “lashing-
ton. the Swift (Q i‘~iiipaiiy of Alma, Mich—
igan, sent out the enclosed letter to all
the t‘l't‘tilllcries operating in the State
and who are iiicinhers of the Michigan
(‘reainery and lliittcr ()wners’ Associa-
tion. (Ill i.‘.‘i*i]>t of this letter, our Mr.
Atkinson took it for granted that this
was the result. of the meeting of the Food
Administration and consequently sent a
copy of the Swift letter to all our stzi‘
tions.

I have instructed ouiMMr. Atkinson to
get his authority direct from the head—
quarters iii the future before he sends
letters of this nature to any station men.
Had this matter been brought to my at-
tention. i would have immediately taken
the matter up with Mr. George Haskel of
the Food Administration to have these
facts verified before sending out the let-
ter. ‘

I trust this explanation will be satis-
factory to you and if I can be of any
further service to you, do not hesitate to
write me.

Yours very truly,
Towar Wayne County Creamery,
. J. Kennedy,
WJK-L President and Gen. Mgr.

Q. .- 29. Howidngghave you owned"

State value of V personal

Creamery Department.- ' -

' , November 10. 1917;
Detroit Creamery 00.,

Detroit, Mich. .,
Attention Mr. Ross .
Gentlemen: As you undoubtedly have
read, the creamery companies are now op-
erating under lidense from the Federal
Government since the first of November.

Want to call your attention to one ar- .

ticular requirement in this law w ich
states that variation of price is not per—
erating under license from the Federal
mitted by a creamery- between two pomts.

Asthere is quite a heavy penalty at-
tached, both for the agent and for the
principal, we must insist both for your
interests and ours that you pay only the
price sent you each week from this of-
fice no more and also no less, regardless
of what your competition is paying.

‘If you find that your price is out of
line with your competition. get in touch
with this office promptly. Butterfat pric-
es are made on Saturdays, and as we are

 

more centrally located it is possible that ~

certain' Detroit creameries will not get
their prices to their agents. With .the
present mail service, before Tuesday
morning: so if you find on Tuesday that
your price is still out of line, get in touch
with this office before taking any step to
advance price or to lower it.
Yours respectfully,
Swift & Company.

JEC-ES J. E.

And the end is not yet. MIQHIGAN
BUSINESS FARMING wants an explan«
ation of this deliberate falsehool that
has been set afoot by Swift & Com-
pany to keep the price of butterfat
down. And if we are not mistaken,
the senate investigating committee
which has been showing considerable
interest in the affairs of Swift & Com-
pany and other big packing houses,
will want some disclosures also. Just

watch for future developments.

WEST MICHIGAN WHEAT
IS UP THREE CENTS

(Continued from page 1)

correspondingly high in other sec-

tions.

Knowing that the government had
the farmer’s interests in view when
it established the minimum price on
wheat, and that it was intended that
country elevators should receive only
a normal profit on wheat transactions,
we promptly laid the above case be
fore the U. S. Food Administration
Grain Corporation, requesting thhem,
if they had the power to do so, to com-
pel western Michigan dealers to raise
their wheat prices to the level of those
prevailing in other sections of the
country, similarly situated with re-
spects to markets, etc. The Grain
Corporation showed great interest in
the case, and advised us that the price
of No. 2 Red Wheat in Grand Rapids
should be $2.127/Q. They promised to
take the matter up immediately with
the Voight Milling Company, who, it
would appear, has a virtual control
over the grain markets of that section
of the state, practically dictating what
the country elevators shall pay for
grain.

Following an exchange of corres-
pondence upon the subject, the Grain
Corporation advised us on December
21st, as above.

If No. 2 Red Wheat is worth $21274;
per bushel in the Grand Rapids mar-
ket as compared with the Detroit quo—
tation of $2.17, M. B. F. knOWS no
reason why the dealers of that section
should not be compelled to pay that
price. .To a certain extent, the gov-
ernment finds it possible to prevent un-
fair practices by dealers in wheat and
other farm commodities, thru the pow-
er of license, but dealers who are so
inclined find it comparatively easy to
show that their costs of doing busi-
ness is too high to pay the price rec-
ommenrlrv1 b" the government. This
is no doubt the case in the Kent dis-
trict, and it is not probable that the
Grain Corporation can secure any fur-
ther advance in the price. However,
a half loaf. is better than none, and
even an extra three cents per bushel

‘ means something to the average farm-

er this year.

M. B..F. acknowledges the indebt-
edness of its readers to Mr. H. D. Im-
rie, 2nd Vice President of the Grain
Corporation for his efforts in bringing
about this advance. '

       

  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


   

n-
at

1t
[1.

le
1-
5.
1t

U1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N 2 Rd 2.17 2.15 2.25
I: 3 Rod 2.14 2.12 2.22
No. 2 White 2.15 . 2.13 2.23
No.2 2503011 2.15 2.13 2.23

 

Mills are running to capacity at pres-
ent but recent storms and adverse
weather conditions have delayed move-
ment of wheat and at the time millers

have experienced difficulty in securing‘

the necessary additional supplies,
which are purchased from day to day
to keep-stocks on hand up to normal.
The general condition of wheat now
being offered is better than at any

time this season. The greater por-
tion of deliveries are grading up well .

and it would seem that the poorer
grades had been moved first, a good
idea.

Canadian wheat is coming into the
United States through every customs
district on the northern border in
greatly increasing volume. For the
nine months ending with September
this country imported from Canada
21,490,269 bushels more than 14,000,-
000 bushels which came in free after
April 16. This was the date on which
Canada removed its import duty on
wheat which resulted automatic-ally in
letting Canadian wheat enter the U-
nited States free under our tariff law.
During these nine months wheat flour
imports reached the total of 403,270
bbls., of which 297,000 bbls. came in
free against a total of 157,279 bbls.,
during the same period in 1916. The
heaviest of this traffic was through
Buffalo. Some Canadian flour is also
moving to the west coast. American
exports of wheat, for the twenty-three
weeks ending Dec. 6, were 111,089,008
bushels,‘ against 169,565,178 bushels
during the corresponding period last
year. This is a considerable reduc-
tion but it should be remembered that
much of the wheat is being made into
flour and transported that way to save
cargo room. Exports to Europe must
be increased however, and every bush-
el of wheat in this country and Cana-
da will be needed before the coming
of another crop.

 

 

GRADE Detroit Chicago New York

 

 

 

 

go. 3 tidbits

tan a .82 .79 l- . -
No. 3White ~ .81 1-2 .78 2 .30 1 2
No.4 White .80 '-2 .76 1-2.89 l- 2

 

The oat market has been rather er—
ratic for some time. The Governr
ment decided to remove the embargo
on grain going east and for a time
this was taken as a bull factor and
there was spirited bidding for grain.
In the course of a day or so, however,
this movement was discontinued when
it was seen that it was not going to
have any decided effect on conditions
generally. Since that time the mar-
ket has been more' or less of a see
saw with a weaker feeling prevailing
on the Chicago board. Chicago deal-
ers believe the movement of oats will
increase and are working carefully on
that basis.

The price has worked up a little,

' having remained at a somewhat high-

er figure since the flurry caused by the
first lifting of the embargo. De iver-
ies on December sales are slow and
movement of grain is much restricted
by shipping conditions. Considerable
export business has been done via
the Gulf since the embargo was placed
on shipments to Atlantic ports. The
Allied governments must have around

12,000,000 bushel of oats per month

and they must either secure them
from this country or Canada. Prices
in Canada are higher than those'pre-
vailing in this country and as‘a nat-
ural result the bulk of the buying is
done here. The movement from Ar-
gentine is restricted by lack of ocean
tonnage and this surplus is turned
our way. The question right now is
will shipments from country points
increase sufficiently to overcome the
existing demand or will present con-
ditions continue with a slight ten-

  

lllllllll|lllllllllllllllllllllllllIllilllillllIllllll|llIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll|lllllllllllllllllIllIlllllllIlllllllll|lllllIllllllllIll|lll|lIIl|lllllllllllllIll]llllllllIllllllllllllllllllllll|l|llIllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIlllllllllll'

 

 

   

 

 

lllllllllllllllllll“

 

 

 

week or so, until stocks clean up.

restrictions make local trading slow.

conditions exist.

better grades of hay wanted.

iii

dency for the price to work just a.
little higher from week to week until
such time as spring weather condi-
tions increase the movement.

 

 

GRADE Detroit Chicuo New York
No. ZYcllov 2.08 1-2 Nominal 1.70
No.3 3Yel| ow L07 Nominal 1.69
No. 2mm 2.03 1.65

CHICAGO WIRE—Last few days have seen increased demand for good tim-
othy and No. 1 mixed. Other grades somewhat slow. Beans quiet. Potatoes
not showing mud: strength and condition will perhaps remain same for next

PITTSBURG WIRE—Somewhat better inquiry for potatoes but embargo
Still some frosted stock coming and some
ing at a great reduction. Hold potatoes back until more satisfactory shipping

DETROIT SPECIAIl—‘A fairly good demand for potatoes but supplies amply
sufficient. General produce market in satisfactory condition. More of the

llllllll|IllllllllllllllIll|llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll|IIllIlllllllllllllllHillIlllllllllllllIllllIllllllllllllll|llllIlllllIllllllllllIll|Illlllllllllll|IlllIlllllllIllll[l|||IlllllllIlllllllllllHll|l[llllIll|lll[IlllIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllh

 

 

 

 

 

 

llIlIll[IIIl[lllllIllllIIlllllllllllllllllllllllll3"

1
I

 

lllllllllllllll lllll

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

L—Llllllllll

The movement of corn is increasing
as shippers make use of the 10.000
cars delivered to western points by the
Government. The cold weather of a
week ago also helped the quality and
receipts at originating points show a

great improvement. It looks now as
though there was more good grain

in the country than was at first sup-

posed. During the first week or so

of the present season we stated it as
our opinion that corn would not move
freely until after the first of the year
or perhaps along the middle of Febru-
ary. This has largely proven to be
the case. The corn which has moved
has been such as must find a market
quickly or spoil on the growers hands.
A lot of this stuff has been disposed of
for local feeding purposes and to dri-
ers and the balance of the movement
should show better quality and no
doubt will, judging by the condition of
offerings during the past week.

The final Government crop repor:
gives this year’s corn crop as 3.159,~
494,000 bushels, as compared with 2,-
566,977,000 bushels last year, a gain of
592,567,000 bushels. But we must also
take into consideration the fact that
this 1917 crop was about as poor in

’ quality as we have had in years .Mnch

of the corn will never reach market.
At the same time we have a. great sur-
plus over last year and when this gets.
to moving freely it would seem that
lower prices might be expected. There
is a good strong export demand how-
ever, greater than ever before, and
with an increase in occ: carriers,
something we all hope for, this for-
eign trade should prove a big factor
in keeping prices at :1 level above
normal for such a crop as we have this
year.

We are receiving many inquiries

TilllllllllilllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllHillllIlllllllllllllllllllllll"

from our readers as to where good

seed corn may be had. Offerings so

far have been few and here is a good
chance for those who have seed corn
to do a little advertising and help out
their friends. We feel that growers
are Wise in giving this matter atten-
tion at this time and as soon as we get
a more definite line on the supply we
will be lad to do all we can to assist
them. .f a supply of old corn is avail-
able at any point it should be con-
served by all means. We reproduce
here part of an article on this sub-
ject, by C. C. Massie of Minneapolis:

“Much of the seed corn that is to be
used next spring must be taken from
the supply of old corn, where any such
supply is available; and it is of the ut-
most importance that such corn should
be saved, tested, and carefully stored.
Unfortunately, there is very little old
corn to be obtained and consequently
every farmer should test whatever
corn he has and select all that he can
possibly use for ced. He must select
the good looking cars of corn and im-
mediately examine them by breaking
the cobs in two to see that no mould
has attacked the germ. The sound

’ears should be carefully dried out,

even if it is necessary to put them in
the parlor, so priceless will they be
found when seeding time arrives. Ev-
ery ear should be tested for germin-
ation and all available ears of seed
corn stored in a dry place so that the
kernels may be seasoned, and saved
for next year's planting."

RYE

3.13331“? M is; MM». ~~3;...I:j "i

   
  

There is very little rye moving and
the market continues unchanged and
dull. During the past week the de-
mand 1111s lessened greatly unless there
is a change in the near future there
is very liable to be 21 decline in price.
Elevators rcporl quite a siOck 011 band.
in the; 1ggrcg11tc and [M1 is incrcas—
ingfir owing to tho lmk of shipping 1'21—
cililics. it is liable to lllOVO in vol-
ume later on and about all that can
save the market is :1 greatly increase
demand. It may be howevsr. that the
lull in the demand is only temporary
that the buying will increase aftcr the

 

 

[lllllllllllllllllll IIIIIIIIIIIIII .nnmlm l.“13l"'h Hllll'llllllllllllh ,1.111111a".11.1. JIIV‘I‘ldl'llilY'” """"" “““' . ....

is Your Biggest P1 oblem one
of Production or of Markehng"

 

 

vestment?

  

production?

“’ithout first simplifying the present system of marketing do you think it
would be good business for the farmers of the United States to double their

Michigan Business Farming wants your ideas on this important subject. Tell
us in your own words which problem you think ought to be solved FIRST, the
problem of producton or the problem of marketing.

We offer no prizes. Every letter will be published, and the exchange of ideas
will be worth do1lars to every man reading this paper. \Vrite today.

“ Is your biggest problem one of production or marketing?”

I-l|IlllllllllllllllllllllllllnlllllllllIllllflllllllllllllmlllllllllllllllllllflllllllllllllllllll|llllllllllIllllllllllllllllllflllllllllllllllIllllllllllllUllllllllllllIlllIllIllIll|llIlllllillllllllllllllllillllllH|IlllllllllllIlllllmlllllllllllllllllllii

Michigan Business Farming wants to know whether the immediate problem .7
of the farmers of Alichigan have to do with production or marketing. :

Do you think it possible for you to increase your production enough to put
your farm on a permanently profitable basis under present marketing conditions.

What do you think would happen if every farmer of the United States should
increase his production to the maximum?

Do you think that you are getting enough of the consumer’s dollar to pay
you for the chances you take. and to insure you a profit on your labor and 111-

'l'llllll‘lllrl‘ "W “Hill l‘

 

EHlllllllllIllllllllillllllllllllllIHH’HH‘llilill‘lillil“

 

holidays when people get back to war
time fare and increase the consump-
tion of rye products.

The report shows that up to Nov. 17
there was threshed in Michigan 4,469,-
241 bushels of rye, and a considerable
portion of this grain has moved from
growers hands but there is still a large
amount waiting transportation to pri-
mary markets. This grain, and some
still to be threshed, must find a mar-
ket and will need a greater demand

than now exists if it is to maintain

its present position.

 

 

 

 

GRADE Detroit Chicago New York
C. H. P 7.50 8.25 8.40
Prime 7.45 8.20 8.33
Red Kidneys 8.00 9.00 9.00

 

 

 

We are constantly receiving letters
from our friends over the state ask-
ing our advice as to the advisability
of holding for higher prices. To all
of them we must say that this is a ques-
tion which must be dealt with by cac h
individual sepaIately. Many condi-
tions enter into this p1oposition and
no bud and fast advice can be handed
out to suit all cases collel t1vcly To
judge this matter the first thing to
take into consideration is the condi-
tion of the stock We are not advising
anyone to hold wet beans To do so
is to invite disaster Beans whhh do
not contain a great percentage of mois-
ture may be held during the cold
weather. but should be disposed of
before the first warm wealhcr of
spring. This may seem like trilling
advice to some of our rcnders‘who
have given the bean situation plenty
of study from year to year and real-
ize the importance of watching the con-
dition of their stock. But, we can see
from many of the letters which are
coming in here that this advice is
needed right now. W'e say now to our
readers who have wet stock and who
have written that they will hold until
next summer if necessary. don’t at-
tempt to do it unlcss you have some
way of drying your bcans.

We have seen some beans delivered
which were actually frozen in chunks.
This. class of stock cannot be sold and
run through thc dricrs any too quick-
ly. We believe the time will come
when some arrnngcnmnt will bc made
for community driers to meet just
such conditions as exist this year.
lut until that time comes. discourag-
ing as it may bc. the best thing to do
is to get such stock off our hands at
the bcst possiblc price. it will rapid-

ly dcicriorzitc in the bins. oven in
cold \ycufhcr. Thcrc is :1 lot of such
stock in Michigm this year.

Vv’c have rcprulcdly stated it as our
bclicf that the grout, majority of Mich—
igan bczln growers must have not less
1112111 $8 per bushcl for their stock in
order to come out with any profit ill.
all. We believe the market will even-
tually reach that figure and that good
sccd beans will be worth :1 groin deal
more in the sping. if you should be
so fortunate this year as to 111.141 beans
containing only a slightly increased
percentage of moisture, spread them
out so‘ that the air can have a chance
at them. Most growers have a space
somewhere where this may be done.
But unless you are sure they are dry
enough to keep, don‘t attempt to leave
them in the bins indefinitely. By
spreading beans out and using a rake
on them frequently the moisture con-
tent may be greatly reduced. We have
followed this system many times in
the past, with good results.

There is a good strong undertone
to the bean market at present, not-
withstanding the bear reports being
handed out. If your beans are in con-
dition to keep, don’t let this kind of
talk bother you. There will be a
steady market for beans right along,
and the wet stock will move first so
that conditions should constantly grow
more promising. Growers in other
states have their eye on the situation
and they will be looking for a little
better price the same as Michigan
growers. Let’s see how things move
after the first of the year.

    

fetter"? s .1 ,1

—:.—.-—*-.-~T.-,:~,; ; .


