mess FARING The Independent Farm, Home and Market Weekly, for Michigan Business Farmers Vol. V- No. 18 SATURDAY, JANUARY 51h, 1918. 1PEBYIAB,- -NoI’requms $ Free List or Clubbing Utter! GROWERS *ENLIST AID 0F SEN. WM. ALDEN SMITH IN GRADING FIGHT Grand Rapids Senator Promises 'M.‘ B. F. He Will Use His In- fluence Toward Relieving the Farmers of Michigan from Injustice _ . senator William Alden Smith has stated positively to this publication that he would use his influence to secure a revision of the potato grades. In‘an interview withan M. B. F. rep- resentative at Grand Rapids last week, the senator said: “Yes, .I have received a number of complaints from the farmers about this potato grading matter, and referr- ed them to the committee. I have not realized the seriousness of the situ- ation until this moment. If what you have told me is true, the farmers ,of the state are certainly being im- posed upon, and you can rest assured that as soon as I return to Washing- ton I shall investigate the matter thoroly. You have to use a hammer on some of those fellows. You may rest assuerd that. I shall not let the farmers of Michigan suffer such in- justice if it is within my power to prevent.” . Senator Smith realizes that as long as the growers of other states are not being compelled to sell their potatoes in an ungraded condition. the farm- ers of Michigan are being discrimin‘ ated against, which is both a mon- strous imposition on the farmers and a rebuff to the state’s senatorial and congressional representation. We have taken Senator Smith at his word; we believe he has the interests of the farmers at heart and that he will do all he says he will to relieve the sit- uation. By reason of his long ser- vice in Washington and his wide ac- quaintanceship, Senator'Smith should be able to exert sufficient influence to help the farmers out of the present mess, and we are hopeful he will suc- ceed. It would be well for every read- er to write Senator Smith a letter encouraging him to do his very best. Some astonishing developments are looked for in the near future. The growers haven't yet been told the whole story of how these grades hap- pened to be foisted upon them this year. Of that we are convinced. Neither do they know the two or three gentlemen who were atthe bottom of the whole thing. We may be oblig— ed after all to exonerate those in charge at Washington and place the responsibility nearer home. And if that responsibility can be placed,.we think the gentlemen in question will be only too glad to make such late amends as possible to undo the damage they have caused rather than to have their short- sightedness and unfriend- liness to the farmers’ interests expos ed. But of that—more later. Reports have been circulated in a number of the state papers that M. B. F. had been converted to the govern- ment method of grading and had abandoned the fight. It is an abso- y Immummunnmnmnmnmnnmunmimnmnmm lute lie, and We are thankful that the majority of our readers who read these reports had the good sense to recognize it as such. It was started by those who ane trying to force these grades down the farmers’ throats, in hopes that it would weaken the opposition. In due season we shall tell our readers the names of those who are responsible for these deceptive statements. This publication has led the grow ers’ fight against the unjust grading rules right from the start; it has rep- resented the sentiment of fully 90 per cent of the growers of the stategand has been the ONL " representative medium to send forth to Washington a protest against the rules. Every development that has taken place since we first voiced our protest nearly two months ago, only serves to still fur- ther convince us that the grading rules are arbitrary and in effect, con- stitute one of the most arrogant dis- regards of the farmers' rights we have ever seen. Our fight has been consis- tent and aggressive, and we want to say to our farmer friends right here and now that We are in this fight, as we always have been, every hour and every day of the week, and we don’t propose to falter or to retrench so long as there is a single hope of ac— complishing something. The griev- ances of our readers are our grievanc- es; their protests are likewise ours, ' and so long as the farmers of Michi- gan stand behind us, we shall lead them steadily on,—-we hope, to vic- tory. FARMERS RECEIVE $6. 60 FOR BEANS, WHILE CONSUMERS PAY $12.00 The National Food Administration Should Get Busy on the Bean Situation—82 per cent Pro- fit Hardly Permissable These Days It has been said, that experience sheds a. ray of light over the past; but never illumines the future. True, but there is no excuse for striking the same rock the second and third times. And it isn’t always necessary that we go through the school of ex- perience from kindergarten to col— lege! it is possible to profit by the ex- perience of others. England attempted to "reasonably control” the food manipulators for nearly two years, and then finding the food hogs with their feet still what it’s going to do. their taxes. at least five more months beans or peas. Keep cool and use your head. A Good Time to Keep Cool and Use Judgment HE NEXT three or four weeks are probably the most un— certain and trying of the entire marketinv season. ers who have held their crops over into the new ycar 2111: quite prone to get on the anxious so at and fidgct wonder if they’ve made a mistake not to have bsold (22111101 in the season even at a loss, and if the maikct is goiuw up 01 down 01 Many farmers are fortct l to sell their crops with the going out of the old year in order to secure moncy to pay The sudden marketing rush almost always causes the market to fluctuate and perhaps lose a few points, but almost always it recovers and advances stronger than ever. in which to market potatoes and other root crops, and there is no limit to the 111:1,1'keting season for dry The potato market is in a more or less chaotic and uncertain state at the present time. but a few weeks more should tell the story of whether over-production or lack of transportation facilities are to blame for the condition. ing times, but food products are mighty staple articles today and we cannot see where any farmer will be justified in selling a single crop at a loss right now just because he is a little skittish of the future. ' WWWMWHMWMWWHNWWMWNWWIW in the trough, established maximum and minimum prices, and solved the problem. France tried to curb the war profiteers by appealing to their loyalty and patriotism, but was fin- ally obliged to put a ring in their noses and give them a limited amount or rope. Canada. too, had its ex- perience, and an investigation show- ed that the fellows who talked loudest about “patriotism and the fatheriand” were raking in one hundred per cent profits on war necessities. The Federal Government has been haying its experience, but strange to relate, we go stumbling along; talk— ing patriotism; advocating "meatless and wheatless" days, while certain patriotic “cusses" are going through the pockets of both Uncle Sam and the consumers. The Food Adminis— AContmucd on page 12) Hm!"llllllilllliiliidliill; I1 aim- and 11 on y and There arc All in all, these are try- E E e e GOV’R MUST ACT TO SAVE BEANS Up to Chief Executive to Force Action by U. S. Authorities to Can Moist Beans and Save Growers From Loss Governor Sleeper can render the bean growers of Michigan, and the people of the State, a splendid service by at once investigating the bean situation, and getting the machinery into operation which will save a mil- lion dollars worth of Michigan white beans. From the best figures obtain- able it is estimated that there are more than a million dollars worth of beans in this State which contain all the way from ten to forty per cent moisture, and this valuable food pro- duct will all be lost unless something is don-e to relieve the situation. Sixty days have passed since Ed— ward Fremsdorf, senior member of the Board of the Jackson prison, sug— gested that the canning department of this great institution, could be used to save the million dollars worth of beams. which could not be handled by the dryers and must therefore prove a total loss. He at once com— municated with the Department of Agriculture, at Washington asking that all restrictions as to canning be elim- inated, and that sufficient tin be re- leased so that this much needed food product might be saved. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Vrooman. act- ed quickly, and passed the matter on to the food administration. Several weeks elapsed before action was se- cured, but finally all objections were withdrawn and a way made for action. Thus the whole matter was put directly up to the State of Michigan Wand there it stands. The last legis— lature passed. as an emergency meas- ‘ure, a hill authorizing the issuing of five million dollars worth of State bonds to be used in war emergency cases, and already $920,525.00 of this sum has been used and more bonds hays recently been placed upon the market. Money has been spent from this fund to pay for a highway to aviation fields, army cantonm-ents, for guards and for many other necessary war—time necessities. Now the bean growers, the army and navy and con— sumers generally are up against a. proposition that means not only a sav— ing of a million dollars worth of food, but what is more necessary~~the real food, which at best is a mighty scarce article. In what way can Governor Sleeper relieve the situation? The Governor can ask the Michigan war board to appropriate twenty-five thousand dol- lars from the war emergency fund to be used solely and wholly for the pur~ pose of enlarging the canning equip- ment at the Jackson prison so that five hundred bushels of beans may be canned each twenty—four hours. If this (Continued on page 4) W SENT ATIGN ON BEAN COMMITTEE 'Efforts are Beingr Made by M. B. F. to Make Place for Ingham County Farmer on Federal Bean Board This publication has felt for many months that the farmers of Michigan have not been properly represented in the councils of the nation which have to do with the regulation of the production, grading and marketing of farm crops. At every opportunity we have sought to impress this fact up- on those in authority on the Food Ad- ministration at Washington. In a ro~ cent letter to this paper, Mr. F. P. Kimball, chairman of the bean com- mittee, admitted that the farmers were not properly represented and sug- gested that some organization might be interested in sending a grower to act on the committee. Immediately thereafter, we receiv- ed the following letter from a well- rnown Ingham county farmer: "I read with interest Mr. K. P. Kim- hall’s letter in the December 8th issuc of the Michigan Business Farming, and would gladly give my services free. if my expenses were paid. “I am a young farmer 27 years old. I started without a dollar 5 years ago. l am fully aware of what the farmers of this state and other states are up against. see all sides of farm questions. farm views in regard to crop movements, cost of pro- duction and regular farm difficulties that only a farmer can see. “I gladly give my services, believing myself to be fully capable of handling the situations giving all farmers their just due for their share and co—operation in the feeding of our own people and those of the Allies. it t i “I will deem it very highly if the farm- ers of Michigan, and the United States Food Administration would consider my application as a farmer to act with them in regard to the idea advanced to you in Mr. Kimball’s letter.”—J. C. .1, Mason. We referred the letter to Mr. Kim— ball, asking him if provision could not be made to accept the writer‘s generous proposal. Mr. Kimball has replied as follows: “All of the differ- ent departments here are not only con- tributing their time but their entire expenses in the work of the Food Ad- ministration, and the only people re- ceiving remunerations are employes such as stenographers, clerks, etc. who are under the Civil service rules. I will try and advise you in the near future however. In the meantime I wish you would have your correspon- dent write me advising what experi- ence he has had in an office or c1eri-‘ cal way in order that we might enter thru the civil service.” We believe that the presence of such a man upon the bean committee would have an important moral effect in determining its future policies. It is not contended that those in charge at Washington are willfully negligent of the farmers' interests. but it is believed that in the stress of emer- gency, they frequently overlook im- portant considerations and that their oversight is most derogatory to in- terests of the industry. The counsel of a man who has been actively en- gaged in farming, based upon first- hand knowledge of the growers’ senti- ments and needs, should be worth con- sidering. ARE DEALERS PLAYING FAIR WITH FARMERS? I would like to know a few facts regarding the wheat deal from re- liable authority. If the government 18 not playing fair with the millers and elevator men I would like to know it. On the other side if the lattre are not doing justice to the farmers I would like to know. I do not believe in being turned off with a lot of mis- representations. On Nov. 30, 1917 I sold some wheat to Mayville Milling Co. for which they paid me $2.00 per bushel. Wheat was red and weighed over sixty pounds per bushel. Mois— ture test was 0. K. but they claim they can not get enough to keep it separate Your scale a few days ago showed that farmers should get about two dol- lars andten cents for this kind of wheat. Now I am not making any complaint but I want the facts. Will you please advise?—O’. 8., Mayville, Michigan. The instance you have cited is typi- cal. We have absolute knowledge that many elevator men of the state are using unfair practices in their deal- ings with farmers and are not paying what they should for wheat. The Grain Corporation has advised us that “elevators are required to main- tain fair practices in their dealings with farmers,” and the inference is that they will be compelled to do this in specific cases. Your complaint has been laid before the Grain Corporation who will undoubtedly take the matter ' up with your local elevator. It is our judgment that, even allowing the greatest possible latitude for higher expenses, peculiar to the locality, this concern should pay not less than $2.08 for 60 pounds of No. 2 Red Wheat. AVERAGE MICHIGAN PRICES WEEK ENDING DEC. 29th Hay, $25.50; oats, 75c; rye, $1.65; wheat, $2.00; potatoes, $1.29 per cwt.; hogs, 15c; eggs, 45c; butter, 42c; hens, 15c. GREENVILLE DEALERS MIXING TWO GRADES “We have taken the position" says the Greenville Independent “that the establishing of two grades of potatoes would lead to the retailer or Whole- saler mixing the grades and getting a No. 1 price for No. 2 stock, and thereby swindling the producer out of his just proportion of the cost of pro- \ \ ’ My- .\ 16 l l .. ‘MIHIGANAAERICULTUR'L" FARMERS MAY SECURE REM duction. We hardly thought when we took this position that anyone would have the nerve to even attempt to take a No. 1 price for a No. 2 stock, but that appears to be what has been done, and not in Pittsburgh or Cin- cinnati, but right here in Greenville. “We do not propose at this time to say where these potatoes were bought or who bought them, but We have the potatoes and if necessary can sub- stantiate every statement we make. The consumer got just as much food value out of these potatoes as she would had they been No. 1's, (that is she would have if the potatoes had been good No. 2, but they weren’t), and therefore was not swindled, but that is not the question. The question is why should the farm-er be obliged to take a No. 2 price for his potatoes when someone else is allowed to sell them at a No. 1 price? We hardly ex- pected to have such reliable and com- petent evidence right here under our nose, for of all places, the greatest potato market in the state, we should teach the outsider the way to handle our great farm product that we may aid in maintaining the highest mar— ket price. “This is what the opponents of two grades have contended right along and it is possible these statements have shown the way to those who are willing to take a chance. “So far as we k“ow there is no legal liability assumed by any person sell- ing No. 2 potatoes for a No. 1 price so long as they are not represented as No. 1 stock, but this is what has occurred and what will constantly oc- cur as long as there are two grades of potatoes. When Mr. Lord was here he made a statement as to what he found in the retail, stores, some peo- ple were inclined to doubt him, but there can be no doubt but what this is going on everywhere and will contin- ue so long as there are two grades." “WHY GRADE POTATOES?” ASKS U. S. BULLETIN “ ficcause it is progressive" answers, the same bulletin ‘Tis also progress— ive to ride in aeroplanes, but we don’t believe in compelling people to do it against their shot! will,-not by a long I l I \l / 4 4’! i "(Q ‘ . \i j.’ 0’ ' Creamery companies ans making a bogy man out of Uncle Sam in an effort to scare the