 

 

 

No. 1 mam
ma... Timothy rm Timothy

Detroit 24 so 25 oo 23 so ‘ 24 oo 22 so 23 so
Cine," _ 27 23 oo 26 so 27 so 26 oo 27 oo
qua-nun 29 oo 29 25 28 so 29 oo 29 oo 28 so
Pittsburgh 29 so so oo 27 so 23 7s 27 oo 28 00

New York :26 oo 27 oo 24 7s 25 so 23 24 oo

 

Richmond ‘31 00 32 0031 00 31 50 31 00 31 50
No. 1 No. 1 ‘ No. 1
“‘fh“ Light Mixed ClovorMixed Clover
Detront 23 50 24 20 00 21 00 19 00 20 00
Chic!” 20 22 00 19 00 21 00 18 50 20 50

Cincinnati 28 50 28 75 28 00 28 50 28 25 28 50
Pittsburgh 28 28 50 29 00 730 00 29 00 30 00

 

 

New York 21 23 19 50 210018 20
Richmond 30 oo 31 29 oo 29 so 28 so L

Hay at all middle western points
remains firm and steady. There is
no let up in the demand and while sup
cplies have increased to some extent,
still they are not in excess of the de-
mand. No material change in the De-
troit market and dealers feel satisfied
there will be none until such time
as supplies are greatly increase.

Chicago reports offerings still re-
stricted and all arrivals being taken
up quickly. Values are held firm at
the present level and are expected to
continue so well into the new year at
least.

The market at St. Louis is very
strong for all kinds of hay and while
prices remain about stationarl, still
they are relatively better, consider-
ing the poorer class of hay which has
been arriving there and selling at the
top. There is a good demand for
all grades of clover and alfalfa. those
grades being in the majority on that
market. Many shipments from the
north have gone to St. Louis to take
advantage of the market on the coars-
er kinds. ‘

Arrivals at Cincinnati during the
past week have increased considerably
of many cars held back in transit.
For a time the market seemed to weak
en but rallied later and at the time
of writing this article conditions are
again c10se to normal. The demand
there shows no sign of decreasing and
until such time as shipments greatly
increase, which will perhaps be far in
the future. present prices should rule.

Looking farther east we note that
Pittsburgh is having a great deal of
trouble to move cars with the Pitts—
burgh district. A special permit is
necessary and this has a depressing
effect on the market. It has caused
demurrage to accrue in on cars and
in order to get away from higher
charges on this account. values in some
cases have been reduced.

Supplies have continued to increase
on the New York market but the price
is being maintained remarkably well.
The best shipments are about over
for the, season and embargoes are
bound to cause some trouble. We
look for lighter supplies on that mar-
ket and perhaps somewhat better pric-
es later on. There has been verv lit-
tle really No. 1 bay available there.
There is a good demand for rye straw.
the right kind of offerings selling at
$17 and some of them as high as $16.

 

.1 *me

“a:

" ‘ "' - art-images ‘..

earners:

 

 

 

 

M h t Choice round 1 Medium Round
7' e 5 i white-sacked t while—sacked
Detroit 2.15 cwt. 2.05 cwt.
Chicago 1.75 1.60
Cincinnati 2.20 2.10
New York 2.25 2.15
Pittsburgh 1.75 1.60
Norfolk,Vn. 2.25 r 2.10

 

Our conservation with potato dcal-
ers during the past week, and our
own investigfiations leads us to think
that the turn of the year will see
better conditions in the pototo market.
We believe that much of the frosted
stock has already moved and been
disposed of. With this out of the way
the consuming public. and dealers gen-
erally will be more willing to buy in
larger quantities. We have had a
slow market now for some time and
the pendulum should be about ready to
swing back.

Conditions are becoming much more
settled and buyers now have a fairly
good line on the actual crop. They are
beginning to realize that, even though
the crop did give promise if surpass-
ing the expected yield, still the gener-
al condition is such as to greatly cut
down the amount available for com-
merce.

In many sections the tubers show
a great deal of decay and this will be-
come more noticable from now on.

 

generally believed at this time... The
high cost of meat and other articles
of food will increase the potato con
sumption greatly. ,

It is well to take all these points in-
to consideration before letting stock
go at a sacrifice. Let’s have faith in
the potato market and let others know
it. There has been altogether too
much bear talk. With so much froz-
en stock on the market and so much
talk of a bumper crop, it was the most
natural thing that we should have a
slow market. The wonder is that it;

has been able to keep up as it has.
Conditions are going to improve with
the new year and should keep on im-
proving as spring draws nearer.

 

Onions are steady and firm at a-
bout the same range of prices as ex-
isted last week. No. 1 yellows sell
at $2.50 to $3.00 per 100-lb. sack.The
Detroit newspapers are quoting onions
at a higher figure than this but we
find on investigation that the prices
as given here are about in line with
what can actually be secured on sales
at the present time. We try to give
our rcaders the correct prices so that
they may not be disappointed with re-
turns on shipments as they WW” be
at the present time, basing their ex-
pectations on the quotations 0t DetrOIt
daily papers.

or

~33

r AM“

 

The week has seen active buying
of apples but shippers and dealers
generally had foreseen such condi-
tions and the supply has been at all
times equal to the demand. Some
apples have moved out of storage to
supply the demand for fancy box stuff.
and barrel stock has found a large sale
with stores and dealers who cater to
the trade in small quantities. A cer—
tain class of trade has been calling
for the poorer grades, the demand
for these perhaps being stronger dur-
ing the present week than at any time
since early fall. This has enlivened
holders of this class of stock to rid
themselves of stock which was caus-
ing them some worry. Retail sh’p—

ments of apples generally are falling
off and it is only a question of a very
short time until the greater portion of
Michigan stock will have moved, with
the exception of what will be held at
loading points for the early spring
trade.

5:3

   

Detroit quotations on feed remain
about the same as those of last week.
The demand continues to take care of
all offerings and should there be any
additional demand after the inventor—
ies are off the hands of the buyers,
ther is very liable to be a further ad-
vance in prices, This is true of wheat
products especially while the tenden-
cy of corn products may be downward
should that grain work lower as some
anticipate. Quotations at Detroit, job-
bing lots, 100—1b. sacks: Bran, $44;
standard middlings, $47; fine midd-
lings, $50; cracked corn, $84; coarse
cormneal. $77; chopped $60 per ton.

Eastern markets, while reporting
a somewhat lighter demand the past
week, remain firm owing to small of-
ferings. Dealers are not anxious to
force sales by concessions, under pres—
ent conditions. As a result. values
are well maintained. Quotations at
Philadelphia are as follows:

Winter bran. 100-lb. sacks, spot and
to arrive. $45.50 GD 46 per ton. Spring
bran, 100-lb. sacks, spot and to arrive,
$45 GD 45.50 per ton. White middlings
100-1b. sacks, spot and to arrive. $55 ((7)
56 per ton. Standard middlings, 100-
lb. sacks. to arrive, $45.50 @ 46 per
ton. Red dog, 140-lb. sacks, to arrive,
$61.50 ((17 62 per ton. Shorts. 100-lb.
sacks, to arrive, $45.50 @ 46 per ton.
Mixed feeds, 100-lb. sacks, to arrive,
$45.50 @ 46 per ton.

Thisfone thing as... is filing to: direct -
the Michigan‘crOp much more than is.

\ , . _,.,, ,. ..

. , - Barley , .» *

Advices from Duluth indicate de-
mand has been very active, looking to-
ward supplies before the close of navi-
gation. The price advanced from 7
to. 10c per hd. Navigation has now
closed for the season'and supplies in
elevators at the head of the lakes has
been just about entirely cleaned up.
The Milwaukee barley market contin-
ues very strong at about the former
range of prices. Choice barley test-
ing around 48 to 50 pounds per bu.
is quoted at $1.45 to $1.48. Buffalo
quotations run $1.52 to $1.55.

The recurrent rumor that barley

flour is being milled in increasing
quantity makes interesting the an-
nouncement in the Chicago market
that several mills here have bought
one car each for experimental purpos-
es. It has been known for some time
that Minneapolis mills were grinding
barley and with the considerable sup-
ply of milling barley on hand it is a
very wise move, as the resultant flour
is proving entirely satisfactory.

Clover Seed

The Toledo seed market is firm and
steady at prevailing prices. Much seed
is being sold abroad at prices greatly
in excess of normal and the demand
continues strong. Current quotations
are as follows:

Prime, cash, old $16, new $16 17.
December $16 17. January $16 17, Feb-
ruary $16 20. March $15 97. Alsike:
Prime, cash, $14 30. December $14 30,
February $14 40. March $14 50, Tim—
othy: Prime, cash. old $2 60, new $3.-
)7, December $2 67, March $2 87.

BUTTER

Under a continued short supply of
good fresh creamery firsts the butter
markets of the country have advanc-
ed slightly. At many points the con-
densaries are paying such a price for
milk that they are unable to get out
anywhere near their usual amount of
butter for this time of the year. Many
of them closed altogether for the win-
ter months and it looks as though we
would have a great shortage of fresh
butter from now until spring. Detroit
is quoting 47 1-2c for fresh creamery
firsts and sales are reported at even
higher prices fancy offerings. Extras
are reported at even {is high as 49c.
Storage creamery is quoted at 44c per
lb.

Eastern points report a good strong
trade on all grades and the movement
of a great, deal of storage butter on ac-
count of the shortage of fresh. Fan—
cy extras are quoted in New York at,
50 122 617 51c. Extras 50c and firsts
49c per lb.

 

Cheese

There has been a good export out-
let all week for cheese and holiday
buying seems to have increased the
domestic movement. Detroit quotes
the market as follows:

Michigan flats. 2?, 1-2c; New York
fiats, 25c; brick. 27 1—4c; long horns,
27 1-4c; Michigan daisies, 24 1-2c;
Wisconsin daisies. 25 l-2c; Wisconsin
double daisies, 25 1-4c; domestic Swiss
35 40c for prime to fancy; limburg—
er, 28 (a? 29c per lb.

1"!
Cl
0
05

There is no change in the egg mar-
ket worth considering. The. supply
of fresh continues away under the de-
mand and there is no immediate pros-
pect of any increase in shipments. If
anything,r could be said other than has
already been pointed out: in these col—
umns it, is that. the shortage of fresh
stock is causing a much needed move-
ment, of held stock and this will have
a beneficial effect on the market in the
weeks to come. ‘W'ith even a moder-
ately plentiful supply of fresh the
movement, of held is restricted and
as this Stock must come on the market
eventually it would be sure to effect
prices later on. It is a good sign to
see it moving now. The first of Feb-
ruary will see an greater supply and
this will increase toward spring as
is always the case. With a good share
of the held out of the way the mar-
kets generally will be in better shape
to pay the price for the fresh.

     

 

 

 

 

 

LIVE WT. Detroit Clficuo New York
Turkey 30-31 30-31 28-30
Ducks 26-27 24-26 25-27
Geese 25-26 23-25 27-28
Springer: 23-24 23-24 24-25
Hens 19-22 19-23 22-24

No. 2 Grade 2 to 3 Cents Less

 

 

Toward the end of last week poul-

try arrivals were heavy on all mar-
kets but the demand increased greatly,
even more than Was expected-and no
great surplus of supplies has accumu-
lated as was the case during Thanks-
giving week. .In fact, under the spir-
ited buying the price advanced. This
was expectedly noticeable on geese,
ducks and turkeys. During the early
part of last week is was feared there
would be a shortage of geese, owing
to the strong demand and the limit-
ed supply. It soon became apparent
however that shippers had been wait-
ing the opportune time shipments in-
creased toward the close of the week,
but there was at no time a noticeable
surplus. The same was true of ducks
only the supply was more even thru
out the week. Turkeys took a. very
good advance and held it steadily de-
spite the arrival of good sized ship-
ments.

The market on springers and hens
was brisk all week and has contin-
ued good so far this week, supplies
being secured for the New Years fes-
tivities. Shippers who were careful
to put, their fowls in good condition
and get them in at the right time were
more than repaid for their trouble.
Well finished fowls were in demand
especiallv with those who did not feel
able to buy the more expensive geese
and turkeys. We saw some guineas
sold at a sacrifice because the shipper
had picked them. Guineas to be sold
on the general market should be ship—
ped with the feathers on. The meat
looks too dark to be attractive to buy-
ers, after the feathers have been re-
moved. Where sale is made direct
to hotels or‘other special trade, of
course it is proper to remove the feath-
ers, not otherwise.

 

 

GRADE Detroit Chicago Bnflnlo
Steers, good to prime 11 50-12 00 11 00-14 00 13 00-13 50
Steen,com. to fair 9 00-1000 9 00-13 00 12 00-12 25
Heifers,xoodtoprime 8 50- 8 75 7 00- 9 00 7 50- 9 50
Cows, average 7 50- 8 00 7 00- 8 00 7 25- 8 50
Cannery—Cutters 5 50- 6 00 5 00- 6 50 5 00- G 00
Bulls, avenge 7 00- 7 50‘ 7 00- 8 00 7 25- 8 00
Ven|.1nirto good ‘13 00—15 '”‘14 50-16 00v" 570-15 25

 

 

 

The cattle market during the Christ-
mas week was just a little slow at
times and especially so on light stuff,
of which there was usually a free
supply. Outside buyers have been nu-
merous and as they are able to get
cars more easily than for several
weeks, they proved active competitors
on the (‘hicago market until such time
as their wants were satisfied. Real
prime lots were scarce all week. On
Thursday one load of prime steers.
averaging upward to 1400 lbs. sold
at $14.25. Two loads. nearly 1300 lbs.
went at $14.00, white some . averag-
ing upward of 1500 lbs. but lacking
in finish, sold at $13.35. A few other
loads went at $12.50 and $13.05. A
good share of the run was of the $11
@1150 kind, although $12.00 caught
a lot of them. Many of the other less
desirable offerings cleared $10.00 to
$10.75.

The market for cows and heifers
was irregular all this week, but a. gen-
erally better demand for cattle and
somewhat lighter receipts toward the
end of the week caused a better feel-
ing for this class. The Bull trade
showed uneven tendencies all week.
(‘hoice heavy bolognas found a fairly
market, but the plain. lighter kinds at
times found a draggy market.

Rather an uncertain market has
prevailed for canners and cutters. The
supply most days was large enough
to meet all demand and then some.
One. or two days saw the run a little
lighter and buying more spirited. Can-
ners of fairly good quality sold around
$5.75 to $5.90. Cutters of plain fair
quality sold around $6.25 to $6.40.

When buyers were able to get cars
the demand for stockers and feeders
was fairly good. Receipts were rath-
er liberal at times and toward the
end of the week the grade was mostly
medium to plain. Good to choice feed-

 

 

 

 

     

 
       
   

 

2;.
"Y

  
  
    
  
   
   
   
   
  
 
  
 

    


  

  
 

 

 

It?

in

 

IEICHIGA’INTDUSI'R‘ESS:FARMING

 

 

This column has been established to
give responsible breeders an opportun-
ity to advertise their stock to thou-
sands of business farmers who cannot
be reached thru any other medium.
The department will be gradually en—
larged, and editorial features of par—
ticular interest to breeders of fine
stock will be added. Every breeder in
the state should be listed here. “'6
have made a special low rate on breed-
ers’ advertising, and as an indication
of the faith in the “pull" of our ad“
vertising columns we will give any
responsible breeder one free insertion
of his ad. providing it does not run
more than one inch. Prove to your own
satisfaction, without .cost flint it pays
to advertise in M. B. .

 

 

 

0 l C BOARS and SOW'S Of fine

quality. 1’ IiI es reasonable.
Registered f1 e9 and will ship C O D. Floyd
H. Banister Splingport MiI:.h

 

130A RS

IIIGISTERED IIAI‘I PSHIRE
John ‘V.

and bred gilts for sale.
Snyder, R. 4.. St. Johns. Mich.

 

OFFER FOR ltEMAlNDER 0F SEA-

son a limited number of Strong Vigor—
our Registered Shropshire ram lambs,
good size, well covered and ready for
service C. Lemen. Dexter Mich.

 

Howbert Stock Farm .2

Six year old grandd; illghtt‘l‘ of “King of
the Pontiacs" from It 231 -lb granddaugh-
ter of “Sadie Vale (Honcordias l’aul— lle-
kol” that has 21 .\.lt.(), daughters. To
freshen Feb. 20 18 from “Maplecrest De-
kol Hartog,” a 30—11). son of “Friend Hen-
gcrveld Dekol Butter Boy." that has
many high yearly record daughters.
\Vcight 1200 lbs., mostly black. Price,
$200.00 F.0d?” cratcd. Howard ’1‘. Ev—
ans. Eau Claire, Mich.

 

Registered Hogs for Sale!

lIl‘ltOt‘ JERSEYS—3 Boars 10 weeks
old. Sire, Hoosier, J. t). (1., 77465; Dam.
Vcdna, Austindale, 210500.

 

HAMPSHIRIIIS 2 Hours, l sow, Aug—
ust farrow; Sire, Goble, 20907; Dam,
George’s Girl 1st, 82202.

Ready for immediate delivery. Please,

write for full description. All stock guar~

anteed.

HOMESTEAD FARMS, Bloomingdale, Mich.

 

ARRIII‘I) ROCK COCKERELS for sale,

$2.00 to $5.00 each for strain with
records to 290 eggs a year. Circular free.
Fred Astling, Constantine, Mich,

BARRED ROC l’rize \Ninning stock

Thompson strain. $3 and $1. Yearling
breeding hens, $2. Well Barrcd. Sam
Stadel, Chelsea, Michigan.

 

('0(‘KlI}RlIIIIS from

 

(HIN’S BIG 1HIl.\l"1‘llI‘l'l. BARRED
ltocks are lIcn hatched and Sold on up-
]Il'(l\'I'll $3 to $10 cach. l malt. and it fo-
Inales $12.00. (lood layers: ’(‘irculars,
l’hotos. John Northon, (‘laI-e, Michigan.

 

CHICKS \Ve have sli’ppcd thousands of
day-old chicks each season
snce 1904, different varieties, orders
hooked now for spring delivery, booklet,
stamp appreciated. Frecport Hatchery,
Box 10, Freeport, Mich.

 

JlIlI'l’ll‘IlIlIII lltlllllHHHHIIIIIII‘IIHI‘I l'I‘lli‘tltl‘llll IIIHIII‘Ip do“ I II thi‘I..l.ll|l|ll|llll|l'.

CONSIGN

‘ your

:LIVE STOCK
Clay, Robinson & Co.

Live Stock Commission

Chicago, 111. South St. Paul, Minn.

. South Omaha, Neb. Denver, (‘ olo
Kant-ms City, l‘lo. East liufialo, N.\ . 5
Fort “'orth, TeXIIs.1III~It St. Louis, 111. i
Sioux City, Iowa. lIll l’IIHo, ’l‘exasf

; South St. Joseph, .\1o~ "

manila. ,, I:IIIII:zIIIII‘IIHmIIIIIHH‘iI:“In.“ . I

l"

 

'ltlI llllhlll. IV

 

 

Consign your live StOt‘k shipments to

Erwin, Smith & Johnson

Live Stock Commissicn Salesmen

M. C. Stock Yards, Detroit, Mich.

 

 

 

 

I 11.\\1I‘.1I‘()R S'll F R fIIIm of 86 aIIcs
located in one of the bust giain and p()_
{mo gr t\\|ilL’, sI-I'tions ot IIIIpIeI Iounty,
warIn gI‘IIVI-lly roll, good dwelling house,
iinI- barn. Iii—ll, with basement undeI
entire barn; hog-pen. \111‘91)‘. bed, too]
barn, 5 acres of applc oIIlIaId peaIs,
pcaI-hcs and small fruit 7 III l'“t 4 of wheat
on ground, also 7 acres of Iye och 80
acres of plow land under high state of
cultivation; a bargain at $4,000. UWIIer
wishcs to sell on amount of poor health.
For particulars write Box 82, Dryden,
Mich

 

era‘sold up to $9.00 to $9.50. Medium
to good kinds sold around $8.00 to $8.-
75 and plain grades down to $7.00 and
lower.

"T'TEH’. market was
steady and sales were satisfactory in
most cases. The heavy stuff found
rather a slow market. Plain to av-
erage grades sold up to $15.00 or bet-
ter. -

 

 

GRADE Detroit Chicago But lalo
Heavy 240-290 15 80 16 40 16 30 16 85 16 6516 85
Medium 200 240 15 80 16 40 16 25 16 85 16 50 16 75
Mixed 150- 200 15 6016 20 15 25 15 85 15 5o 16 25
Packers 100- 150 15 20 15 60 14 00 14 50 15 00 16 (0
II... 1004...... II: 0015 75 12 0013 so 15 00 IS 75

 

 

The hog run has been lighter on
all markets during the past week. A
very light run was experienced at, De-
troit and the, market remained firm
and active throughout. During the
latter part of the week, at Chicago,
small packers, shippers and yard trad-
ers bought hogs freely and the market
was inclined to work up just a little
Desirable offerings sold considerably
higher toward the close of the week
but the poorer, light kinds remained
about stationary. The market was
effected also by sharp demand from
eastern markets and active trading
reports from those points. The gen-
eral quality of arrivals for the week
has been only fair.

Conditions appear favorable for the
first of the new year and with a great
deal of the wet corn going in to hogs
the general quality should become
steadily better. At times during the,
fall the offerings have run too much
to poor, under weight, stuff and this
has had rather a bad effect on the gen-
eral condition of the market. The
run at times has been away above nor-
mal, indicating that shippers were an—
xious to get, the stock off their hands.
Under such conditions it is more diffi—
cult to get top prices, the market be'ng
discounted by buyers who note the ten—
dency. They are always quiIk to take
advantage of any anxiety on the part
of shippers to unload during a given
time.

 

 

GRADE Detroit Chicago l Bulfato
Top Lamb: 1650 16.75 t 15 2546.35 l 17 2547.60
Yearling: 155016.00 I 12.50-14.50 , 13.00—15.00
Wethen 9.001050 12.50-12.90 ', 1Z.00-l3.(0
Ewes 9.00~10.0" 10.0911.75 ' l1.5012.00

 

 

 

 

Sheep have been in good demand
all during the past week and receipts
only moderate. Well finished offer-
ings of top lambs continue to hold the,
call. Yearlings have been coming to
all markets only in small lots. Ewes
of good to prime class have found II
ready outlet, and the quality has been
good on most, of the offerings in this
line.

Prime western ewes have sold at
$11.75 or better. Most of the native
ewes sold around $11.50, altho some
sales were reported around $11.77
Inferior to plain kinds sold III‘OIIIIIWI
to $10.50. (‘ulls went at $7.00 and
lower.

Receipts generally were much less
than last week and away short of
those of a year ago for the like period.
This has been accounted for in a way
by the lack of transportation facilit’cs
and a desire on the part of feeders to
add the finishing touches so as to
get, the long price. This shows good
judgment, as the well finished article
is bringing the fancy price now as it,
has not done before in a great while.

 

EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT
PRICES ON FENCE WIRE

The Bond Steel Post, (‘ompanv
claims that, as II result of the gov-
ernment’s fixing a price on steel its
prices will advance the first, of the
year. Do you think it would be better
for me to buy my fence wire now or

. later‘?—~I9'IIlmcrtbcr.

The. Government price on plain wire
has been reduced considerably from
the prices of the independent mills.
There was such irregularity in prices
that it was almost impossible to state
what. the market was prior to the fix—
ing of prices, but it is a fact that 2111
independent manufacturers of wire

generally '

 

 

1?

.fl,

Cow Comfort in Zero Weather

9 Yoocanhoidyourcowstofuilmilkflowduringaooldsntp

. -—ifthey are housed in NatcoBarnsandfed from a Nance Silo.

~ Thadeod—oir spacesin the hollow tile walls keep out the cold
yum: dampnesandfmstfimngathering.

Naleo Hollow Tile

buildings save painting—will not 101, crack or crumble. Will not harbor rats,
mice or other vermin. The glazed dust—fight walls makeiteasytoproducecleao
milk. Natto Hollow Tile is widely used in fire-proofing “skyscrapers"—let the
same maria! safeguard yourslockand reduce yourfire—risk.

Your Infidhgsmlydealerwm
Also writ: asst me for new.
” Factories assure a wide
A and economical distribu-
, . , , tton

  

‘7 l“ “Mill“

u-
If it Ii. I'llfli

.1 ii‘:hlulll my

r

idlyshwyousaml ostteoHollow'meand
Ifiifsmtedm “Nam peg hm" book-

on the 1918 Edition. It's {reel

National Fire Proofing Company

1108 Fulton Building Pittsburgh. P...

"dull: ‘im‘i' ll” H Illlll

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

can he sold on an outside market.

posts, l'urina dairy,

Order II‘crtilizcr now as the supply

Telephone Cherry 202 1

“'ishing you II prosperous New Your

CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION

N. F. SIMPSON, General Manager
323-327 Russell St.

Begin the New Year right by patronizing a Co-operative Business
Organization that is owned exclusively by Business Farmers.

WlI) 11.\.\'l>l.lI) for the shippers account t‘\’tl'_\'1llill;_‘,' l'I’ll't’tl on tho t‘III'm that
l’IlII.\.\‘S (L\l.\<‘lllNlII lll'.‘\' III: ll.\.\‘l>«l‘lI‘I\—
lII‘lI). Send us It pound sample and We

WILL SUPPLY YOU AT WHOLESALE PRICES

lt‘t‘l'lilth‘l'irilil'lt't’F now ready, grass soul.
horse, hog, calf and I'hiI-kon t'ecd, lII'IIII, IIIiIlIlIiIIgs, I-otton
seed meal, corn. paint, wagons and the Diamond and Summit auto tires.

is limited.

will name you priI-I- t‘.o_lI your station.

spraying matcrials, parts grcen t'I-III-I-

DETROlT I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:“tlllllllllllllll ll i‘Illl llT. ilil llitIll‘II 'll ‘llt lllllII ‘ Hill; 0' lllll |‘ llll lllIllIlIli' lll d. llll lllhllll ltI IIIllt tll

Michigan Live Stock Insurance Co.

Home Office: Graebner Bldg., Saginaw, W. S., Michigan

I Md 1 HI “MN. .10 ,I ‘ ‘ '1‘” ‘l"‘ I. ;‘l,' 'H' ‘1'“ "Kiwi iII'”I ‘ ‘ tlilll';

Executive Office: 319 Widdicomb Bldg., Grand Rapids, Michigan

This (‘ompany is backed by more than 500 of the best li\Ir stock farmers of
the state, and we have InoIc than $100 000 deposited with tho State ’l‘reasurvr
as It guarantee. of the (‘onIpanv ‘s responsibility.

\Ve insUIo all li\e St()(l\4—llt)18(‘\ tattle, sheep and hogs against IlI~atlI tIom

an} ause

lltllll ItI‘Il'

with us. . .
We Will give you a square deal
\VI'ite for iIIt'oI‘InatIon.

l

Itllllilll.Il.l l H III

'IIIIIIIII IIIIIIII ,mmm", ’ II.I..I‘

We issue individual and blanket policies Co\£llllg any and all L'tllltlitltllls' -
hI-rd policies, feeding poliIies, shipping policies, ‘ . ..
VVI- want a loIal agInt to IepIcsent us in may communitv in Michigan. ;;
VVt‘ want. c\II) fIIImcI in thI State

30 (lav fouling policiea (‘1‘ g;

ot Michigan to in IIII- hi= li\I~ film'h’ a:

Colon C. Lillie. Pres. and Supt. of Agts.
Harmon .1. Wells, Secty. and Gen. Mgr.

IIIII-Inm IIIlll,it;llllllll‘Htlllfl‘llli-I‘tillilll'Illllllll.ltllllllulllllti

 

 

WANTED

Men for the Woods. Lumber Jacks
Coal Miners
Laborers for Coal Mine

Free Railroad Fare. Steady Work.
KlNCAlD, 71 W. Fort St., Detroit.

 

 

 

products made I-onsidcrIIblc reduc—
tions in their products. The llond
Stccl l‘ost (‘onipany may have had a
contract extending over a year at very
low prices, which InadI- their products
on a proportionately low basis. The
now price, which will become cl't'cc—
new purchases may cf-
fort their solliuti prices [or thfs, reas—
(III. If. I.. II'I'IIII/I/lt’. /)i1‘(‘<'/(n‘ of ISI'I'I‘I
Supply. ll'dr Indus/rtvs HUI/H].
llIJIII'I'oII's Noni: - ln ()Lllt‘l‘ words,
the War Industries Board can‘t an»
swer your question, and we. know of
no otlIcr authority to whom to turn]

tive on their

.\ good Business lI‘III'nII‘I‘ with the 211‘-
I-Int on “Business." It pcrforms its mis—
sion cvcry week. The straight and for—
v.;Iran-ss ot‘ the principles for which It
1m: stood is to be I-onnnended to its ed~
jit)l'.\'.*‘~l\1. L. R., Alurno.

II: as it"

lIlIII-loscd please find one dollar for
subscription for one year to your paper,
which i feel every farmer should take,
as it fills a long felt want. Your kicks
l't'ttl‘ll the tender spot on old Billy Ilrccd.
—~l’. .‘Ilt'tl., North Branch.

i= 1‘ =1:

1 think Michigan lusiness lI‘III‘IIIIIIg‘ is
the, best farm paper ever pubnshed in
the state of Michigan. 1 never saw a
paper that came up to it. It is worth $2
a. year to any farmer—J. S. 1L, Pigeon.

 

Sandel, Stacy, Beadle & Green

Live Stock Commission Merchants

Michigan Central Stock Yards;

Detroit, hlII‘liigan, res»ec:fullx
solicit your cons gmnents. No
Shipment too small to receive
our best care and attcniiou.

None too large for our capacity.

 

 

 

Cousign your live stock ship—

ments 10

Bishop, Bullen
& Holmes,

Detroit

the largest Live Stock Connnlse
sion in h/lichigan.

 

 

 

 

(IO-Operative Buying ITI‘QEI‘Iqug‘I‘Illl,
Saves Money.

Delivered carlot quotations '
furnished.

3 GRAIN GROWERS GRAIN co. Minneapolis, Minn

l

 
  
 
    
      
       
 

 

 

 

 

   
 
     
        
          


  
 
    

   

    

 

iiilllllllilllii li'l‘ linllllllililll

 

 

”llliili Mil,“

"WW”"iiii'ii‘i‘l‘"‘ :1: mini

 

3
a
5
g
E

 

 

 

glilllilll|ll|lllllllillllllllllllililllliilllllilllllllllll'li'ililllillillillllliilifii'i‘“‘“"“‘1'” ‘

 

llllllllilllllllilllillillllllllllilll|llilll|il|i|llllllillliiIiiilli‘.rll.‘iiillllll‘IE;

 

    

 

. ’ nuiumiunuuni‘mnnmuimIiniiiiuumimmminimmmummuuiunuim unlimuiuinuliumilIimmimmumimmiiiiilii

. “‘-for all thefarmers of Michigan.“

. - L ‘fi. ‘

g ‘ , , ‘3»! ‘ '

E ~ ~—;w tau " _ »
E‘ ' E!" {-515 ' —-»=‘
BUSINESS G
§

§

 

A Farm, Home and Market Weekly Owned and Edited in Michigan

 

SATURDAY. DECEMBER 29TH, 1917

 

EDITOR

- - EDITOR
EDITOR WOMAN’S DEP‘T
VETERINARY EDITOR
LEGAL EDITOR

GRANT SLOCUM
FORREST A. LORD

ANNE CAMPBELL STARK
Dr. G. A. CONN - -
WM. E. BROWN

 

Published every Saturday by the
RURAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
GEO. M. SLOCUM, Bec’y and Bus. Mgr.
Business Offices.- 110 Fort Street, DETROIT
Editorial Offices and Publishing Plant, Mt. Clemens, Mich.
BRANCHES: CHICAGO, New YORK, ST. LOUIS, MINNEAPOLIS

 

ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR

No Premiums, Free Listor Clubbing Offers, but a. weekly worth five times
what we ask for it and guaranteed topleaae or your money back anytime!

 

Advertising Rates: Twenty cents per agate line. fourteen agate lines to
the column inch, 760 lines to the page.

Live Stock and Auction Sale Advertising: We offer special low rates
In reputable breeders of live stock and poultry, write in for them.

 

OUR GUARANTEED ADVERTISERS
Wc respectfully ask our readers to favor our advertisers when pouible.
'l‘heir catalogs and prices are cheerfully sent free, and we guarantee you
against loss providing you say when writing or ordering from them, “1 now
your advcrtiamcut in my Michigan Business Farming."

 

 

Entered u second-clue matter, at Mt Clemens, Mich.

 

The New Year

HE NEW YEAR comes. The old year has
been a year of terrible calamity and tragedy;
we are glad to see it pass away into the dark
recesses of oblivion; but we do not turn the pages
of the new year with our customary eagerness, for
we know that the chapter we have just completed
is but the introduction to darker pages just be—
yond. We enter the new year with dark misgiv—
ings. We sense the awful tragedies that lie be«
fore us; we visualize the fields of France where
our youth will fight and fall; we clinch our hands
and set our jaws as our minds flounder in utter
helplessness to conceive of a way to bring sanity
and satiety to the war-mad nations.
But :1 dccpcr sense, a renewed conviction that
our cause is just and that God )vill make the right

lriumplmni strangely soothes our resentment,
royivcs waning hopes and steadics us for the

trials that lie ahead.

Wc have been a complacent peoplc all thru the
war. Won the cntrancc of our own country into
the awful conflict has failed to move the mass of our
people to :1 full realization of the solemn respons-
ibiliiics this country has taken up. Minds have
been pretty much divided over the wisdom or need
of our entering the war; there have been demands
for a clearer definition of the objectives; there
have been countless minor criticisms. Division of:
opinions and efforts, not only in the civilian ranks.
but even in the administrative departments has
sadly interfered with the preparations for war.
But these things could not have been avoided. It
is not, easy for a “great, peaceful people” like ours
to accept our government’s decision to take part
in the war. without a mental and moral struggle.
But the regrets and differences of the past should
be buried with the past, and every loyal man,
woman and child resolve now to make an effort
to harmonize their own opinions with what our
President and Congress have doomed host for the
welfarc of the nation.

This can be done, by a constant reaffirmation
of our faith in the ultimate outcome. Individual
opinions count for nothing today; the nation will
see the war thru to the end whether you would
have it or not. And there's no better way for
those who remain at home to help bring this con-
fiict to its earliest possible close than by harmon~
izing their own opinions with the conclusions as
set forth in the President’s several messages.
'l‘hcroi‘ore. let us resolve, as we enter upon the
new year to be a. little less critical. to seek a deep-
or realization of the priceless principles that are
at stake. and to lend our every reasonable effort
to advance the great, tho tragic, work our govern-
ment has undertaken.

Where is Their Patriotism Now?
ANUFACTURERS the country over are up
M in arms against the U. S. fuel administra-
tion which has been threatening to close up
their plants for a limited time to conserve coal.
At a mass meeting recently held in Detroit to pro-
test against any such action, industrial heads de-
nounced W. K. Prudden, fuel administrator for
Michigan, charging him with inexperience and in-
competency. They refused to close up their plants
a single day in order that coal might be diverted
into empty bins and actual suffering prevented.
Does our memory play us false? Are these the
same gentlemen whose “patriotic” co—operation
with the government has been extolled from one

. WW“ '5' lm ‘ _ ii L 'Il\ m‘

test to be operated: atL‘cOSt—~plus ten per cent?
Are these the same gentlemen who have been crit-
icizing the farmer for his apparent laCk of sympa-
thy with the Liberty loan and Red Cross cam-
paigns; who have called him unpatriotic because
he objected to a. price being set upon his products,
to the “drafting of his help, to the arbitrary grad-
ing 01! his potatoes? Yea, verily, the very same.

Where is their boasted patriotism now?‘ Has
self-interest—th‘e fear of losing their “ten per
cent” profits for a single week that the demands of
public needs may be satisfied—already given the
lie to their boasted obedience to governmental
wishes? So says the evidence.

It’s easy for the city folks to be tolerant and
patriotic as long as their own rights are rigidly
respected, but What a howl they put up when even
public necessity compels them to sacrifice. It
always seems to make a difference whose foot the
shoe pinches.