farmer into taking a. reduced price for butter fat. 1918 Will BE _ EXPENSlVE YEAR War-Time Conditions Expected to Make New Year. Most Stren- uous and Probably Most Costly in State’s .History Go down into your jeans; the cost of self-government is going up! The new year which the state, as a. unit of government has just entered, is likely to be the most strenuous and mast expensive in its history. The high cost of living has hit the var- ious state institutions as hard as it has hit the individual and the COSt of maintenance is going to be consider- ably increased. Then, too, there is also $100,000 interest to pay on the $2,500,000 worth of war bonds which the legislature voted at the last ses— sion for the purpose of raising money to enable the state to take care of its part in supporting the national war work. These are only hints at some of the largely increased expenses the state will be called upon to pay this year, but enough for now. Please turn your attention to the executive departments which see that the laws are enforced—some times. Remember, please, that Michigan has an ab—so-lute—ly bone-dry prohibition law going into effect the first day of the coming May, less than four months hence, and that somebody is going to have the cute little job of making Michigan as dry as a desert, after be- ing soaked for years in booze. ’Tisn’t going to be easy, but when we are re- minded that the burden of responsi- bility rests upon the broad. capable, shoulders of Dairy and Food Commis- sioner Fred L. Woodworth, we don't worry a bit. If this “dry” farmer from the Thumb district can’t “dry up" Michigan there’s no man living who can. And he will. Michigan’s prohibition law will never be a farce as long as Mr. Woodworth has a hand in its enforcement. It has been understood until a few weeks ago that Edmund L. Rawden, former attorney for the Michigan An- ti-Saloon league. who was the foremost lawyer in drawing up the law, was to be appointed by Attorney General Groesbeck. as assistant. Of late, how- ever, Rawden’s appointment has been doubted, because of the opposition to him of the entire Sleeper adminis- tration. Politics is likely. as a con- sequence. to figure more than was at first supposed. The candidate of. the Sleeper wing of the Republican party is Walter S. Foster, former prosecut- ing attorney of. Ingham county. broth- er of the present senator from this dis- trict, Charles Foster. gilllllllIllIIIHHIllllllllllllllllllllll IHl-urllllrlilm mum é :Late County Crop Reports: :IllllllllIlllllIlllllllllIllllllllmlllllnlllllIlllllllllIllllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllll[mmIlllllllllliIlIIIlIlIIIIllHEE WEXFORD (South Central) —- Busi— ness is very quiet with the farmers at present. Wheat and rye have a light cov- ering of snow. No potatoes are being sold and the two grades matter is still meeting opposition—A. A. H., Boon, De- cember 31st. MONROE (West Central)—The old year went out and the new one came in with good cold winter weather. Farmers are not doing very much but their chores and cutting a little wood. The wheat prospects are not good on account of the light covering of snow on the ground.— . H. L., Dundee, Jan. 1. CHEBOYGAN North Central)—Most of the farmers are cutting wood in this locality. The weather is very cold here'. being down to and belo wzero, which is hard on fall grain. The farmers are selling hay and some potatoes, but most of them are holding potatoes and beans for higher prices. Some of the farmers here have threshed their beans and many were disappointed for they did not get even as many as they expected. The yield runs all the way from half a bu. to ten bushels—O. W. B., Riggsville, De- cember 31. O m Gian ifiafiifiilzriEts ’s' ‘ F A n It I N-G aim Washington—The war may end sooner than any of us think ton—if the invention of one Garabed T. K. Giragos- sia‘n of Boston will accomplish all that its founder claims it will. This gentleman declares he has made a discovery whereby it is possible to obtain and use energy without limit, except the capacity of machinery to receive it, and . without cost, except the wear and tear due to operation. Whether the inventor plucks this mysterious force out of the air, as did Frank- lin his electricity; whether it is an element of the soil; a resusitated magic of the anoients, or plain fraud, doth not yet appear, but Congress has been “sold sufl‘iciently on the invention to advocate an appropriation to give it a thorough investigation and trial, on the grounds that in a‘great international emergency as now faces the Allied nations, nothing should be left undone to uncover and utilize every agency to meet the emergency and bring the war to a speedy close. Garabed claims that this mysterious energy will permit ships and aeroplanes to cross the ocean without fueling; gives power to automobiles, and Will produce nitrates in abundance for fertilizer and ammunition. Aside from theseglowing and astounding promises, the curiosity of the public must go unsatisfied. until the government officially investigates and accepts the mar— velous invention. The committee on patents and the secretary of the interior have both examined the device or the element or appliance, or whatever it may be called and have reported that it is worthy of investigation. So do not be surprised if you wake up some fine morning in the near future to hear flash- ing across the wires: “Kaiser dead; Germany surrenders; war ends.” is as an: . The “cost plus profit” plan under which manufacturers are making war supplies for the government is not working out very satisfactorily. Countless costly delays and exorbitant charges for much of the material has convinced the various ordnance heads that many of the firms are putting unnecessarily large amount of time on war orders in order to run up the costs, and incident- ally the profits. There are some firms fully as patriotic as they claim to be and are spending every effort to give the government good service, high quali- ty goods, and at reasonable prices. But this cannot be said of the majority working under the “cost plus” plan, and it is anticipated that the Government will conduct: a r’gid investigation into manufacturing costs and compel makers of war supplies to confine their chargeS-to certain specified limits. at: =X< =llt Representative Edward Keating, of Colorado. a member of the house commit- tee on labor, recently declared that some action must be taken immediately toward equalizing and leveling wage standards. If this is not done workmen Will be leaving their own trades and seeking positions in war industries be- cause of the higher pay offered. Practically all government enterprises are paying premiums today for skilled labor, and men are leaving their life-long JObS to accept. positions which in spite of the high wage, can outlast but a half dozen years atthe outside. Civil industries are already feeling the pinch of labor shortage and the condition will become gradually worse unless the gov- ernment makes some effort to equalize wages the country over. 7 Many Congressmen have cut their holiday vacations short and have already returned to Washington to get ready for the most strenuous lap of the session. The senate sub-committee which is investigating the shortcomings and irregu- larities of several of the departments are planning on hearing testimony this week by Major General Crozier ch‘ef of ordnance, in reply to criticisms of Col- onel Lewis. inventor of the Lewis machine gun; Secretary of War Baker. who has been charged with incompetency and by various persons held accountable for delays in the ship building program. The day before this was written a telegram was sent by the committee to Herbert C. Hoover who had very dis- courteously and unwisely left for New York on the day he had been notified to appear before the committee, demanding that ‘lie testify before them on Wed- nesday of the current week, and give his version of the fuel and sugar shortage. >lt< it it The proponents of compulsory military service are working tooth and nail to get the Chamberlain bill which provides for universal military service bc- fore the present session of congress, believing evidently that now or nevcr is the time to secure its passage. Despite the present mood of the country, there is some doubt as to whether the people want. universal military service; cer— tainly they would not have thought of such a thing five years ago. and it is questionable as to whether the people are in a sufficiently normal frame of mind to pass upon the subject at the present time. Opponents of the b'll are asking