Better Keep Away From Washington

ASHINGTON has become the war-time mec-
VR/ ca for people from all parts of the United

States. Every train coming into the city
is crowded; there is no chance to secure accom-
modations, unless reservations. have been made
far in advance. and once in the Capitol city it is
mighty hard to get out. Sleeping car reserva-
tions are made weeks ahead, and the arrival and
departure of trains is mighty uncertain. If only
those who have business at the National Capitol
would congregate there it would be different, but
it seems that every man above draft age, who has
the cash and the time. just naturally drifts toward
Washington to find out “how the war is coming
on.” It is estimated that, more than fifty thou-
and strangers are within the gates of the city;
a portion of this number, to be sure, includes the
extra clerks and other government employees
needed because of extra war work, but a great:
majority is made up of the idle rich, who l‘ke
the plug~hai brigade of the sixties, want to know
how things are “comin’ on,” and to give their own
ideas of how the war situation should be handled.

As might be inferred, thc several departments
arc crowded with work, and the officials have
ne’ther time nor inclination to go very deep into
the non-essentials. Let it be understood that
every citizcn of the United States will get a
respectful hearing no matter what department
he may visit, but all else but war preparations
must naturally be considered as “little things”
when compared with the one great issue. And
too, Wasnington is not a place where'you can
dispel your gloom. The fellovvs who know, are
confident of the final result—but the cost in dol-
lars and lives to achieve that result, cannot ho
figured, and the prospects are not encouraging.
It‘s going to be a hard fight and a long fight, and
the Government is going at the work with com-
mendable determination, and making good prog-
ress. Ten thousand grave questions confront the
administration. Senators and congressmen are
giving their best thought and energy to the sit-
uation, and the people at home must bear with
patience many annoying things, which later, in
the natural course of events will be corrected.
in the meantime, the suggestion: ”Keep Away
From Washington,” should be heeded.

0 upon the farmers without their knowledge

and consent? Ans. Because the farmers
are not properly represented at the conferences
which decide such matters. .

Ques. Why are not the farmers so represented?
Ans. Because they are not organizedand in a po-
sition to present a statement of consolidated opin-
ion.

Ques. Why are not the farmers organized? Ans.
Because they have never fully realized the ad-
vantage of co-operation and united action.

Qucs. When will the farmers be ready for or-
ganization? Ans. Ask the potato grower who has

Questionnaire.
UES’. Why are obnoxious restrictions placed

_ just renewed his note at the bank after he had

run his last load of potatoes over'a government
screen.

The editors wish that every woman reader
would turn to the farm home department in this
issue and read carefully the letter which MrS.
Anne Campbell Stark recently received from a Kal-
amazoo county subscriber. And then we wish that
every one of you would hustle thru the dishes
some evening this week and devote a single hour
to writing Mrs. Stark a good, long heart-toheart
letter on any subject you may choose. We hear a
great [deal about the drab existence of the farm
woman, but we know that her thots are as great,
her trials as burdensome, her happiness as abund-

  
  

, _ 6f. 'thé'counrr‘y‘ ioii'iie omen-imp have framed
'their plants over to thegovernjme‘nt without pro-

_ whines these 6
. ,, . _ tar .y'walritIi-‘ito+-heai‘i..fri?m _.
you folks;’ take» her into your Confidence; tell her'
of your experiences and'yOur. problems We are
very sure that She can be Of great help to you. Oh,
yes, send her pictures of the children and their
pets; she’ll print them in the paper and write a
clever little poem about them. New don’t delay,—
nor forget. ‘

 

So many of our good friends have written us
that they were going, to get one or more new sub-
scribers to M. B. F. on or before Monday, De-
cember 3lst, that weuhave good reasons for be
lieving that our Booster Day is going to be a big
success. We wish we could make it the BIGGEST
Booster Day on record,oand we CAN if every
reader who wants to help in the common cause

will only boost for two or three new subscriptions. ‘

Wouldn’t we be proud if even one-fourth of our
loyal army of readers would enlist in the ten
thousand circulation drive; and help take MICH-
IGAN‘ BuerEss FARMING safely “over the top.”
How we wish that we could come out to the

farm today and sit and talk with you about the‘

problems that confront every farmer in Michigan
today; how we wish we could have the chance of
showing you what it will mean to YOU and to
every man who farms in Michigan, when ONE-
HALF of the farmers of this great state have
joined hands with this publication and become pre-
pared to act in pnison in the settling of those
problems! For remember, dear friends, the farm-
ers’ problems will NEVER be solved until you
are willing and equipped to think and act togeth-
er. MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARMING is your cham-
pion and your spokesman. Its influence for good
has already been felt, and every new subscription
that is received adds another round of ammuni-
tion for the fight we are making. Do your “bit”
on Booster Day and we know you’ll never regret it.

The newspaper that would sully its pages with
horrible and lying stories of how soldiers have
been crucified and their throats cut by Germans.
isn't fit to enter a home where there are children
or men and women who have any regard at all
for truth, and righteousness. The only purpose
of such yellow journalism is to arouse the hate
of the American people, and is wholly contrary to
the policies of the government. Every story of
alleged barbarity on the part of the enemy should
be scrutinized by the‘ government and its truth
verified before being given over to the public,
and any hireling and unprincipled newspaper
that failed to observe the censorship should be
barredfrom the. mails. If irresponsible news
gathcrcrs are permitted ”to spread at will the
loathsome and malicious inventions of morbid
‘minds. fanning the smouldering embers of a peo-
ple’s long pent—up passion into a hot, Vicious flame
of vengeance, we may well expect the other gates
of hell to be opened up. and vomit the consuming
poison of hate and murder over all the earth.

 

W. Milton Kelley, the well-known agricultural
writer contributes a timely article on marketing
problems in this issue of MicurGAN BUSINESS
FARMING. Every farmer should read it. In view
of the fact that farmers in this state are receiving
$7 for beans and 75 cents for potatoes that are re-
tailing at $10 and from $1.50 to $2.50 respectively
in the cities, we must take exception to Mr. Kel-
ley’s inference that those engaged in the distribu-
tion of farm products make only necessary and
nominal charges for the service they render. But
there are so many illuminating facts and sound
conclusions in Mr, Kelley’s article that we are
glad to present it to our readers.

 

They all come to it. Even Theodore Roosevelt
who has been suspected of being an anti-prohibi-
tionist for many years, now climbs into the dry
band wagon. He is reputed as saying that the
physical, moral and financial resources of the na—
tion cannot be best conserved if the sale and use
of alcoholic drinks are continued. Why do we
have to go to war to prove the demoralizing effect
of booze on individual and nation?

Will someone please tell us if the patriotic
manufacturers who are working for the govern-
ment on a cost plus ten per cent basis, figure in
their war taxes as part of the costs. And if so,
l.ow many of our farmers do likewise when they
determine the cost of production and the selling
price of their article?

There is no gainsaying the statement that the
present unfair and obnoxious potato grading
rules would never have been passed had those
most vitally concerned been given a voice in the
matter.

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Eaton County Beans go About 8 bu.,to Acre.
Enclosed please find $1.00 to apply on subscrip-
tion to MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARMING. I think it
is one of the best papers tht comes into our home.
I am out of the potato district so far as raising
,them to sell is concerned, but I think what is
for one farmer’s interest is good for us as a whole,
so my heart is With the potato growers and I am
enclosing coupon with my Opinion given on same.
and I will do all within my power to see the
potato riser properly used. We try to raise a lot
of beans in this section; the crop this year will
average about 7 bushels to the acre with about
75 per cent heavy pickers and no man can raise
them at present price of $11.00 per hundred and
have anything left. In my opinion there is seme-
thing decidedly wrong in the price of beans at
the present time. The most of us paid $9.50 to
$10.00 per bushel for our seed and supposed we
would be taken care of and get a good price for
them when our crop was ready for market. but it
seems to be up to the bean jobber to make. the
price just the same as it has always been. We
have a' live stock association at Vermontville and
do a fine business; shipped 57,000 lbs of cattle,
hogs and sheep last Saturday. Price of feed
seems to be' rather high at terminals and am send-
ing you clipping taken from the Buffalo Stock
Rccord so you can see for yourself what commis-
sion they charge. I think it is high enough at
the least, and the facts'in the case are I think
they are too high. Wishing you and M. B. F. all
kinds of success, I am,~S.'A. 11., Vermomvillc.

 

  

 

Buyer Says No. 2 Grade Should Bring as
Much as No- 1 Grade

This potato grading proposition is a hard one
for me to get at as there is so much to take into
consideration. If farmers select seed from the
main crop the second grade would make good seed
by sorting out the long ones and the affected ones.
I never saw any of the third grade. I think there

must be some good seed in that/grade. too. I '

went into a warehouse at my loading station and
tie buyer showed me some No. 2 potatoes. They
were very nice and should have brought the No. 1
price. but he said they only brought half price.
The buyer told me himself that he thought the
dealers would be glad to
get rid of the sorter, as it
takes too long to sort the
potatoes.

If the screen is left as it
is it will favor the man
with a good crop and be a
detriment to the man with
a poor crop. The man with
a poor crop will have to
sell his N0. 2 for what, he ”
can get, while the man
‘with the good crop will
have but a few. If the No.
2 grade are all as nice as
those I saw I think the No.
2 screen should be elimin-
ted entirely. The buyer
told me the potatoes would
have to wait so long before
being unloaded that there
was great danger of their
being frozen; and you see
it favors the dealer at the
expense of the producer. I
want to say here that the
buyer said the No. 2 po-
tatoes were just as good
and ought to bring as high
a price as the No. 1 grade.

I would favor the elim-
ination of the No. 2 grade
entirely. If this can not
be done. I would favor a
No. 1 price for No. 2 grade.
—-—R. E.. Cedar Springs.

 

 

. culiiiittii’iiiil ..:

 

Series of “Defeats” for

. the Farmer.

I deem it my duty, as
well as a privilege, to try
and explain to you and
whoever it may concern,
what the farmers of this
section of the state are up
against. I do not take it
upon myself, however, to
act as spokesman for all,
as I .have not been reQuest-
ed to do so, but I feel
that it is absolutely essen-
tial that the Government
know the immediate and

 

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disappeared.

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. SOUS.

tatoes at. the commission houses.
conditions the farmer had to face last spring. He
paid the price plus 6 per cent, interest on good ap—
proved notes. or go without.

broken spirits they beg for mercy

“ c" IiHi.Mif!“isilillllfd?‘IClid‘dthllll‘lllilllltihilfi.n:

rines by use of depth charges.
one of the most dramatic of the present war.
drowned. Before the Germans abandoned the
it began to sink shortly after they

t3

. minimum imummimimutritium:rm

 

  
 

Minimum

 

positivefheed or the farmers in_~this_ section, and

i ' according. to reports, the whole state.

. Ominous Rims '

To begin with we have had three very bad sea-
Three years ago, 1915, there was a consid-
erable acreage of beans, and with almost contin-
uous rains beginning bout the. first of June, the
bean crap was a flat failure. Anthrocnose rust also
added to the failure, and beans sold that fall for
$4.25 as the highest mark.

The farmers, like the great armies of EurOpe,
reorganized after their “defeat” and prepared for
a. great “drive” the next spring, 1916. They sought
to increase their acreage of beans to such an ex»
tent as to remunerate themselves for their vain
efforts of the year before, but 10 and behold. the
drouth came, hence another defeat.

About this time the farmers began to lay back
into the harness of u’ncertainty. They began to
thing that if the year of 1917 did not prove more
successful than the two previous years. the slo—
gan “back to the farm” would be reverted, as he
would “turn his back to the farm.” Now. for the
spring of 1917. The declaration of war on Ger-
many. and the flood of requests from all govern‘
ment and state officials that every farmer should
plant every available foot of soil to such crops as
the soil was best adapted to. and which would in-
crease the food production of the country to the
greatest possible extent.

The farmer saw “the light.” and encouraged by
all that. he would be fully rewarded for his untir-
ing efforts. But he was without seed—beans. po-
tatoes, corn and oats. He must, buy hay and grain
to do his spring work and get the “war crop” in.
Mr. Farmer paid the elevators $10.00 per bushel
for beans for seed. and in some cases more; $1.75
per bushel for corn to feed: 82 cents per bushel
for oats to feed and $25.00 per ton for hay, and
he also paid from $2.50 to $4.00 per bushel for po—
These were the

The farmers started to retrieve their “depleted

line” and face the “enemy” again. putting every
possible bit of energy and sn'ap in their efforts.
They followed the bean drill across the. field, mock—

ing the enemy‘s “goose-step" to perfection, The
crop looked fair until the early frost, changed
their appearance. so with uplifted eyes and

They have come to one conclusion. and one

filili‘hm ..I.:..\‘.‘ 1.7.;xt25‘3‘” . .I . .t , 1..

AMERICAN DESTROYER CAPTURED U-BOAT BY USE OF DEPTH CHARGES

Recent despatchcs by cable have told how American destroyers have captured
The particular incident, so gr

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All of the men were taken off but one, who was
vessel, however, they had opened the water cocks and
had been taken aboard the destroyer. Within a short time it

  
 
  
  
 
   
  
   

 
 

*-.~(265i ;
lllllllIIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllflllll
only, that they must get $9 or $10 per bushel for
beans on the perfectly dry system, which would
not be any better than $8 per bushel last spring

. (beans were selling in some inscances at $13.00

per bushel last spring for seed.) Beans are so
easily affected by unfavorable weather conditions
that it is a very uncertain crop. So the farmer
says that whoever wants beans will have to show
him that they appreciate his three years of fruit-
less labors, by paying him $9 or $10 per bushel for
the 1917 crop which averaged about 7 bushels per
acre for the whole state, and a guarantee of a
like profit for 1918 in order that he might make a
living and pay expenses, otherwise he will have
to grow sugar beets and chicory another year.

You will please find enclosed $1.00 for a year's
M. B. F. It is too bad that every farmer in Mich-
igan does not join the M. B. F. “lodge," and be
united in fact andgalso in principle. Yet the farm-
ers of Michigan know, through your paper, the po-
sition we should take as per above—A. 3.. Auburn.

Doesn’t See How Farmers Can Sell Beans
for Less That $8.

As to the bean crop in Newaygo and Osceola
counties, I live on the county line, and thus am in
a position to know something about the bean crop
in both counties. There were hundreds of acres
of beans that were not harvested at. all especially
those on heavy land and planted late on.account
of the late wet. spring. Many of the beans are
shriveled and the largest crop I know of was 8
bushels per acre. but, the majority yield was from
one bushel to six bushels to the acre. and they will
pick heavy. A good many of the farmers failed
to get, their seed back and a good many are yet in
debt. for the seed. I can’t see how we farmers can
sell for less than $8.00 per bushel, for it will be
very little we will receive from our labor and use
of land along with the high priced seed. If you
could get the threshers' reports at Lansing you
could see where we are at on the bean deal. as
all threshers took down the numbcr of acres plant—
ed and the number of hushcls threshed and sent
these reports to Lansing.

As I said before. the farmers will have to have
$8 per bushel for their beans this your or come
out losers in their efforts to grow a bean crop
to help feed the nation and the nation's allies.
IV. lu'. (7., Frcmonl.

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EDITORIALS BY our moans

Bad Enough to be Blindfolded and Robbed;
But to be Chained Hand and Foot —

I am a new subscriber and glad of it. I shake
hands with you on your attitude toward the farm-
er. I raise potatoes for a cash crop and voice my
resentment with my farmer ne'ghbors at the way
we are being treated to potato hash. During the
past three seasons I have stored my potatoes in
common with my local dealer. This year my po-
tatOes were a large run. I put in storage 499.30
at Karlin. The land around Karlin is light and
low, so the potatoes were of small run. from one-
third to two thirds going through the new screen.
Where I‘live it is high and heavy soil, potatoes
were of a la rge run. Now they‘are putting these
over the sorter ind purpose to proportion the sec-
onds out accord'ng to the number of bushels each
one has in common. It. isn’t neccessary to say
that the man with the large run of potatoes loses
and the man whose potatoes grade one-third to
two-thirds gains.

 

 

 

 

 

My question is, is there a cause for legal action,
there being no contract. If so state the case fully
in a near issue of M. B. F.

I am only one of many tho. sands in the same
boat in the state. To be blindfolded and robbed
is bad enough but to be chained hand and foot with
your eyes on the deer gets my goat. My potato
crop will be cut 50 per cent next year.—~R. L. B..
Nessen City.

Beans Yield 2 to 12 Bus. in St. Clair County ‘

In regard to the bean situation in Water town-
ship, St. Clair county, I would say there are farm-
ers here who planted from $75 to $200 worth of
seed beans, who were pleased to have the ground
dry up so they could plow the weeds down to put
in fall wheat Where their beans were planted. I
count myself lucky. I planted 17 acres and har-
vested 14 acres. 1 have not threshed yet. Some
high ground beans are turning out from 2 ‘o 12
bushels per acre. I think I would be safe in say-
ing that two-thirds of the crop was not. harvested
at all. We have a rich clay loam here that has
raised some premium crops of beans in dry seas-
ons. I am very much pleased with your paper.—
(7_ (7.. Goodclls.

Dealer Sells Spuds to Govern-
Ment at Double Price Paid
the Farmer
Farm life is the thing. “'e farm-
ers are selling our potatoes at $l.25
to $1.23.?) a hundred and one buyer
says he sold a car for $2.50 a bun-
dred t0 the government. Now I
would like to know why the farmer
can't sell pofatoes to the govern-
ment for that price, and who is
making the most money, the farmer
or the man that buys from the
farmer. I planted 7 acres of nota-
toes last spring. Some seed I
could have gotten three dollars a
bushel for, and the rest two dol-
lars. At that. price my scol would
have been worth $125. I cultivated
them 7 times and double disced the
ground twice and harrowed the
ground twice before planting, and
twice :i“‘or planting. I spread man-
ure bct'ore plowing. paid 55c per lb.
for paris green and used 3 lbs:
paid $2 a day and board for man to
help paris green them which took
three days three times. I paid from
$4 to $5 a day to get them dog and
received 675 bu. Now if I have to
run them over I 15-16 in. screen. I
will have about 500 bu. of No. 1 po-
tatoes. Now. maybe potatoes ought
to be graded. but 1 15-l0 in screen
is too large' it it was I 5-R inch I
am sure, ilol‘r'idy would kick, and
then do away with this No. ‘2. grade.

Thanking you for your good pa—
per and advice. 3'1, (‘.. ll'i/mmz.