its advocates to explain the need of universal service inasmuch as this is to~be the last war, and ask if ‘twould not be wiser to leave the matter for d'scussion and decision until the war is over , and the people arc ‘in a less prejudiced ' frame of mind. It is extremely doubtful if ten per cent of the farmers of the country would vote for compulsory military training. Your correspondent would like to hear from M. B. 1“. readers upon the sub- ject. Tell me whether you think leg- —s—- W- i ‘Q. Why should I buy them? A. Every, dollar loaned to the Gov- ernmenthelps to save the lives of our men at the front and to win the war. Q. I want to begin to save on the War-Savings Plan. What is the first thing to do? . A. Take $4.12 to the postoflice or a bank or any other agency, buy a War- SaVings Stamp, and ask for a War- Savings certificate. Q. What is a War-Savings Certifi— cate? A. It is a pocket-sized folder con- taining 20 spaces upon which to affix War-Savings Stamps. Q. Is the War-Savings Certificate a Government obligation? A. It becomes an obligation as soon as one or more War-Savings Stamps are affixed to it. Continue to buy War—Savings Stamps every week or month and put them on your certificate until you have filled all of the 20 spac- es. When this is done you can buy another War-Savings Stamp, and you will receive free of cost another cer- tificate to which you can attach new stamps as you buy them. Q. When I have filled the 20 spaces on my certificate what do I do with it? A. Keep the certificate until Jan- uary 1, 1923. and the Government will pay you $100 for it. (NOTE—War-Savings Stamps in- crease in value 1 cent per month be- cause they are earning interest.) Q. if you do not have enough mon- ey saved up to buy a War-Sayings Stamp and can only save in small amounts, what should I do? A. Buy a 25—cent Thrift Stamp at a postoifice, bank, or other authorized agency and ask for a Thrift Card. to which you can attach your Thrift Stamp. This card holds 10 stamps and represents a value of $4. Q. What security is behind the War- Savings Stamp? A. The United States Government promises to pay $5 for each Stamp on January 1. 1922. This promise is backed by the faith and honor of the l’nitcd States and by the taxing power of this country. which is the richest nation in the. world. Q. Why does the United States bor- row the money? .1. To pay the expenses of the war. Q. When i loud my money to the Government. would it be safer to buy a government bond rather than these WarSarings Stamps? A. When a W"ii‘-Sa\'ings Stamp is attached to a \VarSavings (‘ortificatc it becomes a lovernment obligat‘on with the same sceurity as the Liberty bonds. now held by more than 10.000,- 000 Americans. Q. is the 4 pcr cent interest, com— pounded quarterly. on War—Savings Certificates paid in the same way as the interest. on Liberty bonds? .-t. No. The Liberty bond interest is paid every six months, but the iii- terest on the War-Savings Certificate accumulates and is paid to you in one sum. on January 1, 1923’). islation upon the subject should be ‘ postponed until after the war. BUY THRIFT STAMPS AND HELP YOUR UNCLE SAM What are you doing to help your Uncle Sam win this war against brut- ish Prussia? We can’t all go into the trenches and fight; we can’t all knit for the Red Cross; we can’t all buy Liberty bonds, but we can buy a Realm FNE LETTER$ ‘iH THE VOST Thrift stamp, and it only costs 25 Q FRO": FOR LEMME . cents. Read the following and enlist ALOY5‘U5 ALOX'S‘US (90! \ DONT in the Thrift Stamp army. DuéhN‘ WANNA 60 Q. What is the War—Savings Plan? A. It is a plan by which you can lend small savings to your Govern- ment at 4 per cent interest, compound- ed quarterly. Q. How may this be done? A. By purchasing War - Savings and Thrift Stamps. Q. What is a War-Savings Stamp? A. It i sa stamp for which the Gov- ernment will pay you $5 on January 1. 1923. Q. What does it cost? A. Between $4.12 and $4.23 during 1918, depending upon the month in which it was purchased. Q. What is a Thrift, Stamp? A. It is a stamp costing 25 cents, to be applied in payment for a War-Sav- ings Stamp. It does not earn inter- . est. The purpose of its issue is to en- , ~‘ ‘ ._ 1mg \t/\ sust’RmED FELLEQS LfiMME eo‘gwew TO‘THE POST oFFtCE. OR able people to accumulate in small sums the amount, necessary to pay for a War—Savings Stamp. Germany and Russia continue plans for a general peace, if possible, and if ”Qt, a separate peace. Trotsky, the BOISheViki foreign minister, has re- peatedly urged the Allies to join in the peace conference about to open at Brest-Litovsk, and on Dec. 29th he no- tified Allied nations that if they did not agree within ten days to become a party to the negotiations, the Bol- sheviki would proceed alone. It is stated that Trotsky believes an offi- cial decision from the Allies to the B01- sheviki would constitute recognition of that government. which in the minds of many, is the most important consideration of the Bolsheviki at the present time. t * 1 Conditions at (lamp Custer have been in a more or less deplorable con- dition until very recently. The com- missary department had not prepared amply or quickly enough for the in- flux of recruits into the camp just as winter was coming on, and conse- quently large numbers of the new sol— diers have suffered from lack of clo- thing, rubbers, etc. So serious has the situation become that the state has been asked to provide the necessities most needed. Thanks to the industri— ous fingers of the Red Cross knittcrs. most of the men are well supplied with sweaters. Additional helmets and socks are needed. however. # =3 * The preliminary pcacc plans being laid by Germany and ltussia are being used by both governments to satisfy the demands of their people for curly peace. in fact. the German people be- lieve. that the end of the war is near and peace in sight. The German sol- diers have been solemnly advised that Germany has laid her pcucc plans be— fore thc «\llios and that, lighting will go on only in the event of their be- ing rejected. As the old your came to a close tho German people rcjo‘ccd in their homes and public. places that peace was so near. Alas. what conti— deuce they have in their Kaiser! 1 t * Latest dispatches from Russia state that the U. S. Rail Commission, which was sent to Russia last June to help rehab‘litate the railroad systems. have been arrested by Bolsheviki agents. it. is believed that the Bolsheviki are re- taliating for the failure of the United States to recognize their government. Additional advices indicate that the ’Bolsheviki continues to strengthen its hold upon the Russian people, and it. is thot that recognition of that gov- ernment by the Allies will be but a matter of course. t =|I II Fires, originating from three dis- tinct explosions believed to have been set off by German agents, have destroy- ed $3.000.000 worth of property at Nor- folk. Va. The fire destroyed the fin- est business section of the city. Fed- eral agents believe the explosions were intended to wreck the harbor, but, the attempt. was foiled in some manner or other. I. t # According to an official announce.- ment just made public there are 46,- 712 British soldiers held prisoners by the Germans. The recent ltalian suc- csses of the enemy, which netted over 130,000 prisoners has increased Ger- many’s prison population to a large extent. and presents a housing. feed- ing and disciplinary problem of no mean proportions. t t t The Germans have shown renewed activity in the Cambrai district. but. were repulsed along the entire, front by llaig's troops. General Allenbv continues on his successt-“ul march thru Palestine, and several towns have rccertly fallen into his hands. 1| 1! it Publicity has just. been authorized by naval authorities of the capture of four German submarines during the month of December by American destroyers. In what waters the en- counter took place is not stated. =lt< a: :31: The Pope has sent a letter of pro- test to the Austrian and German governments against the dropping of bombs by German airplanes on unpro- tected hamlets of \lorthern Italy. r.» - In Spite of Fair Demand on the City Markets Potatoes Move Slowly from Country Dis- tricts and Buying in Some Sections has Stopped “The present potato situation is one of the most puzzling in my experi- ence," was the statement which a well-known farm and market author— ity made to this publication a few days ago. And we had to agree that we ourselves were completely “stump— ed." We have repeatedly advised our readers that under the conditions pre- vailing this year they should receive $1 per bushel for their potatoes. At that time, of course, we were in as much ignorance of the new grad- ing rules as the average farmer. We weren’t “in” with the bunch that con- cocted that dose. Nevertheless, we still stand by our statement. Mich- igan growers should be receiving TO- DAY not less than $1 per bushel for their No. 1 potatoes. or if there were no so-called No. 1 stock, for their ungraded spuds. Are we wrong or not? Perhaps the government experts who decided for the poor, dear farmer that he ought to have his potatoes graded this year. can explain why farmers living a hundred miles from Detroit should not have more than 70 cents a bushel for his No. l spuds when Detroit consumers are paying from $1.40 to $1.50 per bushel for the self- same potatoes mixed in with No. 2’s. Of course, we farmers aren’t suppos— ed to know why somebody else is per- mitted to make a clean one hundred nel cent profit On our spuds; we don’t even know how to grade po- tatoes; why should we be expected to know how to sell ‘em? And ap- parently the powers that be take it tor granted that we don’t know any- thing except to raise the spuds, and are doing both our grading and mar- keting for us,——kind fellows! When potatoes are selling in the city of Detroit for from $1.50 to $1.3 70 per bushel as they have been for over a year, why should the farmer be expected to take LESS than ONE DOLLAR from his local dealer? There’s no economically sound reason vliy potatoes should be selling today for an average of about 70 cents thru— out the state. But it’s the same old story, the “interests” control the mar- kets and the farmer has nothing to say. Millions of potatoes are yet in the growers’ hands. Millions of bushels will stay there and rot time unless those who preached production get a hustle on themselves and devise ways to get the spuds to market. The forcing of the new grades down the farmers' throats; the shortage of cars; the war gardens and kindred other causes are to blame for the pres- ent condition. It is high time that those who have been wishing to ex— periment a little bit with grading and other pet theories at the expense of the farmer, should realize the grav- ity of the situation, throw personal opinions to the Winds and get down to the business of saving the farmers from a huge financial loss. The situation is bad enough to be sure, but there’s no occasion for alarm as We see it. The difliculty seems to lie in the lack of efficient and econom- ical distribution as it always has, but this year. there’s every probability that the government will take some kind of remedial action. Having been about nine-tenths responsible for the present conditions, it behooves the production propagandists to get busy NOW. But don’t sell any more spuds for the next 30 days. s sweats! I have some beans which will pick about the same as my neighbor, who just sold his. His~beans picked 20 _pounds._ He took a sample to three different elevators which I had just as soon give the names of, if you wish. They offered $3.50 at one, $3.75 at another, and $4.03 at the place he sold them. They were sold on a $7.25 basis. They dock us 16c on every pound picked. Now since the largest majority .of these beans are- picked by machinery, I do not think it nec-. essary to charge us such an outrag- eous price for picking. If we are mistaken, and the elevators have ,a right to charge this, kindly let us know by letter. And if we are right, please see if you can get an adjust- ment thru the government, so we will have fair chance.——H. D. W., Potter- ville. If you have given us all the circum- stances in the case. it is our opinion that these dealers have violated their licenses and should have them revok- ed. We have told the bean committee that many elevators were not giving the farmers fair treatment and have been advised as follows: “If you will give us a list of the elevators indulg- ing in unfair practice in picking beans and the methods they pursue, you may rest assured that they will be given immediate attention.” If H. D. W. will give us the names of these elevators we will see' what can be done to induce them to give the growers better treatment. FARMERS BEAN YIELD NOT SO BIG AS STATED Several weeks ago M. B. F. publish- ed a statement taken from the Char- lotte Republican that Augustus Har- mon, an Eaton county farmer harvest- ed 700 bushels of beans from 8 acres and sold them for $9 a bushel. The editor queried the statement at the time, and several of our readers wrote in asking how Mr. Harmon did it. We have just discovered that Mr. Har— mon didn’t “did” it. There was an error in the printing of the original story. Mr. Harmon actually harvest- ed 200 bushels, which isn’t so bad. especially considering the fact that the beans picked less than a pound. MECOSTA GRANGE FAVORS CHANGE IN TUBER GRADE A discussion started on potato grad- ing when Mecost County Pomona Grange was the guest of Pleasant View Grange at Big Rapids recently resulted in a resolution being sent to the State Grange that the second grade of potatoes be eliminated and the size of the screen reduced from 1 Jim-inch to l and 1-2 inch. STATUS OF SON fie WORKS FOR FATHER GRATIS A son remains at home and works on his father's farm for four years ' leaving no; mu. _ , m a 4pm no bill‘to the father in his lifetime. Is his claim outlawed or goodi—VA Subscriber. - . ‘, ‘ - Under the brief Statement. of facts the claim never had any validity. If there was any agreement to pay wages at the time the work was performed it has been outlawed. If there was an agreement to pay after the death' of the father it has not been outlawed. A son remaining at home and working without any bargain as to payment of wages is not entitled to collect wag- es from his fgather. There must be an agreement to pay wage-s before the father is liable to the son for ser- vices rendered. This is by reason of the family relations, and is presumed to be gratuitous. GOVERNOR SHOULD ACT TO SAVE BEANS (Continued from page 1) appropriation is made without delay Br. Frensdorf, who is now acting War- den, says that he can have the machin-~ ery ready for business in less than thirty days. When the canning fac- tory is ready, the growers can ship their beans direct to the prison, where they will be tested and paid for at their actual value. Then these beans will be canned by the prisoner’s who will work in night and day shifts—— and presto: “a million dollars worth of beans; now headed for the stock food bin. will be saved for the “hu- mans” who ar-e likely to want canned beans mighty badly bfeore another crop can be harvested. Let it be remembered that at the present time, there are less than twen- ty elevators in the State equipped for drying beans. Thousands of bean growers have their beans in bins, or on the barn floors, with absolutely no market for them because of excess moisture. Elevator men can’t handle them because they are not equipped to dry beans. and as a consequence these beans have frozen and when a thaw comes, look out for a total loss. Canning experts claim that the moist beans are all right for canning, and when properly cared for are in every way equal to the best. Mr. Frensdorf is Willing and anxious to get busy, but one delay follows anoth- er until, it begins to look as if the growers and consumers would be 0- bliged to pocket the loss Governor Sleeper should put this matter right up to the proper officials and suggest immediate action. The organized canners and many elevator men will “kick" but let. them wiggle. The Federal Government has had to do many things which did not meet the approval of the interests, but war time measures are the rule, not the exception, in these days, and if some one don’t act to save the Michigan bean situation, the responsibility for this tremendous loss must be shoul- dered by the present administration. " ““ 1'1 ‘ 3.‘3‘1I35HIHHHHHHIWH‘I;illiilliiiiliiiili: tiI1.llHliilllit”!llililii3ilili‘hiliilililimi.‘ tIi.‘.ililfllIliillillliliIiiliilllélihfl ‘t' in" 1.11.1. ‘ Likilliiiildnt liiiiil1]I1lliIilH|iHHiHHIHHHHHHHIlliillllllllllf';2 THE WEATHER FOR T E WEEK As forecasted by W. T. Foster for MICHIGAN Busimzss FARMER Jul 6 7 8 9 10 111219l8 old i. y‘n‘ii- :‘imm ., l \VASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 5.— Last bulletin gave forecasts of distur- bances to cross continent Jan. 8 to 12, warm wave 7 to ll, cool wave 10 to 14. This will bring average tempera- ltiiiiiiill'liHHt.i.Hil'.