Why Not Fix Prices on Potatoes
as Well as Wheat

1 received a sample copy of your
M. Il. F. and the Potato grading
sclic‘q e. as you may call it by its
right name caught my eye, and I
read both sides thru. Now, to be-
gin with we should can those sal-
aried grafters that are always after
the poor trodden farmer. To begin
with, What vested power has this

 

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wand and Miller to jump on the Michigan terrier
alone for a No.- 1 and No. 2 grade of potatoes, as

I have never read a protest from the consuming

public yet. East spring the papers were full of
requests urging the farmersto bend every effort
and put in every acre of potatoes available. Some
cities went so far'as to ship in carloads of seed
to plant their lots with. The Food Administrator
even went so far as to ask the farmers to pay
$50 to $60 a month and board for help, but thank
God there were not many in our territory who did
it; if we had we would have had to join the din-
ner pail brigade or get a job at the agricultural
college and be an expert on eggs or some other
staple article, anything that would draw a fat sal-
ary for the farmers to pay taxes for. But of
course, he could pay it out of his No. 2 potatoes.

It looks to me as though they were after the
farmer because he is not in a union, like other
labor. But if we don’t get some sort of a paid
deal I am of the opinion that there will not be
an over production in 1918; here’s hoping. I have
noticed in my papers all winter of the food propo-
sition and what the administration has done to
relieve the situation. They simply waited for coal
and for the railroads to take their time. Maybe
they will take over the mines, but it takes miners
to mine coal, but they will be a worse proposition
than the farmers with his No. 1 and No. 2 pota-
toes. .

Why don’t the potato growers get the same con-
sideration as the bean and sugar beet growers?
They have had a hard battle, but they beat the
Kaiser for they have not had an expert to tell
them as we have on potatoes. Why don’t the gov-
ernment fix the price on potatoes the same as it
did on wheat, through the period of the war. I
should think our Food Administrator would be
vested with the same power to fix the minimum
prices as he would to curb the price when it
went out of sight. There is one thing that is cer-
tainly hurting the farmers, by storing their pota-
toes in warehouses before sold. It has been pub-
lished in most all papers that the consumers would
get their produce at cost, with a reasonable profit
aftnr H left the farmer’s hands. Now potatoes are
bringing about 600 to 75c to the farmer and I see
in my Saginaw paper they are selling to the con-
sumer for $1.50 to $1.60 per bu. Where is our Food
Administrator who lets them pay that little profit
for potatoes and Saginaw is less than 135 miles
from here. But we should worry and get up early
next summer and put in twice what we did in 1917

ens—”sate

 

The farmers won't care for they ‘ are patriotic
cusses. Some paid as high as,“ a bu. for seed last
spring and paid as high as $3.50 and $5.00 for dig-
ging, and now they are reaping their reward. But
never mind, they tell us we are going to get cheap
corn next January—F. B. N., Gaylord.

Here’s a Man “From Missouri”

I saw an item in the MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARM-
ING stating that Augustus Harmon raised 700 bu.
of beans from 8 acres, and he sold the yield at $9
per bushel. Now, we are all here for the purpose
of helping one another, and if this worthy gen-
tleman would come forward and tell us how he
raised them we would all rise and thank him. I
live in Saginaw county, where the land is good,
and many farmers have tile drainage and do not
raise more than 30 bu. to the acre. I would like
to have Mr. Harmon tell how he SOWed them to
get such a big yield—S. G. B.. Chcsaning.

Co-operation is Farmers’ Only Weapon

Co-operation, both in selling and buying, is the
farmers’ only means of meeting and successfully
coping With the greed of middlemen and the
strictly enforced “trade agreements" of manufac-
turers and jobbers. These agreements make it
difficult-land in many instances almost impossible
for farmers or farmers co-operative associations
to buy in carload lots, for spot cash such items
as, coal, lumber, flour, fence posts, spraying mater-
ial, fertilizer, etc., etc. What we farmers need,
and what we can also get. if only the farmers or-
ganizations of the country would go after it, is a
Federal Law prohibiting the manufacture. pro-
ducer or jobber of any commodity discriminating
against any would-be-purchaser, who buys in car
lots, for cash. Provide a heavy penalty for any
such discriminations, either in price, quality or
the filling of the order.

It seems to me that now, considering the present
mood of the Government, is a most opportune
time to push this demand.

It is susceptable of proof that dealers here have
been selling coal for a price 40 per cent to 60 per
cent in excess of mine cost plus freight. (7. P..

Bridgman.

A Word From a 60-acre Bean Farmer
I am told that you are endeavoring to place the

real bean and potato situation before the Fomt

Administration and that you are represent’ng the

side of the farmer. .
I raised sixty acres of beans this

year. I bought the best seed ob-
tainable and re-band—picked all
of it. The cut worms were very
bad in this region and I had to re-
plant a considerable amount, Tl-e
beans were given the best of care
up till the first of August when we
stopped all cultivation as is rec-
ommended. It was necessary to
pay $3 per day for very mediocre
help at time of harvest. I was more
fortunate than the average in yield
which was 400 bushels. The man
who thrashed my beans said that
up till then his average threshirg
was about 4 to 5 bushels to the
acre and a good many farmers
would not harvest at all. This
man sent in his yield data to the
State Department of Foods and
Markets and the very most impor-
tant detail in his report was not
given. namely. the beans. My beans
are so soft and green that no buyer
would touch them at present. We
have prevented a general mould}
condition by spreading them out 4
to 5 inches thick on all the floor
space we have and shoveling them
over nearly every day. This has
meant an additional expense, in the
cost of production that a good many
lose sight, of.

A great, many of the beans in
this vicinity will “pick" from a
third to two-thirds on account of
mouldiness and immaturity. In
other words the reported yields of
the threshers will shrink in many
cases a hundred per cent.

It appears to me that if the gov-
ernment is to fix a fair price for
food stuffs, it should base its fig—
ures of yield on quality as well as

 

 

ASLEEP ON THE JOB

This is the way the Grain Grower-5‘ Guide of (‘anadu sizes up the booze question.
Since the above cartoon was drawn, however, Premier Borden has announced that
the importation and manufacture of all alcoholic drinks containing more than 21A p“.
cent of alcohol will be prohibited.

 

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quantity.

Our yield up here will not be
the yield reported by the thresh-
ing men.~—A. J., J12. Beulah.

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START A LIVE _Cow
TESTING ASSOCIATION

The first cow testing association
was organized in Michigan several
years ago. Since that time the idea
has spread till there are organiza-
tions of this kind in nearly every
state in the union. It is impossible
to estimate the great amount of meney
they have saved dairymen but it is
one of the best things in the business.

There are.a great many counties in .
Michigan as Well as all through the
United States where a cow testing
association would pay big dividends.
This work costs each farmer but a
very little cash outlay and the know-
ledge it brings him pays for all he
spends in a short. time. In our herds
there are a few cows at least that do
not pay a profit. And if you have a
herd of twelve COWs or more, one or
two “boarders” lowers the. record of
the rest without some work of this
kind. A live cow testing association
is the best and quickest, way of breed-
ing up and increasing the number of
high producing cows in any communi-
ty that is at the command of every
dairyman.

F‘eed. labor. land and cows are go-
ing up in price right along. There
never was a time in the history of A-
merican dairying when business meth-
Otis and extreme care in selling, breeds
ing and feeding was as necessary as
they are right, now. It is next. to
impossible to make a profit with cows
by the old methods of guess work that
we used to practice. We have got,
to know that every pound of feed we
put into the feed box will come back
to use with a little profit in the shape
of milk or butter. The only way of
knowing this is by weighing the feed
consumed and belonging to a live test—
ing association.

This is awork that the rural schools
could take up with excellent results.
Agriculture is taught. in a great many
country schools and work of this kind
is worth much more than simply a
study of agricultural subjects from
book alone. Teachers can serve their
community by starting work of this
kind that will be worth while. It
needs a little leadership and work to
make the work a success.

Farmers in a neighborhood who keep
cows can get together to the mutual
“"cm of all in this. You don’t need
to keep fancy, high bred dairy cattle
in order to make a profit from a, test-
ing association. in fact a live asso—
ciation will benefit the man with only
ordinary cows more than it possibly
could help the, man with cows of high
breeding. because the latter usually
make a good profit. This is not. the
case with common or grade cows.

The time to start this work is now.

There is a great demand for all kinds
of dairy products at good prices. Be
sure that you are getting a profit for
the feed you use and the money in-
vested and labor expended. The only
way to be sure is to know that your
cows are all producers. This is the
first. and most important. step toward
profitable dairying. After you pro-
duce dairy products at a profit the
question of selling them at a. profit is
another matter.

 

   

Uterine r9 Department

 

U. H. CONN, D. V.. Editor

We had a calf about eight weeks
old that suddenly developed a swelling
on each side of the throat under the
ear and back of the jaw bone. It could
hardly eat or drink and it breathed
quite hard, but it slowly recovered
and is almost well now. What was
this and what should we have done
for it?——S. 7’.. Truccrsc (7113/.

The condition you speak of-here
Was parotisis or mumps. An animal
so affected should be placed in a well
ventilated and comfortable box stall
and have water placed where it could
reach it at all times. Should be fed
only on thin slops and no fodder or
hay should be given. The swelling
should be painted three 'times daily
with tincture of iodine for the first
two or three days and after that once
daily. As soon as a soft spot is found
it is evident that there is an ab—
scess within the cavity and it should
be opened preferably by a, veterinar-

1an.
9

U * t
We have a. horse that needs a tonic.
He is run down and out of condition.
We have had his teeth dressed. What
would you advise?A~—J. Ma. .Iilpcna.
There is positively no bettter tonic
for a horse than Fowler’s solution of
arsenic of which one tablespoonful may
be given in the feed three times each
day. Try it.
it * *1
W'c have a cow that is giving bloody
milk. She is a very heavy milkcr and
we are feeding her quite hard at, this

time. What is the cause of this and
what must be done for it'FWi’m. .4..
Sherman.

This condition is no doubt brought
about by the feeding of large amounts
of rich nutritious feed and is caused
by the rupture of the small vessels in
the udder. If there is much blood pres-
ent, it would be well to use a milk tube
for a few days to draw the milk from
the udder, as you will want to manip-
ulate the udder as little as possible
The milk tube should be boiled each
time before using and the teat should
be washed with a mild antiseptic so-
lution before the tube is inserted.
(‘hange the feed for a few days and
do not feed so much.

 

 

Sophie 19th, “The World’s

 

 

Most Wonderful Cow."

 

SOPHIE 19th, WORLD’S
MOST WONDERFUL COW

Having just completed her seventh
official record under Register of Merit
rules, Sophie 10th of Hood Farm not
only establishes a record for the Jer-
sey breed, but for all breeds when cum-
ulative production is taken into con-
sideration. There is no cow of any
breed, living at the present time, which
bids fair to eclipse Sophie’s record for
several years to come. It will be not-
ed that Sophie’s seven years’ produc-
tion exemplifies the outstanding char-
acteristics of the Jersey breed—~early
maturity, persistency and longevity.

In her thirteenth year she has made
15,948 pounds of milk and 1,059 pounds
of butter, which added to her s’x pre-
vious records, gives her a total pro-
duction in her seven lactations of 91,-
869 pOunds of milk, or over forty- tons,
and 6,600 pounds of butter, or more
than three and a quarter tons. She be—
came champion cow 0f the Jersey
breed on completing her fifth lactation,
when she made 17,557 pounds of milk
and 009.1 pounds of fat. This record

has never yet been equalled by any
other cow of the breed.
One of the things that, her records

fail to show is the fact that Sophie is
not only a wonderful producer. but a

no remarkable rcproducer. Besides
being a champ‘on herself, she has pro-
duced champions. 0110 of her sons.
Pogis 90th of Hood farm, is the sire
of twenty—six officially tested daughters
whose average production for one year
is 620 pounds of butter. Two of these
cows are champions in the three-year—
old and four—ycar—old classes. At this
age they have even surpassed the
production of their granddam. Sophie
10th. The first of these. Sophie‘s Ad-
ora, who is four—year-old champion of
the breed made 13.552 pounds of milk
and 1.110 pounds of butt tcr in one year.
The second is Sophie's Bertha. three-
year—old champion. with a, record of
14,954 pounds of milk and 1,031; pounds
of butter. Another granddaughter, So-
phie‘s Dolly Mimplc. recently complet—
ed a record of 10.812’. pounds of milk
and 860 pounds of butter, which made
her champion two-ycar—old Jersey cow
0f ()hio.

Had Sophie made but her one great
record of 000 pounds of fat, it would
probably have been said that she was

forced to her limit in doing so. and
that her future as a dairy cow had
been sacrificed to gain this end. The

records which she has made sincc that
time has. however. set aside all thcse
conclusions. The following table gives

Sophic's great records in the order
made:

Milk Fat R000 Buttcr .-\gc

lbs. lbs. lbs. yrs. mos.

7050.2 395.0 404.8 2 2
9924.8 570.8 713.5 3 8
14373.2 854.8 1068.5 4 11
15000t 031.0 1104.8 .; 7
17557. 8 000.1 12432)) T 11
11015.4 080:3 1130 0 ’1 7
15048.? 847.11 105518 11 0
91800707 551111 11111111"

Sophie 10th is still in good physical
condition and she may yet contribute
other rccords to supplement, the great.
work that she has already done as
standard bcarcr of the Jersey breed.

During the past two years Sophie
has traveled to the National Dairy
Shows. where she has held the atten-
tion of crowds of admirers who were
anxious to see “The World‘s Greatest
Cow."

mu 1“”. "11'1""11"‘ '

"111lllllllllllllllllllll11110111114

——MONDAY, DECEMBER 3lst,
IS BOOSTER DAY. Will you
give one hour, or one day of
your time between now and then
to get one or more new subscrib-
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.. E. BROOKS, 463 State Street, Marshall. Mich.

 

 

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Enlist Now in Our Army of Regu‘ar Shippers

O BEl‘iR BRoseiit-a"

 

 

 

 

Est. 1853 Capital $600,000.00

Inc. 1889
Highest Prices Paid For

RAW FURS

Write for Fur List and Book
on Successful T ra p p i n g

TRAUGOTT SCHMIDT 81 SONS

136-164 Ionroe Ave. Dotroit, Mich.

 

 

 

 

 

TRAPPERS AND SHIPPERS OF
R A W F U R S

I pay the HIGHEST PRICES on all RAW FURS.
Express Charges.
I remit on receipt of goods. I also buy HIDES, TAL—
LOW. PELTS and CRACKLINGS. Hides tanned
for Robes and Coats Write for prices.
HAP? TOLEDO. OHIO, 222 Vance Street.
REFERENd'.“ wsmnds Bank and Tm: Co.
Dunw or Bradstreet.

Inn!

 

 

 

  


    

  

' HIS IS certainly a year of dif-.

ficulties in marketing farm pro-

ducts. The lack of efficient labor,

together with the shortage of suitable
barrels, boxes and baskets has made
the sorting and grading.of fruit and
vegetable crops unusually expensive
and diflicult to the farmers and com-
_mission dealers. Every community
where fruit and vegetable crops are
grown for market has faced a short-
age of help and packages. As a result
thousands of carloads of farm produce
reached city terminals in a mixed, un-
couth condition.
‘ Apples, pears, peaches grapes, cu-
cumbers, potatoes, onions and toma-
toes have been loaded into ordinary
freight cars or shipped in boxes, crates
and barrels of various sizes and des-
criptions, so that the shipments on
arrival at city terminals have had de-
moralizing effects upon prices. Fruit
and vegetable crops shipped in bulk
or in slimpsy, ill—shapen containers
cannot be put onto the markets in good
uniform condition; besides such ship-
ments involve a tremendous amount
of work and expense on the part of
commission men and city dealers. It
is also very difficult for commission
houses to supply the demands of a
high-class trad-e with products of mix-
ed quality.

In discussing this phase of bulk
shipments, and of shipments made in
m.siit barrels, crates and boxes, a
member of one of the leading commis-
sion firms in Buffalo, N. Y., said: “For
more than ten years we have been en-
deavoring to induce our shippers in
the country to properly grade their
products and ship them to us in boxes,
barrels, crates and baskets adapted to
our trade among grocerymen in the
best residential sections of the city.
So long as the shipments reached us
in good condition we could make
prompt deliveries to our trade and
keep our operating charges down to
a minimum. This year we have had
to emply more help, buy packages
when we could get them and make
every possible effort to supply the de-
mands of our trade from bulk and
mixed shipments. On account of the
shortage of standard containers we
have found it utterly impossible to
make prompt daily deliveries and put
the products on the market, in as good
condition as we have in former years.
The handling of bulk shipments, and
of poor quality mixed shipments, has
forced 11s to handle large quantities
of inferior products in order to get
enough products to supply our reg-
ular trade. To dispose of these lower
grades of perishable fruit and vegeta-
tables. left on our hands after sorting
and grading the bulk and mixed ship-
ments as they arrived at our storage
rooms. we get busy and organized a
system of selling and distributing
them thru Italian and Jewish ped-
dlers who take wagon loads of the
produce from our storage rooms and
sell it in the factory and tenement
districts. In this way we find an out-
let for vast quantities of perishable
fruit and vegetables at a very low ex-
pense. Under ordinary conditions on
a large city market these peddlers
handle only such produce as has been
damaged or deteriorated in package
shipments, but, this year we find it an
important factor in selling bulk ship-
ments, cutting down the expense for
packages, and grading many kinds of
produce.”

The fact that such vast quantities of
farm produce arrives at the city ter-
minals in such poor condition is going
to make the problem of putting it in-
to storage more difficult than in former
years when better grading and sort-
ing was done in the country. The
freight, sorting charges and the cost
of disposing of the refuse from ship-
ments must be paid by someone. Sort-
ing on the farm saves these middle-
men's charges and the cost of storage,
which ultimately fall back on the pro-

 

Fdrmérs" CbJOperdiive Marketing 0

 

    

/’ . . .

rgdnizations

Equipped to Grade and sort , their Products ,.
will Help Solve Marketing Problem ' ' l :
By w. MILTON KELLEY . ‘ '3

ducer. There is a great saving in
freight when the produce is sorted
and graded at the original shipping
point so that it may be put into stor-
age without rehandling. All of this
work costs more in the cities. than it
does in the country. And in addition
to these losses there is a great amount
of produce occupying perfectly good
car space and storage room that is
absolutely worthless for food. Almost
any carload of produce unloaded in a
commission house today will contain
a vast amount of waste. The rail-
roads receive freight and the storage
houses receive pay for the space this
waste occupies; besides waste pro
duce has a tendency to spoil the bet-
ter grades mixed with it in the ship-
ments. Farmers, country shippers and
commission dealers must pull togeth-
er now as never before to get the
year’s food supply onto the markets
with as little waste as possible. Every
sort of product that is fit for human
food must be saved and put into the
market in condition to bring good
prices and furnish a maximum amount
of human food. It is no time to wran-
gle about standard packages or fancy
products; our people need the food
and they are willing to pay reasonable
prices for it.

When prices are unusually high
there is a tendency on the part of both
farmers and consumers to have unholy
thoughts about the commission deal-
er and to look upon him as an econ-
omic parasite rather than a public ne-
cessity. The farmer insists that he
has suffered many things of many men
standing between himself and the
consumer, and that the time has come
when it is up to the consumer and.
himself to get together and eliminate
the middlemen. So far as the com-
mission man is concerned, he has the
facts and figures to show that will
demonstrate to any fair-minded man

that he is a. public necessity, and that
his part in the grading, classifying and
distributing of farm products is just
as real and important as that of the
producer or the ’retailer. The’ ave}-
age farmer and consumer has a vague
general notion that the commission
merchants simply receive farm prod-
uctsat one door and shove them out
at another—taking from 10 to 100 per
cent toll for their trouble in the course
of the transaction.

To spend a few hours on a large city
market and study the activities in a
large commission house is to realize
instantly the absurdity of this suppo-
sition. A careful inspection of the
inside working of a great commission
house let us trace a shipment of eggs
from the farm to the city and find out
the amounts paid out for commission
and service. Brown ships 200 dozen
of his eggs to his commission house.
The eggs are a mixed lot of various
shapes, sizes and colors. For this rea-
son the commission man remits 25
cents per dozen, less 10 per cent com-
mission and 80 cents express charges
for the entire shipment, or the price of
mixed country eggs on the market the
day he received the shipment. Brown
gets his check for $44.20 and the in-
cident is closed so far as he is con-
cerned. He has received the whole-
sale market price for his eggs. But
let me say right here that the amount
remitted is invariably based upon the
market quotations for the lower grad-
es in the mixed shipment.

Now, let us see what actually oc-
curs after Brown’s eggs reach the com-
mission house and how they are sold
to the trade. The commlssion mer-
chant either sells them to' some friend

The consumer blames the farmer for the high cost of
foodstuffs, while the real culprit, the middleman, dodges out

of harm's way.

When the consumer goes to her neighbor-

C’ hood grocery store in the city and pays 20 cents a pound for

beans, she does not know that the farmer who grew those

same beans received only ten or twelve cents a pound for them. Neither does she know
that the neck of potatoes for which she paid 50 cents was sold by some farmer a hun-

dred miles away for 20 cents.

When the buying public quits kicking about the high

cost of food and makes an efl‘ort to find out what makes food prices high it will be a
happy day for both producer and consumer.

  

Wis.

whois an ~eggxdealer, or he proceeds

to grade, repack and distribute them'

to his trade. By going thru'Brown’s
shipment carefully he sorts out 120
dozen clean white eggs, which are
graded and sold as :strictly fresh
White .‘ Leghorn, to large hotel for
44 cents per dozen; and 50’dozen grad-
ed and strictly fresh country eggs to
a groceryman in a residential dis-
trict for ['36 cents per dozen; and 30
dozen of ‘he illsshapen, soiled eggs'to
ant-Italian shop keeper for 28 cents
per dozen. In this instance someone
is paying about $30 for service which
should have been performed at the
farm where the eggs were produced.

It is the charges for service and not

the excessive commission'charges that

, stand between the city consumer and

the farmer, and so long as farmers
persist in shipping their produce in
mixed, uncouth lots to the big city
markets, just so long will they be
compelled to pay for this service in
getting their products before the con-
sumer. In tracing a shipment of
grapes that had been carelessly pick-
ed and packed in an Ohio vineyard
and shipped to Chicago it was found
,that the commission house remitted
$34 a ton for the shipment, less 10 per
cent commission and freight charges.
At their storage rooms the entire car-
load was repacked and 1,000 baskets
weighing about 10 pounds each sold
for 20 cents a basket to a small gro-
ceryman and the balance of the ship-
‘ment sold in the Italian and Greek set-
tlements at $2.20 per hundred pounds
for wine manufacturing purposes. In
this transaction the service, as in the

 

 

 

 

shipment of the mixed eggs, had to be
paid for.

Not many years ago the writer vis-
ited a large commissiOn dealer in Chi-
cago and saw several carloads of ap-
ples from Michigan unloaded and
packed for city distribution. The
fruit had been picked from the trees
and off the ground in the orchard. In
this instance the house paid 80 cents
per hundred pounds cash at the door
for the apples. After the fruit was
unloaded it was graded and the best
apples packed in barrels and put into
cold storage; the seconds sold to the
retail stores and the culls sold in the
foreign settlements for 40 cents ‘per
bushel. Who paid for the service that
should have been performed on the
farm where the fruit was produced?
Numberless instances could be ,cited
to show that it is the cost of service
rather than excessive commission
charges that eats up the profits of
many shipments of farm products.
Farmers are not justified in heaping
their sins of omission upon the should-
ers of the commission men. ,

(Continued next week.)

 

  
    
  

 

 

  
  
   
  
    
   
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
  

xiv

 

 

  
 
 

   
  


 

 

 

MT!

 

 

. 2““
fl, .

 

 

GBATIOT (Southeast)—Most farmers

are busy at present getting up buzz piles.

or are cutting wood with the cross—cut
saw. There is not a bit of coal in the
coal yards. Wood is selling at from $2.50
to $3.00 per cord. The weather is mild
and the snow is going away slowly—J.
E. 0., Bannister, Dec. 9

WEXFORD (Wain—About the same
old' story, farmers are getting up wood.
Some are looking'after their beans. A
little more snow has fallen and at_the
present time there is pretty fair. sleigh-
ing, the roads have been blocked in some
places. It has been necessary to resort
to' the snow plow in order to get the
youngsters to school. The school was
closed down a couple of days last week
on account of the drifts. Yes, I am in
sympathy with Mr. Mason. The govern-
ment and most'every big fellow said last
spring “plow up your back yard, put in
something in every foot of ground.to feed
everyone across the pond,” .which we
have done for years. Now this fall they
are taking our hide. The fellows who
do nothing gef it all, or very near. Most
every farmer raised enough in one year
to last him ten years and it don’t last
him one season. Did you ever stop to
meditate as to where it went to. Then if
one poor fellow gets the start of one of
the big felloWs he is dishonest and they
try to blacklist him, when they have been
setting the example—teaching him to be
crooked. It has been a wonder to me
that there are not more dishonest men
than there are—S. H. S., Harriette, De-
cember 15.

CHEBOYGAN (South)—Our severe
cold for the past week has taken.a thaw
and the weather at this date IS quite
mild. Some beans to thresh yet and
some are still in the fields. ConSiderable
work is being done on the county roads.
It gives many farmers a chance to work
their teams cutting down hills and haul-
ing gravel. A number of farmers are
cutting wood for which there is a very
good market at $2.50 to $3100 per cord
for 16 inch wood. The market for stock
is quite brisk and many farmersare
selling closely on account of the scarctiy
of feed—Wolverine, Dec. 18.

KALKASKA (Southwest)——The farin-

ers are kickingpn the two grades of po—
tatoes. The weather has been down to

'zero brand. The farmers are not able to

do any work out of doors, as it has been
so cold; there is about 18 inches of snow.
Farmers are holding most of their pota—
toes. Nearly all of the farmers have to
buy grain to feed their stock—R. B.. So.
Boardman, Dec. 17. -

PRESQUE ISLE (Central)-——VVeather
has been very cold the past week and
aside from gettingup wood the farmers
are not doing much——-D. D. S., Millers-
burg, Dec. 17.

MANISTEE (Northwest)—The farm—
ers in this county have their farm work-
about completed for this season. Corn is
about all taken care of and beans are
all threshed. In this county beans were
a light yield and a poor grade. Some
test as high as forty per cent and the
price is $6.40 per bu. hand-picked basis.
There are not many being marketed, at
present. Hay is bringing from $24 to $30
per ton. There is nothing doing with
potatoes. The weather has been the cold-
est the past week I have ever seen’ it at
this time of year—C. H. 8., Bear Lake,
Dec. 16.

GENESEE (Southwest)-—There is not
much of anything being done on the
farms at this time. A few are husking
corn and threshing beans. The weather
has been warmer with a few light show—
ers, making the fields bare and the roads
muddy. The soil is thawing out and the
snow is nearly all gone. Hogs and other
livestock are moving quite lively. Hay
and grain are moving steady. Potatoes
that were frozen some during the last
cold spell are being put on the market.
Fall seeding is looking poorly. Farmers
are selling a bit of wood for fuel. espec—
ially in the cities, on account of the coal
shortage. Beans that have been threshcd
are turning out very poorly as a rule.
some picking as high as 35 lbs. per bu.—
C S., Fenton, Dec. 20.

OAKLAND (North)—i\'ot much to tell
in this report; not much business being
done. The potato market is off and not
much produce moving; most of the corn
is out in the fields. Some hay going to
market. A lot of poor stock going to
market on account of the scarcity of feed.
E. F., Clarkston, Dec. 20.

HURON (Northwest)——-V\'c are having
soft weather this week. Bean threshing
is in progress yet. Some are yielding
fair, and there are a good many acres
that are not worth threshing. Farmers
are marketing some grain and stock to
raise funds fort. taxes. Flour. $13 per
bb1.; wheat, $2.05, test 58. ‘Soft coal, $8
per ton and hard to get. A lot of
young farmers are discouraged and are
selling out and moving to the cities to
work. They are discouraged over the way
the government wants young men to do
farming. Something will have to be done.
——G. W., Elkton, Dec. 21

MASON (Westk—VVeather severe. Not
much produce moving to market at pres-
cut. The fact that wheat treated with
the formalin solution produced a very
poor stand while untreated [seed produced
a normal stand . is causmg comment
among the farmers. The difference is not
due to inexperience or poor seed as some
of the farmers have been usmg the solu-
tion for a number of years, and some of
the fields seeded with the treated seed
were finished with the untreated. Hogs
and poultry are moving freely; the de—
mand is good. Friday. Dec. 14, a potato
show was held at Sottville which was
well attended. Out of 18 varieties exhib-
ited Late Petoskeys won first place, re-
ceiving 21 out of 29 votes—B. M., Lud-
ington, Dec. 14.

    

OTSEGO (West Central)—The weather
has been changeable lately, cold and
warm, with about 8 inches of snow. The
farmers are getting up their winter sup-
ply of wood. Some of the farmers are
hauling logs to town—C. A., Gaylord, De-
cember 22. .

BAY (East)——Farm work has been fin-
ished for this winter. Bean threshing in
this community has been finished, some
of them are of very poor quality. and the
farmers are holding them for $8. Corn 1S
being shredded but the weather is not
very good for shredding. The cold weath—
er has caused a great scarcity of coal and
farmers are able to secure only a ton at
a time, and it is hard to get at that. Hay
is moving now. Land that was tiled has

' shown a great increase in crops compared

to undrained land. Tile has advanced $5
per thousand within the last two months.
Some pork and beef is being sold and a
few oats. Wishing M. B. F. a merry
Christmas and a prosperous New Year.—
(1. G.. Linwood. Dec. 22.

JACKSON (South)——Farmers are not
marketing grain at the present. too busy
getting up wood and trying to keep corn
husked for their fattening hogs. There
seems to be some. difficulty in getting
cars enough to ship stock. Many are
holding their beans for higher prices. It
is almost impossible to secure hard coal
and soft coal in only small amounts. You
can buy two pounds of sugar now at
some groceries. but not over the two—lb.
limit—G. 8., Hanover.

CALHOUN (Southwest)—~Our snow all
gone; ground frozen again; not very good
for wheat and rye. Farmers are drawing
wood to town and they need it as the coal
is just about as scarce as can be. Most
all of the hogs are marketed. Some wheat
going to market. A. good many farmers
are selling out and some are going off
their farms. Looks like a good many
auction sales another spring. TC. R. H,
Athens. Dec. 22

INGHAM (Northwest)~——VVO are having
nice warm weather after twenty below.
Farmers are cutting wood. Those who
have. timber can’t get coal. They are
cutting and hauling wood to town. get
$4.50 per cord for green maple and hick—
ory. Elevators are full; paying $6.50 for
beans. Hay $16 to $20 per ton: hogs off
.2 a hundred. Taxes just a little higher
than last year. $13.00 per thousand—~W.
B., Williamston. Dec. 21.

TUSPOI.A (Northeastl—~Aftcr a week
of extreme cold the weather is mild again.
Farmers are selling some grain. Farm
help is very scarce. Many old men are
left alone on the farm. Coal is scarce.
what. can be had is selling at $14.50 per
ton in 500 lb. lots. Popple wood sells at
$2.50 per cord. Many are using old pinc
stumps for fuel. S. S., Cass City, Dc—
cember

 

 

BAY (Southeast)—Farmcrs have, hccn
selling hay, are. waiting for cars now. thc
hay is mostly baled Not much can be
done now. crops were too poor to admit
of impro\‘-ments.—J. C. A., Munger; Dc—
ccmber 21.

MIDLAND (Norihwesi)—’l‘hc \veaihcr
.has been very cold up to a few days ago.
Now it is quite warm and the, snow is
fast disappearing. Farmers are gctiing
up wood and doing their annual lullv'licr—
ing. Not much produce moving from the
farm except live stock and a few bcnns.
The farmers are very much dissatisfied
with the new bcet contract and very few
are signing up.—F. A. L.. Coleman, Dc—
cember 20.

MONROE (East)—Last week it was
cold and there was snow to protect the.
wheat. but it is all gone now. \Vheat and
rye are small. Lots of corn in fieldf-rld.
11. M., Dec. 20.

MIDLAND (Southeast) Some, of tlic
farmers are hauling tile to be put in in
the spring. They are holding their beans
for higher price. (‘oal is scarce. and the
chemical plant at Midland is at a stand-
still for want of fuel—.1. ll. 11.. Hemlock,
Dec. 22.

()SFI‘IOL.‘ (Northeast)—-——l“;irmm's not
selling anything. Some would sell po~
[atocs but they can not be sold at any
price.~“’. A. S. Marion. Dec. 21.

INHIIA )1 (Soutlnvcsflsw'l‘he weather is
is cold; snow about all gone. Beans are
about ihrcshcd. they pick from 2 to 40
lbs. per bu. Farmers cannot get coal and
green wood is the fuel today. B. “Y.
Leslie, Doc. 31.

’1‘1'H('()LA (“'esi)—Aftcr two weeks of
zero wcather we are having spring—like
weather. Farmers have been threshing.
and it is most all done now. They are
selling mostly wheat and beans to get
money to pay taxes which are the high—
est the farmers have. ever had. As to
beans. the farmers who sell to the small
country elevators unless it. be a farmers"
co—operativc elevator, loses from $1.00 to
$2.00 on every 100 lbs, which is too much
these hard times. an week ago 1 took a
small load to a small town. which brot.
after water shrinking and pick were de-
ducted, $7.04. The next week 1 took two
loads to Saginaw which brought me. nftcr
water test and pick was deducted $8.64. a
difference of $1.60. Oh. yes, '1 can draw
beans 16 miles for that price. My neigh-
bor tried country elevator and city elc—
vator and says he made three dollars on
every bag he hauled to Saginaw. llurry
the farmers’ elevator along so the farm-
er gets out of the clutches of the clc—
vator sharks—J). B, Reese, Dec. 21.

NEWAYGO (Southwest)—'ii‘armers ill'e-
cutting wood getting ready for winicr.
Beans have taken a drop and all products
of the farm are moving slowly. Farmers
are badly discouraged about the bean
crop this year, and I don't think there
Will be many beans planted next year in
these .parts. The weather is fine for
this time of yearn—C. B., White Cloud,
Dec. 22.

 

 

 
  

 

 

ORECROP
From Ll ME!

Lime for Your
8011
The use of lime on your soil will
both increase the yield and improve
the quality of your crops. It corrects
a widely prevailing condition, acid or
“sour” soil. This condition may be pre-

sent on even the best cared for land and
should be looked for by the Litmus test.

As Fine as Flour

i

    

   

  

  
   
     
    
     
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
     
      
     
 

in Box Cars.

orin

lOO-lb. D ry,
Air-t ight Paper

    

          
     

 

 

 

_ eras

is superior,to any similar material you
have heretofore been able to obtain. It
contains a very high percentage of car-
bonates of lime and magnesia in their
proper proportion to each other, and the
fact that it is FINELY PULVERIZED
makes EVERY particle active for sweet-
ening your soil.

Does Your Soil
Need Lime?

The Solvay Process Co., is a large,
long—established, reputable concern. Our
resources guarantee our ability to be of
service to you, thru our laboratories and
engineers.

  
  
 
   
 
   
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
   
  
   
  
     
    

   

 

     
       
 

  

5W

creen
Furnace Dried
me as Flour

    

Write at once {or our booklet ‘\
or [or a package of Litmus
paper {or soil testing purposes

SOLVAY PROCESS co. .
581W Jefferson Ave., DETROIT, MICH.

()It SALE——80 acre farm in Lincoln

township. lsabellti county, 6 1,1,. miles
southwest of Mt. Pleasant and 7 miles
west of Shepherd and 5 miles northeast
of \Vinn. it has a good 8—room house
with a good largo stone ccllar and a good
well and windmill- by the back door and
a good barn with basement with cement
floors and n silo; room for 7 horses and
a large box stall in horse stable and the
cow stable has tie room for 0 or 10 head
with a large. box stall also. A large ap—
ple orchard, sonic cherry. pour. plum trees
and strawberries. Thcre is a small pond
in pasture quite well i'cnccd and about ‘1
acres of cedar, aboui 15 acres seeded to
.lune clover and 5 acres of rye, .‘l walnut
trees, one butternut in the dooryard.
Price is $7.000. Frank Eglrd’f, Shepherd.
.\lich., 1.10.1). No. 1. The reason for sell—
ing is that we. want to buy in Branch or
Calhoun county, Michigan. The mail
goes by the door.