‘.l”v.3 and warmer than usual at end of the seven days. Not much force to the storms and not much precipitation. Trend of temperature upward. Next warm wave will reach Van- couver about Jan 12 and temperatures will rise on all the Pacific slope. it will cross crest of Rockies by close of 13, plains sections 14, meridian 90, great lakes and Ohio-Tennessee val- leys 15, eastern sections 16, reaching llililldi H n l AHHHIHIHHIIIHIHI' tures. colder than usual at beginning of Newfoundland about Jan. .5; 17. Storm wave will follow about one »; day behind warm wave and cool wave about one day behind storm wave. vicinity This will be of greater force than the preceding. high temperatures Will be followed by a cold wave. more rain and snow than in the preceding but will not be a very severe storm and none of its efaturcs will be radi- cal. Tcmpcrature trend will be up- ward from near Jan. 18 in far west. a little later eastward. January. February and March will average from about normal temper— atures and rainfall to a little below; severe storms will not be numerous, we have had worst part of winter. All this indicates that less feed for live stock will be required. the influences of which will he to put prices of grain lower. Indications are that corn and oats will go to lower market values by last of l<‘ebr1.1ary unless there are unexpected greater demands from oth— er countries. Mesa: Hillilifiifil."‘.'.."‘..‘.I'.:I.IE .i'. ".. ‘3 i. '.‘.‘I. 111‘2 llllllilIiiiiillilliillliilllHlli“Hiili|IHiIiIilllilillllllililililiiilitlll' IllllilllilllillllllllIHHIlliliii||il|lll|ll|lll|liliiilillitliliiliililiil|IllII|iiiiIllilllllillillilillilllllil|[lllllllilillilllllliliilIll||1i|Il|lill'lliiiliilIilllllillIlllliiiilll}lliilillllilillli|IHIilillillllililm‘lillillillllIllllliiulllililillilh‘: Sunday closing law.‘ . o o The ~drouth in a ,portion'of-Texas has caused losses this year aggregating $400,- 000,000. , . . ' , . . - O Hygiene is being taught to the less civ- ' ilized natives of the Philippines with mo- ton pctures. . ' .> Crude rubber exports. from the Amazon district to the United States in July were 2,154,715 pounds. a o o In Chicago, 1,100 saloons have closed their doors, owing to the war and the 0 County councils in the midlands and west of Ireland released their employes to help save the harvest. . t- O The British Food Controller has decid- ed to take over gradually the entire pro- vision trade of the British Isles. t O O 'A brewery in Mobile, A13... is making Vinegar from watermelon juice, and the rinds, seeds and residue are used for cat- tle fodder. o o o Fifteen nations have severed relations with Germany or declared war on her since the United States entered the con- flict on April 6th. * t 0 Japan has 110,000 railroad employees receiving an average wage of 31c per day. The average wage of an American engin- eer is $5.40 per day. i: I: t England’s co—operative movement owns 'its own tea gardens in India, and Ceylon, palm oil plantations in West Africa and wheat fields in Canada. . t t t A company has recently been organiz~ ed to build a fertilizing plant at Arnheim in the upper peninsula. The material to be used for the fertilizer is the black muck of which there is a vast acreage in what is known as the Tamarac swamp, which has only recently been drained. # t C Eighty million bushels of damaged corn in Indiana. standing in the fields, led to the ofrmation recently of a committee of grain men and distillers after harvest to devise a plan whereby distillers could convert this grain into alcohol for use in connection with war industries. HURON SUBSCRIBER WANTS TO JOIN FARM LOAN ASS‘N. Can you tell me if there is a farm loan association in Huron county? I would like to join one—W. T., Pigeon. As yet no National Farm Loan As- sociation has been organized at Pig- eon. Huron County. Michigan. We will be glad to have Mr.— undertake the organization of an As- sociation at Pigeon, and if he wishes to do so, we will send him the necessary blanks to organize and complete same upon request. (Signed) H. K. Jennings. Secy. (EDITOR’S No'rnsmHere is a good chance for ten or more M. B. F. read- ers in the vicinity of Pigeon to se- cure financial aid from the Government Federal Loans may be secured for a period extending over 40 years. The interest rate is low, only 5 1—2 per cent. Money may be secured under [the farm loan act to liquidate indebted- ness. buy additional land, live stock. equipment, etc., or to make improve ments. The M. B. F. editors will glad- ly assist Huron county farmers to or- ganize an association if a sufficient number so desire. CALIF. PROVIDES FRANCE WITH SEED BEANS Five and “one-half million pounds of seed beans and 1,500,000 two-year-old . French prune trees are being gathered " in California for Shipment to North- ern France to rehabilitate the fields and orchards devastated by the Ger- mans in their retreat. - The beans are pink- and black-eye . varieties, and the quantity is suflicient to plant 69,000 acres. The prune trees will convert 15,000 acres into bearing orchards within two years. There is a bit of sentiment in Cal- ifornia’s sending young orchards to France, as it was. this war-torn repub- lic that gave the state its first prune trees. This was in 1856 and since that time the prune orchards cover nearly 100,000 acres and bring to the grow- ers more than 10,000.000 a year. If an average crop is raised from the California seed it will mean an addi- tion to the food supply of France of more than two and one-half pounds of beans next summer to each of the 40,000,000 residents. Shipments will begin immediately after the new year. h__ .. .. g 1.... ‘ ”Eugen-art“, an» 2-: . ; 1r: r, 4-. .422 ll L.— illlfllllllllllllmllllllllillllllllllllllllllIllIlllllIllIliumllflllllllUlllllllflllllllllllllllIlllllfllllllIllillllllMllullImlllllllllllllllllllljllllllNllllIlllllIllllll|llIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll|llllllllllllmllllllllfllllllll HE E , E E ’ s a t E E r I” s. E . E '12 323 E CHICAGO—Demand continues strong for good grades of hay. Beans and E 215 2:13 2'23 2 potatoes continue quiet. E The overnment re ort issued 1a t E DETROIT—Vegetables of all kinds are in moderate supply and demand E g .p ' S E continues light. Potato prices have taken slump of from‘lo to 15 cents per E week gives the seeding last, fall as E E 42 179 000 W'th th 1;. g cwt. Bearish conditions normally prevail at ending of old year. Continued g ’ ’. acres‘ 1 e excep 1011. E cold weather and demand should stiffen with upward trend of prices. E of 1915, when the acreage was 42,457; E ' E 000’ this is the largest acreage on rec. E Federal control of railroads is expetced to relieve car shortage resulting in E 0rd. At the same time it in?! about 5 E freer movements of crops and consequently better prices. E 11111110113 under the acreage desired by EmmummmInnmmlummmumunmumnlmnnmmmnmumInumuuunmmmnmuIunummmImunnmlnnnunummumnnnnnmmlmummmmmmnnmmmmummmunumsunnunumfi Mr. Hoover. The condition, 79.3, is the lowest on record and judging by present conditions and reports 'this will not be improved later. . There has been a tendency on the part of certain individuals to belittle the efforts of the Food Administration along the line of conservation of wheat and Wheat products. The fact of the matter is that every single pound of wheat will be needed, and at that there will be a great shortage before an- other year. After all is said and done, the winning of the war will de- pend on the food supply available to the allies. Wheat reserves in Eng- land are running low and even before the present Austro-German drive the Italian Food Controller was in Lon- don seeking food. . The acreage in Europe, with few exceptions, shows a further reduction. Supplies from South America depend entirely upon available ocean carriers and until our new lship building pro- gram is well along there will be grea difficulty movimg from there. ~ Spring wheat farmers should, not only‘from a patriotic standpoint, but from a business one as well, plant ev- ery possible acre next spring. There is a guaranteed price of $2.00 at terminal markets, and should the war end and restrictions be removed, the chances are that prices would go higher. North America will be called on to supply a great amount of food stuffs to Europe for some time after the war. We all realize what the loss of this war would mean to every American. We are in it to win and we are going to win. The market editor knows the kind of stuff the Michigan farmers are made of. He receives many letters from them each week. He is also in touch with the wheat situation and here is his urgent request to everyone of them: Conserve every pound of wheat; don’t feed an ounce of it where any other grain may be substituted; make