 
    
    
 
  
     
  
   
     
    
   
   
    
  
    
    
       
 
    
    
     
     
  
        
     
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
    
   
     
   
  
    
   
 

 

DION’I‘CA L.“ (Southwest . )———. Farmers
are mostly through threshing beans which
are in a poor condition owing to the latc
rains rcccived in this locality Wcathcr
is more moderate than last week, as no
snow remains on the soil. A few loads
of potatoes are. being sold at the pricc of
$1.55 per cwt. at Miller’s Station—ll. l...
ilrecnville, llec. ‘11.

SAGINA“’ (Northwest)—VVeathcr is
milder and pleasant. Farmers arc cut-
ting wood. hauling up corn, ctc. Mar—
kets are well supplicd with hogs and
poultry. l’rcscnt wcather conditions are
unfavorable for whcat as the. ground is
freezing and thawing—~31. S. (1., 110m-
lock, Dec. 22.

I’RICSQUI') ISLE ((fenirnl)——-\Ve are
having good wintcr wcatlicr this week.
Nothing doing much; some are selling
hay and most all are getting up wood.—~
l). l). S, Millcrsburg, Dec. 22.

“'EXFORD (South (feiitral)——Somc of
ihc [armors llith‘ gone. to the lumber
camps to work, others just caring for
stock. \chthcr mild. Sleighing gctiing
thin in placcs. Not much farm producc
movingnwi A. ll.. Boon, Inc. 24.

 

 

l:‘armers are selling it at $20. The bean
situation is bad, the average pick is 30
lbs per 1311., and this is the way they work
it here: pick 30 lb:<.. loavcs 30 lbs to pay
for at 10 l-2c, per lb., $23.15. (‘harge 50,
per pound for pick, $1.50: $3.15 less $1.50
leaves $1.65 per bushel, and as the. yield
was an average of four bushels per acre
it makes an income of $0.60 per acre, and
the seed cost $5.00 per acre, you can see
Where we get off at. The, feed situation -
is serious here. .\‘o rough bay to be had
at any price, too many people went into
beans and potatoes. It will serve. as a.
check on the bean and potato acreage
next year. There are but very few beans
that will be fit to plant next year. and
lots of potatoes were chilled. There is
no seed corn here and southern seed corn
is no good for us. F. M., Elberta, De-
cember 22.

ARENAC (Norihwesi)——'l‘hc l'armcrs
are cutting. hauling. and selling wood
at $1,5o o. $3,011 pci‘ cord. This is the
first green Christmas we have had‘in 10
_vc;irs. The weather is damp and rainy.
The farmers are holding what few beans
they have for $8. Some farmers are sell-
ing and shipping hay. The farmers are
not buying or building anything on ac-
count of material being so high. We en-
,ioy reading all the reports in the M. B. F.
li(‘(‘2l.USe we. know it's the gospel truth.
The writer gave one narrow contracted
pin‘hcad a good trimming for calling the
\l_ H 19. pro-German.——A. F., Alger,
Dec 24

BENZ”) (Ween—Getting up wood and
working on gravel roads when they can
got a chance. Beans are on the down-
hill and potatoes at a standstill at 60c
per bu. for best grade. Nothing moving
except hay, and this is nearly all gone.

 

 
 
 
    
 
    
 

LIVINGSTON (NorthwesU—Most of
the farmers are busy caring for their
stock and getting fire wood. Snow about
all gone. Not much being marketed—G.
A. W., Fowlerville, Dec. 22

 
  
 
     
      
     
          
 
   

   
 


 

 

II'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIT111I‘111

 

 

QIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIll|IIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII11111|IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE

This Week’s Tested Recipe 5

RISEN CORNBREAD FOR SUPPER

The spoon breads are equally good for sup-
per and always make a substantial dish with
a meat stew. When company is coming on you
want to surprise the family, try risen cornbread
for supper. It is not advisable to attempt it
for b1eakfast because meal ferments so rapidly
with yeast that the p10duct is likely to be sour
by morning.

()ne cake compressed yeast, two cups sweet
milk, scalded and cooled, two tablespoons brown
sugar, two tablespoons lard. two and one-half
cups white cornmeal, one cup sifted flour, one
teaspoon salt. two eggs well beaten.

Dissolve yeast and sugar in lukewarm milk
and add melted fat. Stir in the cornmeal. tlou1,
salt and add well beaten eggs. Beat thorough—
ly. Fill greased bow] two~thirds full. Set to
rise in a warm place for about an hour. Be
careful that it does not ox e1 rise. It should be
baked as soon as ligh. The baking will require
from twenty to thiIty minutes, according to
thickness of pone. I

IIIIIIIln ' ‘ 11111111111111111111111'1‘1111111111111

Have You Had This Experience?
My dear Anne Campbell Stark:~— '

I have enjoyed every issue of the MICHIGAN
BI‘SINESS FARMING and particularly our own page.
However. the entire paper has interested me. I
have always thought the business end of farming
fascinating, and my husband says that is because
I came to the farm with a fresh viewpoint.

I was a city girl. Had lived there for twenty-
two years of my life before I went to spend a va—
cation where I met my big. fine farmer husband.
I worked in an office, and made good money, and
my husband says my business training has helped
him many times. That remark always makes me
proud, because I believe a woman Should be an
an all ’round partner in her married life. Many
women think if they prepare their husband‘s
meals and keep his house, their duty ends. I
have tried to be a partner in the business end of it
too. As a special reward of merit I always have a
pig or two, a calf, and some baby lambs all my
own, which I care for faithfully, and the money
they bring is my very own to do with as I please.
My husband,is not at all “tight” in money mat-
ters. l have a regular allowancewa salary just as
I did when I was working. He never questions
my expenditure of this money, and he does not
know that in the ten years of our married life I
have put, away $2,500. I remember sometimes the
plays I saw when I was in town,—h0w the son
lifts the mortgage from the old home, and have had
a vision of a run of hard luck sometime, when my
unexpectedly having some money of my own might
help a great deal. I am really saving my money
for the youngsters, though, two boys whom it is
the dream of my life to send through college.

When I first married and moved to Maple Grove
Farm, many of my husband’s relatives questioned
his wisdom in marrying a city girl. They said
it was impossible for a girl who had been used
to the life and gayety of town to be happy on the
quiet farm. They were afraid I would not be
practical enough to manage the butter, and the
hens and fowl. but the joke so far has been on
them!

I may not, have the light pleasures I had when I
was in town. We cannot go out of an evening
to a show; that is, very often, though we do oc-
ionally take the interurban to a town near-by
where some good productions are often staged.
But, we have a machine, and in the summer I take
the children for drives, and in the evenings we
go together. We have all the latest books and
magazines and we, both are very fond of reading.
We are ambitious t‘or ourselves and for our child-
ren, and I am proud to say that s‘uce my marriage
Maple Grove Farm has grown far more prosper-
ous than it ever was before. My husband says
that, is because I111 has the inspiration of myself
and our boys

Now, dear Mrs. Stark. don't publish this letter.
l know you must come in touch with other wom-
en’s lives Occasionally. and it occurred to me to
write you and tell you 110w much I enjoy your
poems and your real helpful articles. And‘ when
I got started I just rambled on. I feel like vis—
iting today! Write me and tell me something
about yourself. I have always wondered about
the personality of the woman who runs our page.
Are you young, old, married or single? Don’t be
stingy! (I hope you won’t think this is too per-
sonal.)

My very best wishes to you for Christmas and
the New Yea1‘.~~—Jllrs. M. T. 0., Kalamazoo.

‘1 II 0

I certainly enjoyed Mrs. C.’s letter and I was dis-

H11I1IIII IT:

;::.I|illIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII11111III|IIII|1111|II1111I111111111111111111111111111-1‘111111111111111’111”.111111‘ 1111111111111111111111111111111:1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111:11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

ANNE CAMPBELL STARK. EDITOR

appointed when I came to ’the paragraph where she
told me not to publish it, because I knew you would
all enj0y it too. However, I wrote her such a
pleading letter that her heart melted and she sent
me word that I could publish it.

The subject of a city girl on a farm, or the
farmer girl in town has always been a matter of
interest to me. I have heard folks say that the
only way to be happy was for a farmer to marry
a farmer, a city man a city girl. However when
love comes into the window the memory of other
folks’ opinions flies out of the door, and many
brave young people have braved the displeasure of
their relatives by marrying whom they pleased.

I wonder if some more of you folks have had
an experience at all like Mrs. C.’s? Did every-
one think you were foolish to marry and “bury”
yourself on the farm? And did your new inter-
ests bring you happiness? I think some letters
along this line would interest everyone of us.

Do let’s swap experienées, and have a real gos-
sipy, visity time!

Address Mrs. Anne Campbell Stark, Editor
Woman's Page, MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARMING, Mt.
Clement, Michigan.

I

The New Year

H, the New Year may be a blue year,

A sick-and-sad-ycar; the worst-
wc‘ve-had ycar. '

It could scarcely be (I glad year

With so many follows fighting ovcr thcrc.

But the new year can be a true ycar,

A dare-oml-do year; a help-a-few year.

Yes. it surcly can be (I do ycar,

thn we'll do a little bit more than our
share.

H, the next year may be a vcaccd year.
A full-of—pain ycar; (In all-in-vain
year.
It could scarccly bc (1 sane ycar
lVith so many fcllou‘s missing cvcry—
where. ,
But that some ycar can bc a game ycar.
.11 smilc-or-bust year; in 0011-1012—17'1181
year.
l'cs. it syrcly can be a gamc year
When we learn to. as 1711’ Spartans, grin
and bear.

 

I w
filgumi 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111n11111111111111111u1111111u11111111mm

H. thc New Year
A weary long ycar.
ycm‘.
.11 ml it somchou‘ will seem a wrong ycur
With so many fcllows dying over their.
But the New Ycar will be (1 true year,
F0met-yourself ycm‘ ,1 don't lay-up-pclf
1/6072
And we‘re surc it's a, fight-‘cm—through
year.
A hclp-usytin-thc-H'ar
7~A.\‘.\'11:

may be a blue ycar.
a go-at-it-strong

ycar. cocrywhere.’
CAurmci L STARK.

1111111u111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 111-1-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

\h11111111111111111111111111111111u1111|11111111111111111111111 11111111111111 11111 11 L11

 

II

A New Year’s Party

CALENDAR contest affords a great deal of
amusement for an informal New Year’s
gathering.

Each guest, is provided with water color paints
and drawing paper, calendar pads, paste, pens, ink,
pencils and brushes. Each is allowed to make his
own selection of pencil or pen and ink des'gn or
water colors.

A half hour is allowed for this work—or three-
quarters at the outside. After that time has elap-
sed each guest writes his initials on the back and
the calendars are collected and carried away by a
committee of two or three “artists" to decide upon.
may be awarded for the funniest, the
the poorest and the one best exe-
Inakcs an appropriate

Prizes
most original,
cuted. A pretty calendar
prize.

For a young high school crowd the “Bell Game”
will prove fascinating. Young folks like to ex-
ercise their wits! Each guest is given a paper
and a pencil. At the top of this paper or card is
sketched a string of bells and beneath was writ-
ten: How many of.these bells can you name?
Then came the following descriptive phrases:

l A bell that is 411mm peaceful, 2, a sea hell; 3, a
noisy animal bell; . an unsubmisshe bell; 5, an a1ch—
itectural hell; 6, a 4litelary hell; 7, a scolding Biblical
hell; 8, a flower bell; II, a city (belI) in Ireland; 10, an
herb; it means “beautiful lady.”

The answers which the guests are supposed to
figure out, of course, are as follows:

1, belligerant; 2, bell-buoy; 3, bellowg 4, rebel; 5,
Q

, She may

$11IIIIIIIII1|IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIliIiA'IIIhIIlIIIIIIIII;

Uncle Sam’s Thrift Thought

MEAT SUBSTITUTES

Impelled by economy and war duty, house-
keepers are collecting meat substitute dishes.
These dishes are high in protein value and
should be served in place of meat and in combin-
ation with fresh vegetables. I’dtatoe.: and to—
matoes combine well with bean dishes. Corn
bread and a green salad make an excellent com-
bination with the fish kedgeree.

Beans and Rice ,

Two cups cooked kidney beans. two cups of
cooked rice, four cups tomato sauce.

To make the tomato sauce, brown three tab-
lespoons of flour in one-quarter cup of drip-
pings of vegetable oil and mix with one quart
of strained tomatoes and one tablespoon grated
onion. ,Cook sauce five minutes; combine hot
rice and beans, pour over them the hot sauce
and serve.

Creamed Peas or Beans

One pint dry beans or peas, half cup milk. tea—
spoon drippings, two teaspoons syrup, teaspoon
salt, pinch red pepper.

Soak beans in cold water overtnight or until
hulls rub off easily; rub between hands until all
skins are‘removed; boi‘l slowly with just enough
water tocover them until thoroughly done; pass
through a ricer; add other ingredients; whip as
for creamed potatoes; serve hot.

Fish Kedgeree

One and one-half cups flaked cooked fish, one
egg, four tablespoons rice, one teaspoon choppcd
onion. salt and pepper to taste, two tablespoons
drippings.

Wash rice and drop slowly into fast-boiling
water, with a teaspoon of salt, and boil fast
until tender (about 20 minutes.) Drain well
and dry in colander. Boil the egg hard. cool it
in cold water, and Chop it coarsely. Melt the
fat in a saucepan, stir in the cooked rice, add
the fish and seasoning. ake it very hot, then
add the chopped egg, and serve at once. If on—
ion is liked. fry it slightly in the fat before
putting in the rice.

1 11: ‘1'1‘ 1‘11 11111:

8,4b1uebell;

.111111111111‘111‘1111"1‘11.“
Corbel; 6, Belles letters; 7, Jezebel;
Belfast; 10 Belladonna.
In Russia the giils play “fortunes” at, New Year

time. A large dish of water is put into the center
of the table. Into this each girl puts a bit of
jewelry, and then covers the dish with a napkin.
A series of verses is then chanted, and at each
verse, the leader takes out one of the bits of
jewelry at random. The particular verse being
sung tells the fortune of the owner.

The maiden fair who wears this thing

Soon shall wear a diamond ring.

The owner of this piece in sight
Shall soon be decked in bridal white.

The little maid who wears this gaud
As a Red Cross nurse will go abroad.

And the next one we do find
Will always have a contented mind.

Riches will never come thy way.
Thou wilt earn thy bread from day to day.

Friends will be thine throughout thy life
To keep thee ever from want and strife.

She whose jewel now comes in view
Shall have her dearest Wish come true.
Joy will be thine for evermore.

A welcome waits at every door.

Midday Dinner Cornbreads

‘ ‘ VHEN THERE is so much corn and not

enough wheat, it is worth while to learn to

eat cornbread the American woman serves.
make her dinner conrbread plain or
make it with eggs, but, if she wants to create a
cornbread appetite in her family, she should nuke
it of fresh unbolted meal and make, it crisp and
golden brown.

Corn l’ones

Two cups white meal, two cups buttermilk. hali‘
teaspoonful soda, toaspoonful salt. tablespoon molt-
ed fat.

Put fat in biscuit, tin or iron griddle on top of
the stove. While, it is heating, sift meal and add
salt. Stir soda into the buttter-milk, mixing thorr
oughly. When I'roth'ng reaches its height, pour
milk into meal and stir together. Add the smok-
ing hot fat. The mixture should be a very
batter. If too thick, more milk or water may be
added. Drop from spoon in small oblong cakes in
the hot pan. Leave the pan on top of the stove
until the bread begins to rise, then cook in mod-
erately hot oven. The crust of the cornbread 3
should be thick, crisp and golden brown '

st iI'I‘

(‘ornmcal Sticks

Two and one -half cups commeal, half cup flour
teaspoon soda, teaspoon salt. teaspoon baking pow
der, 1 egg, 2 cups buttermilk, 1 cup sweet milk.
Sift meal, flour and baking powder together,
Add salt. Stir soda into the buttermilk until
thoroughly dissolved, and while milk is frothing
vigorously, mix with meal and .flour. Add sweet
milk. Beat thoroughly and add well-beaten egg.
Have ready irons well greased and very hot. Flour
mixture in at. once and bake in quick oven until
crisp brown. '

\

11111111111111

 

11,11111111111

11111111111111

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII‘1111


. auefi -

 

 

 

at
-' United States has

 

Hawaii has 14 volcanic craters.
. 1|:

Canton, Ohio, workhouse inmates are
knitting for soldiers. .
all: at at .

Peru was the first country to add in-
struction in aviation to its public ’school

curriculum.
=lt< Ill‘
added twenty thou-
sand persons to Washington Department
payrolls on account of the war.

European factories each week make
about sixteen million pounds of artificial
butter with cocoanut oil as a base.

all: or i!

John McCormack, foremost tenor of
America, will sing around the United
States until he has raised $100,000 for
the Red Cross.

at =li= >)l=

In order to conserve coal, Washing—
ton. D. C.. has ordered two “Iightless
nights" every week in which all street
signs, lights in stores not opened, except
such as are necessary for protection of
safes, will be turned off and only street
lights turned on. Detroit is co-operat-
ing'in this matter also, and is observing
to a large extent, “lightless nights”
every night.

IF i! ll:

Congress in its present session, will
be asked to obtain more of Niagara’s
power to help make war- munitions. In
order to do this, it will be necessary to
amend the British treaty with the Unit-
ed States, known as the “Britten Bill"
passed a year and a half ago in which
the horsepower allowed the United
States was reduced to 160.000 while Can-
ada was allowed 700,000 horsepower
It is stated that millions of horse-
power are now going to waste, and the
United States will be urged to develope
this waterpower as (“llililft has done.