this your first resolution of the New Year. It is not a matter of. dol- lam and cents, men, it is of vital im- portance in winning the war. As time goes on and the demand increases while the supply grows less, the real- ization of the truthfulness of this as- sertion-will come home to every one of you. Our boys, yes, our farmer boys, if you please, are about to offer their livm that we may continue to prosper. Let us do our part. GRADE Detroit Chicago New York No. 2 White Standard .82 .79 1-2 .91 1-2 No. 3 White .81 1-2 .78 .90 No. 4 White .80 '-Z .76 1-2 .89 1-2 Oats remain at about the same level as at the time of- writing our last ar- ticle. There has been sme fluctuation. of the market but it has worked a- round the eame general price. The supply of oats at terminal points does not increase to any extent and there is a good demand, both domestic and foreign. Government control of the railroads has been taken as a bear factor by certain interests, but we - doubt very much that this, will ma. ' teriially affect the situation for some time to come. There is a. good sup- ply of cats back in the hands of growers and elevator men but the question is to move them. The milling interests are active in -' the oat market and this activity would be more marked were suppliers more available. The wheatlms days are having a certain effect and this will increase, as these days are having a certain effect and this will increase as these days are more and more gen- erally observed. The Federal Government is also a good customer and these purchases will no doubt increase. Europe and the East are increasing their buying, the only draw-back being the difficulty of moving the stock from primary points to the seaboard and then of securing sufficient tonnage to transport cargoes. We.do not expect to see greatly in- creased prices but at the same time We are just a little stronger on oats and 'ebelieve they will hold up to present values just a little longer than has been expected up to this time. .GRADE Detroit Chicago New York No. 2 Yellow 2.01 1-2 Noniltl 1.93 1-2 No. 3 Yellow 2.00 1.84 1.92 No. 2 Mixed 1.95 1.87 A further general decline in the cash corn market has occured but un- less the movement becomes more gen- eral there is every chance of an ad- vance. Stocks during the past week have not been moving as freely as they had previously and at certain poin’s the market is just about bare of of- ferings. Federal control of the rail- roads may have a very decided effect on the corn market. The embargo has been removed on eastern ship- ments of corn and other grain will be given immediate attention and cars supplied wherever possible. The warmer weather has again been bringing forth reports of loss from the wet corn and much of it must be mov- ed in the very near future if it is not to become a total loss. We are receiving inquiries from our readers as to where they may secure seed corn for the next plant- ing. Just at this time we do not know where to direct them. Those who have seed corn are still speculat- ing as to the probable price and in the great majority of cases are not as yet offering to sell. The agricultural colleges of different states are giving the matter their attention and We may expect to see a general movement a- long the line of supplying seed. We have taken the matter up with several different sources of supply and hope before a great while to be able to offer something definite. I nthe mean- time keep an eye on the advertising columns of M. B. F. We will endeavor to have those who have seed corn to offer, set the facts before our readers so that they may secure a supply at the earliest possible moment. The rye market has been inactive all the week with very little demand and supplies amply sufficient. Certain conditions have worked to this and we would not be (surprised to see some additional call for this grain in the near future. The Detroit market is quoted at $1.83 and Chicago at $1.- 821/1 for No. 2. There has not been a heavy move- ment of rye at any time since the first few weeks after the harvest and this has been the saving grace of the whole situation. There is very little chance of any material increase in the movement from this time on and shippers can hold rye with less con- cern than any other grain. is GRADE Detroit Chicago New York C. H. P 7.20 8.00 8.85 Prime 7212 7.95 8.80 Red Kidneys 8.00 8.50 7.50 The writer has visited a number of country elevators during the past week and We find that at many points buying has ceased entirely owing to the wet condition of the stock offered gllllllll||lllIlllll|I[lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll "”'”'”'”'"”"" "“WHEHIHHHHIlHlHIHilhl‘llllilllillllllllg A DOLLAR BIL .0 E pon Will bring the E E MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARMING to your doorstep 52 tlmeS — E a year. Don’t delay! Marketing season IS well along. E Profit by others’ experience and send this 1n at once! E Name E Address R. F. D. E- E Address E E Remarks E E E s = E E E E Em E muIlllfllIWWBIIIIIWWMWWWWWMIWWWWlllIllllllllillllllIllnillilllnflmllllullllmmlllIlllllll iIIlllHIIllHIll]llllllllllMlllllillllllllllllli: and the lack of drying facilities. At such points dealers are afraid to take on more than their present supply until such time as they can secure cars to move the same. It is hoped that present transportation conditi- ons may be speedily relieved for their is no doubt but what many growers must move their stock and get it into driers in the near future if it is not to be a dead loss. The Food Administration has ad- vised canners of beans throughout the country that they will be per- mitted to can 25 per cent of their pack of white and colored beans as indicated in the estimates of their requirements up to March, 1918. Per- mits to this effect have been made to the canners, but pending their re- ceipt canners who filed application were permitted to go to work. It is our opinion that this limit is too low. Michigan growers in particular have a» crop this year which will require immediate attention and much of it should go into cans before the warm weather. The bean market has been just a. little slow during the holidays as is always to be expected. Domestic de mand should pick up greatly from this time on. Just a word to those who have beans which will make good seed; It is going to be in great demand in the spring and we advise putting it in good shape and hold- ing until planting time. Despite all talk to the contrary, when the demand for seed starts those who have it will receive a price which will in some small measure compensate for losses already experienced. M k No. 1 Standard ' No. 2 er en Timothy ‘ Timothy Timothy Detroit 24 50 25 00523 50 24 00122 50 23 50 Chicago 27 28 00‘25 50 27 50(26 00 27 00 Cincinnati ‘29 00 29 25 28 50 29 0028 , 28 50 Pittsburgh 29 so 30 oo 27 50 28 75§27 0 28 00 New York ,26 00 27 00:24 75 25 59 23 24 00 Richmond ‘31 00 32 00 31 00 31 50 3100 3150 Market: No. l i No. 1 No. 1 ‘ Light Mixed iClover Mixed l Clover I23 50 120 Detroit 24 00 21 00119 00 20 00 Chicago ,‘20 22 00i19 00 21 00 18 50 20 50 Cincinnati 28 50 28 75928 00 28 50.28 25 28 50 Pittsburgh 28 28 50:29 00 30 00‘29 00 30 00 New York 21 23 $19 50 21 00418 20 Richmond 30 00 31 29 00 29 50 28 50 29 In the very near future hay shippers and receivers will be licensed by the Food Administration the same as deal- ers in other lines have been licensed. This action is being taken to prevent excessive profits and speculation. Ship pers and receivers of hay will be re- quired to follow rules to be formulat- ed by the Food Commission, perhaps reporting monthly as is now being done in other lines where license is required. The Detroit market has seen very little change and prices continue at about the same level as for some time. Demand is good and supplies are just about sufficient to take care of it from day to day. Offerings at Chicago have been running lighter during the past week and values there are very firm. The demand is good on all grades al— though somewhat lighter during the holiday season. Very little prairie hay moving there as the western de- mand is such as to cut off supply. Very little hay has arrived at Pitts- burgh during the past week and the various embargoes are retarding the movement to a great extent. The mar— ket there is strong and shows advanc- ing tendencies. Baltimore reports a good market with very little hay in transit. There is an excellent straw market there with arrivals away short of the de- mand. The embargoes are causing shippers a great deal of trouble and should this condition be remedied the market should prove a very attractive one for some time. The Boston market is somewhat firmer owing to light receipts. The better grades continue in light sup- ply and receivers are holding for high- er prices. There is somewhat of an ao- cumulation of the poorer grades and 3:29“jfvhj’?.f212; K ‘3»,- 3. 