Will” H ”.i‘i‘ "i"l’i'W'llllllllllll'll “l“liilllll. lillrlillillli‘llllllliilllllllllllllllg-

Ill

 

UP-TO-DA'I‘E FASHIONS

This begins a new feature which 1’3
know will interest every wonam who’
reads this magazine. The old poems
_ tell us that we can live without ever)
Ething but cooks. How does it run‘.‘
Anyway it ends: “Who‘can live with-
out dining?" We‘ll paraphrase it, and .
say: "Who can live without dress-J
ring?” Not \ve women. at any ratc.’
and most of us couldn‘t live happily
2‘; without sewing either. .
Numbered 8575, the little dressing":
‘sacque, of “matinee” as it is called;
and the cap, would make a pleasingE
addition to the bride‘s trousseau. This:
comes in sizes 34, 38, and ‘13 inchcsE
bust measure. The sacque is in one
piece, with graceful points at the sides
and on the sleeves. The cap may be
made to correspond.

Even those of us who have not the
co'rage to sew for ourselves indulge
in the art for our small children. Al
the price of readymade
clothes we find it pays. The child's
dress numbered 8584 is cut in one piece
and comes in sizes 2, 4, 0, 8, and 10
years. It is made with panels at thc
‘_ front and back and the sleeves may?
2:: be long or short. The neck may be?
3. finished with or without the collar, but
a: I would never think of leaving the col—
é lar off would you?
7' A very pretty style indeed for the
misses or small woman is that num—
E bered 8570. It comes in sizes 2, ‘1, 0,
f; 8 and 10 years. The waist has the
3? Russian side closing, and the two-gor-
3, ed skirt is gathered all around to the
I: slightly raised waistline.
ii These patterns are only ten cents
:3 each. We have been careful in choos-
: ing them, and I know you will all be
i: pleased with them.
Any suggestions as to color or ma-
terials will be gladly answered through
2 these columns.

Address, Fashion Department, Mich—
igan Business Farming, Mt. Clemens,
Michigan.

    
 

 

 
   
  
 
  
 

.I"Elllllllllll‘lllllliiiiiinh.

 

    

 

 

lllllllllllllllllmullIlllllllllllllllllllIlllliIWllllllllllllillllllilllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllllllllillllilllllll‘i

i

 

 

 

 

uidifamers in early spring plowing.

Government loans to farmers in Oct-
tober amounted to $7,374,044, practically
double the' amount paid out during the
previous month. Applications for loans
in the twelve federal banks total $193,-
250,945. .
I t t C

An increase of ten cents per hundred
pounds on beet sugar has been authoriz-
ed by the Food Administration in order
to put this sugar on a level with cane
sugar. This should not affect the retail
price, however.

it =X< 1!

Within the last month 77,500,000 one—
cent pieces have been coined to relieve
the penny shortage caused by war taxes.
Demand for small coins for holiday shop-

pers has been anticipated by the coin—-

age of 18,700,000 dimes and 11 million

nickels ,
I! t It

After much hesitancy and against
the wishes of its officers, the Carnegie
Steel Company has acceded to urgent
requests of the navy department to
take over and operate the Alloy Steel
Forging Company, of Carnegie, Pa, This
is the first instance known where gov—
ernment has taken over a plant or op-
eration by itself or agents.

at at: =ll= ‘

Henry Ford has notified France that
that country could have 12 thousand
Ford tractors. He is now pushing an
order of six thousand for England
and these and the French supply will
be delivered before the demand for Amer-
ica is met. All Ford tractors are now
being constructed with fittings to create
their own light for night work. Test
of these tractors will be made in the south
during the winter inonths

I

Land along the old Illinois and Michi—
gan Canal that is being seized by squat—
ors and is worth ten thousand dollars an
acre according to valuations placed by
real estate men acquainted with south-
west side property, states the Chicago
.Tournal. They estimate that the filled-
in land in the 00 foot channel and the
ninety foot strip on each side will aver-
age ahout 33 acres per mile, making it
possible to greatly increase the popula-
tion in this region.

at: at: a:

Another payment of 25 million dollars
has been made to Italy on hcr credit of
500 million dollars. bringing the amount
actually paid on this credit up to date

320 million dollars.
II t t

A new coal mining tract has been
opened in the Matanuska field, Alaska,
and the government has extended its
tract to a point nearby and hopes to be
able by next summer to mine enough to
supply the Pacific coast and the navy.
Applications for lease are being receiv—
ed at the present time.

RAISE MORE SHEEP;
HELP CLOTHE THE ARMY

The wool from twenty sheep is used
to make the clothing and other equip-
ment of one soldier.

Six farms out of every seven in the
United States have no sheep.

Sheep can be produced profitably on
almost every farm.

What about your farm? If you keep
twenty sheep you are outfitting one
soldier yho is risking his life for your
freedom. If you have a flock of 200
sheep you will clothe ten men who are
fighting in France. And if you have
no sheep you are failing to do all that:
is in your power tOchelp win the war.

Get some sheep. '

They make both meat, and woolrr-
and both are badly needed. By proper
management they can be produced on
the average farm without entailing a
reduction of other livestock, and with—
out interfering with any other agri-
cultural plans. ‘

More than the entire wool produc-
tion of the United States will be used
for our armies. Where will we get
the wool to make clothes for the ci-
vilians? Every ship is needed to trans-
port men and supplies from America
to Europe. Unless the necessity is ex-
treme we can’t spare ships for long
voyages to Australia, South Africa
and South America to get wool. Fur-
thermore, those countries have not in-
creased their production. The prob-
lem must. be solved by the production
of more sheep on farms throughout
the United States. VVo‘must produce
our wool at home instead of hauling
it from the other side of the world.
We can do that if the six farms out of
seven that have not kept sheep will
begin to build up flocks in proportion
to the size of the farm—at the ratio
of one sheep to each three acres. W‘e
can do it if you will put some sheep
on your farm.

You will be helping produce cloth-
ing and meat for our soldiers and for
yourself. You will be helping win the
war. You will be making more money
from your farm.

L. 'Patton urges Pennsylvania to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

smoke, and then what?

at so low a cost to you.

$65,000

for Policy
25c. per H. P. '

   
 

Like a Thief in the Night

——an over-heated. exhaust pipe, at “back" explosion, and your car ignites. There is
no chance to save it—too much gasoline and oil around.
No automobile owner can afford to take the chance of his
car burning on the road or in the garage when he can buy

CITIZENS MUTUAL FIRE, THEFT
AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

Tell us what car you own on a postal today!

‘ 7 “WM AU ‘ . _
)‘iHEFT- LIABCg/%'b0

Wm. E. ROBB, Sec’y

CITIZENS MUTUAL AUTO INS. CO.,
Howell, Michigan

  

 
 

The car goes up in

          
     
   
   
   

  

' 28,400
MEMBERS

     
 

lilllllllllllllllillll

  

'J~_

 
 
  
 
   

POLICY A“ 25"?
HOWELL.M\°“"

  

Claims Paid.

 
      

 

Sheep, in proportion to the value of
their products. are produced more
economically on the farm than ’any
other live stock; the feed and labor
requirements are less. They fit in with
practically every kind of farming; get
much of their subsistence from for-
age. from grazing weeds and grass
that would not support other stock.
They eat almost no feed that has a
value as human food. and need less
grain than other animals. They add
materially to the farm rcxcnno but
add very little. relatively, to the farm
expenses.

Since 1014 wool and mutton prices
have doubled and some grades of wool
have trcblcd. Those, who are in close
touch Willi the sheep industry believe
that attractive prices will continue.
During the war ovor-prodin‘tion secms
impossible.

The United States now has 1,200,000
fewer sheep than in 10141. Our pro—
duction of wool has steadily declined
since 1910. when it was 321320.750
pounds. to 290102.000 pounds in 1014.
288,400,000 pounds in 1910 and 285.—
573,000 pounds in 1917. But while
our production dccrcased our mumr
facturing consumption incrcascd from
550356.525 pounds in 1914 to 7217.079.-
924 pounds in 1,010. in 1917 the
amount. manufactured will be even
larger. and it seems certain that it
will continuc to incrcasc during the
war.

The difference between the amounts
we, produced and manufactured rep-
resents our wool importations from
other countries. “’8 have gotten in—
to the habit of using a great deal more
wool than we produced—we’d just
send over to Australia or South Amer-
ica or perhaps somewhere in Asia and
get what we needed. But the ship
shortage now interferes with that un-
economic arrangement—which, in the
long run will be a very valuable
thing for America. Present war ne-
cessities will teach us the lesson we
would have had to learn at some time

 

  
  
       
  
 

c [HilfiiiifClii‘fl

30,000 sou—rim mu
More Comfortable,

Healthful, Convenient

Eliminates the out-house,
opcn vault, and cesspool,
which are brooding places
for germs. limo a warm,
sanitary, odorless toilet right
in your house. No going out.

in cold weather. A boon to

H l!
in ullllllllllTRW
v invalids. I‘Indorsed by State
Boards of Health.

ABSOLUTELY ODORLESS

. Put It Anywhere In The 1101188

The germs are killed by a chemical process in
water in the container. Empty oncea month.
No morotronblo to cmpty than asln-s. (‘lIL‘H‘L ab—
solutoly guaranteed. Guarantee on file in the
office oftliis publicai ion. Ask for catalog and prico
ROWE SANITARY MFG. 00. 52016”: ST., DETROIT,
Ask about the Ro-San \A aslmtmnlr Hot and Cold mlc“
~ Running Water Wllllulll, l'lumbing '

     

 

 

to establish shccp production per-
manently as a part of general Amer-
ican agriculture.

EXPERTS TO SAVE LIFE
OF FAMOUS CALIF. TREE

A battle for the liVe of Southern
California’s most famous tree began
last. week with the most noted citrus
culture experts of the world on the
firing line. After hearing the first
navel oranges ever grown in the Unit—
ed States and being parent to groves
producing $07,000,000 in choice fruit
annually, the tree at the head of: Mag-
nolia avenue in Riverside is believed
to be dying. A. l). Shamel, of the
United States experiment station. Dr.
H. J. VVebbcr, of the University of
California horticultural department,
and consulting experts are making
every effort to diagnose the, disease
that threatens death to the pioneer
among millions of citrus trees now
spread over the state.

The tree was planted in 1873 by Mrs.

C. L. Tibbetts, who obtained it from_

the government horticultural gardens
at Washington. It came originally
from Bahia, Brazil. The variety of

fruit was named Washington Navel, .

in honor of the national capitol.

    

 


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., 4...: mwxwp‘ ~1_(-Kb war

if .,.;&,_-‘1'_;.;; {‘22: :;;L-$,:_‘At4r ': _

til

 

 

. ~‘.A,._‘.l r: 31

 

 

Illinois “Sleuth” and Prosecutor

Declares He ,Will Round Up
Villainous Farmers Who
Dare to Protect Rights

 

- Mister Hoyne, the Illinois State At-
torney and prosecutor,—your pardon,
—-persecutor, is a regular fire-eater.
He’s a brave man, too. For the last
three months he has been on the trail
of a band of “desperadoes”, as Mis-
ter Hoyne has just characterized the
Illinois milk producers, in his most
recent denunciatory remarks on the
clash between the farmers and the
Chicago distributors.

“This gang of desperadoes" have
not only violated the conspiracy laws
of the state and nation, but have 8.1-
so been guilty of violence, the de
struction of property. and have threat-

‘ ened to take life. The great army of

Chicago milk sellers. (poor fellows)

'have gone unrepresented except for

my office at the hearings of the price
inquiry commission.” So says Mr.
Hoyne

If the gentleman from Illinois con-
tinues much longer in the above er-
ratic and libelous fashion. those whom
he charges with having threatened to
take life. should take him out some
dark night along the lake shore and
give his shivering bones a protecting
coat of tar and feathers.

If the State Attorney is trying to
curry public favor, it shouldn‘t be
necessary for him to trump up charg-
es against the farmers; there’s plen-
ty of actual vice conditions right in the
heart of Chicago that need investi-
gating mighty bad, and then there’s
the packing companies as well. Why
not go after big game, Mister Hoyne,
instead of trailing the poor farmer
who is fighting for his bread and
butter? Or maybe you are not equip-
. Ml to handle the big fellows. How
about it?

DOWAGIAC GLEANERS OP-
POSE GRADING METHODS

 

l'nanimously opposing the present
methods adopted in Michigan by the
shippers in grading potatoes for mar—
ket. over 60 members of (‘ushing Ar-
bor of Cleaners and farmers general-
ly met at the Silver (‘reek town hall
and discussed the situation and meas-
ures to change it, accordingr to the
Dou'auiuc News.

Men from all parts of the township,
and especially potato growers. were
present and voiced their protest
against it. and so earnest did they be—
come that every farmer present show—
ed by a rising vote that he was ready
and willing to pledge himself to not
sell a potato under this method.

This was the most enthusiastic
meeting of farmers ever held in Silver
(‘reek township. They were convinced
in their own minds of the unfairness
of the grades. and many cases were
”ted to show that the potato growers
of Michigan were being discriminated
against. as the markets Were not offer-
ing graded stock.

It was cited that buyers in nearby
towns were buying potatoes graded
over but one screen, and local buyers
came in for censure for the extra
grading. There was not a farmer
present who opposed a fair grade. or
who objected to sorting his stock, but
they refused to sell under the double
grading system.

AVERAGE! MICH. PRICES
WEEK ENDING DEC. 22.

 

Wheat, $1.99; hay, $19.58; potatoes,
per cwt., $1.25 2-3; rye, $1.63; oats,
$.70; butter, $.43 1-2; hens, $.15; eggs
$.44. ‘

 

December 20th, 1917 “ , ,
Dear friends of the farmer: ( V

p I take ”several farm papers-hut there isn’t a ,one .;
of them that can compare with yours. I don’t be- I
‘lieve there is a farm paper in the United States
that’s trying any harder to help the farmer than M.

B. F. I have received just four copies of the-paper
and I consider they alone were worth the dollar I
have paid for a year’s subscription. We couldn’t
get along without the paper now.

The farmer who doesn’t read M. B. F. cannot
realize what he is missing. It ought to he in every
farm home in Michigan, and I for one, will help
put it there. I notice you are going to have a
Booster Day. Well, you can bank on me to send
you in five new subs, and more if I get the time.

With best wishes for a prosperous new year,

I remain,

   

.
Next week Monday, December
43lst., tells the story!
We asked for 10,000 new

1918. Did YOU send YOUR share?

Your friend If not, there is still time to get
HARRY CLINTON, one, two, or morepf your neighbors

I Eaton County to hand you a dollar, or tell you
‘ ' when they will send it for Michigan

 

 

 

 

Business Farming!

Can it be done? Can we multiply the fighting force of Michigan business farmers by ten thous-
sand in a single day ?——From every corner of this great peninsularpstate have come the letters—the
response that says “yes! you set the day and we will show what the farmers of Michigan can do
for a proposition they believe in!”

. Will you do your share—‘we know you will—We know we can count on every loyal supporter of
this paper and the principles it represents—for after all a publication is not just so much white paper
and black ink—at least, we know you will agree this weekly it not!

Michigan Business Farming is more than a paper—it is a living, breathing movement among

the farmers of one great state in this Union to get honest prices for what they have to sell—to get
part of the war—time prices which are being paid for what they raise—to be represented as a body
at every council which concerns the farming interests and to have behind them a force in numbers
so powerful that they can demand, not beg for that which is their rightful share!

So when you go over-the-top for Michigan Business Farming between the hour you read this
and the night you mail in your report, you work not alone that your neighbor may receive
the same benefits as yourself, but that he, enlisted in a common cause with you, will help YOU get
what you are striving for!

Every business farmer and farmer’s wife in the state of Michigan are vitally concerned in the
successful growth of this weekly and the cause it represents as you, yourself. They are as anxious

to lend their hand—to help with their bit and therein lies the great secret of this Booster’s Day!

We ask YOU to show this copy of your wekly to every neighbor within riding or driving dis-
tance of your home! Tell them what we—and this includes you who already have lent your support
—are trying to accomplish. Ilo win these few months we. have shown up how badly Michigan need-
ed a real publication, around which all the farmers of the state, irrespective of their creed, organiza-
tion or local interests could rally! What this kind of a paper is going to mean to every farmer in
Michigan in dollars and cents! .

You know what you like in M. B. F.—now- tell your neighbors, for they want what you want and
they will thank you for telling them!

Surely we do not ask that any business farmer or his wife should appear as a canvasser—you
are not asked to act. as our agent—we ask only in the name of the farmer’s cause that you secure one,
five, ten volunteers from among your neighboring farms who will in turn help furnish the ammuni-
tion for Michigan Business Farming! '

We set the price at a dollar for a year, so that every farmer, rich or poor, can afford to take it
and profit by it! The dollar a year will hardly more than cover the bare cost of paper and printing
of the 52 issues, but we’ve dedicated the largest '
magazine press in Michigan to the farmers’ cause

names, to be sent, if possible before ,

and supplied with your ammunition in thel 7

shape of dollar—subscriptions it becomes a giant
Howitzer» in the defense of your rights.

BOOSTER DAY COUPON

(Pin this to your report mailed if possible before 1918)

In this December 22nd issue, an envelope is I .
enclosed which you are to return with your re- i MICHIGANMfiUziNESS iéiMING,
port a, week from Monday night. .I’low'many , - emens, 10 - .
names can you be proud to have enlisted In this I I V9 5101,19 over the tOD for M. B. F. and the cause it
cause? \Ve ask only that you do your best! represen 8-
I Enclosed find check, or money-order or currency to
Pin this to Your report, mailfit if i amount of $ in.payment of .....
ossible in Monday nights mail, 1 not _ ’
:‘lall it sometime during the week of i subscribers whose-names I have marked paid, also .....
- subscribers who have promised to send you One Dollar
Monday, December 3lst., . 1917 I each or; the dates noted.
(I’- S-—-11 any farmer you canon for any reason de-i Booster
sires to pay later, 30, 60 or 90 days, simply have him , . . . ,
write—"I want M. B. F. and I'll send you One Dollar on I P. O . .. ' . ... . . . . ..... R.F.D. N0.. .. .. .
or before ..................... ” you can send his name » , .
so he will start receiving the paper right away and he i County ................. ..... State ...............
can ““1 his “0“” 1“" dire“ to this °m°°') i (We will send each subscriber a receipt from this office)

—_————-———-—————_————u

r