6 (2'68) -* ' . ... mum.“ .. .1 1W ~»“\ . the demand is slow. "Not—a great'deal of stock reported in transit to this point, and they should have a'goOd market, especially on the better grades for some time to come. The New York market seems, to be receiving just a little more hay than can be readily absorbed~and Values ‘ Show some inclination to work lower. lleavy snow has interfered with track sales to some extent. Our correspond- ent reports that prices are somewhat irregular and fixed values are hard to make. We would not advise ship- ment to this market until such time as present stocks have had time to clean up. There is usually a very good demand for all grades but arrivals have been a little .too heavy, especially from nearby points. I‘m" a... . an r ,5 . . 1:; :. : ‘ Choice round , Medium Round Markets white-sacked ] white-sucked Detroit 2.15 cwt. 2.05 cwt. Chic-(o 1.75 1.60 Cincinnati 2.20 2.10 New York 2.25 2.15 Pittsburgh 1.75 1.60 Norfolk,Va. 2.25 2.10 The Detroit potato market is some- what firmer although it is too soon after the holidays to expect much of a change. Stocks are cleaning up and u; the market becomes more free from the off grade stuff which has troubled it all fall, we should see better condi~ tions. Arrivals at Chicago are very light. The holiday season always brings rather a. dull potato market there and this year has been no exception. Ship- ments in transit are lighter than for some time and as the market cleans up we expect to see a firmer condition. That market has been in about the same condition as others during the past thirty days; too much frosted and otherwise aifected stock. Supplies at Pittsburgh are none too heavy. but buyers there have had so much trouble with frosted stock that they are afraid to buy in any quantity. Great delays have been experienced in getting stock to that market and a great many shipments which were apparently in good condition at the time of (shipment, have arrived in a bad way. Receivers at New York say they are at a loss to understand the continued activity of that market. But New York has been no exception to other markets and has suffered the same from an overdose of frosted stock. At the present time it is almost impossi- ble to get stock there free from frost. Maine shippers have not been satisfied with conditions and have been holding back shipments, claiming they could do better at other points. We be— lieve there is bound to be a reaction there before a great while and in the meantime would not advise very ex- tensive shipments. What all markets need is a chance to clean up the poor stock with which they have been flooded. we advise holding up on isipments for a time and feel quite sure that this advice, fol- lowed generally, would result in a pern‘ianent improvement. The apple dcmand following the holidays. has been rathcr light as was only to be expected. Buying was very heavy for several weeks and many buyers supplied their wants for sev- eral weeks ahead. The Detroit range of values remains about the same. Spy, $G@$G50;. greening, $6 ((i*$6.25; HIIOVV, $6.50@$7.00; Baldwin, $5@$5.50; No. 2, $3@$3.50 per bbl. The (‘hicago apple market is quiet after the increased buying of last week. The market is fairly good for fancy goods but there is much poor stock be- ing shipped to that market. Prices this week have been about as follows: No. l to fancy Baldwins, $5@$5.25; Greenings. $5.50@$6; Jonathans, $6@ $6.50: Starks. $4@$4.50; Spies, $5@6; Ben Davis, $3.50@$3.75 ;Gan0ns, $4 @ $4.50; York. $4.75@$5; Wagners, $4 @$4.50; Grimes. $4.50@$5.00; Willow Twigs, $5.50@$6; Twenty Ounce, $5.50 @$6; Kings. $5@$6; Golden Russets, $4.50@$5; Talman Sweets, $4.50@$6; Winesaps, $4.50@$5; large green Pip- pins " for I $5; Twenty Ounce, all varieties, $1.75 @$.2.7,5.~ , « ' .» The butter market has been rather quiet during the' past week but the lim- ited supply has prevented any decline in price and there is very little chance of the market working lower until such time as spring brings an increase in the production. The held butter market has been more active than for some time, lack of the fresh article having proved a decided factor in this improvement. Detroit quotes fresh creamery ex- tras at 49c; firsts, 47 1-2c; storage creamery, 41c. New York is quoting creamery extras at 50c; firsts, 4415c @490; Philadelphia quotes creamery extras at 50c; firsts, 48@49c. There is no change in the egg mar- ket, nor is there liable to be any. The demand for fresh :ontinues away in excess of the supply. Even with in- creased receipts from now on, and they will not be worth considering un- til the latter part of February, the market; is in such shape that it will holod its own for a long time. This, of course, applies to the fresh article. There is still quite an amount of stor- age stock to move and some of it may have to move at a lower figure than is now anticipated. Detroit is quoting Michigan firsts at 50c per doz. Storage at 381463390 The Chicago market is running along at about the same figure. o.-\7,.llll.lil .H. ummmmv lmiiiiiz’flziii“Yilili‘liiiil? . "1‘”. IL. 1.}. m \In. Has the Government kept Faith With the Farmers of the. Nation? I wish to congratulate you because'of the ex- cellent editorial on the “Farmer’s Patriotism.” And possibly I may add something that may help to show just where the Farmer stands today in regard to this awful tragedy of tragedies. In April last the President expressed himself to the people of America in a proclamation entitled “Do your bit for America.” and a few expressions from that proclamation 7 wish to call your atten- tion tot Heassured the people engaged in all kinds of industries, and especially the farmer and the hired man that worked for the farmer that they were “soldiers behind the firing lines,” and gave us much encouragement to go ahead and “push” farming to the fullest extent; put every available acre of land in crops and thus greatly swell the food production to the very limit! He told us that the Government would help the farmer "to buy seed” and “to buy fertilizer,” and farm implements, and all other necessary equip- ment to successfully accomplish this great end. Result: Among the very first men drafted were the hired men on the farms, and farmers within the age‘limit, and when you take from the farms the skilled labor, men of years of experience in work on the farm, and the men that owned and op- erated successfully their own farms, those with— in the age limit, you literally roh the farm of its productivenesu and put a ban on farming that ef- fectively combats the very end sought. Increased production again? Fertilizer has not sold for such high prices in years as the last season Farm machinery has nearly doubled in price. EVERYTHING a farmer has to buy costs about double what it cost before war was declared. Now, added to these troubles. came the more serious one of all, weather conditions. For three years the farmers of Michigan have greatly suffered be- cause of extremely bad weather conditions. How little the general public know of the trouble, and sorrow and disappointment and great loss caused the farmer by not having favorable weather to grow and harvest a crop! Little do the people of the great cities understand the grief, and heart- ache caused to the farmers and their families when they plant a crop and expect to harvest enough to pay the interest on the mortgage and pay for some farm machinery needed to success- fully work the farm, and then have enough left to clothe and feed the family. and at the end of the season find they have run behind, In this connection let me say that a great majority of the farmers of Michigan eSDeC‘ IHHHIIIIHIHHHHIllhiii!11il|ill|lllllnl.l{his.Ju.‘1 ially the small farmers, those who own 40 or 80 acre-3 of land, have farms that are mortgaged. A money loaner told me a few days since that he held a mort- gage on a man farm which had been running for the last forty- six years. A glance at the loans being made to farmers by the Federal Loan Agency will fully convince you on this sub ject. To return to the subject un— der consideration. The Presi- dent said, “thousands, nay, hun— dreds of thousands, of men oth— erwise liable to military service will of right and necessity be excused from that service and assigned to the fundamental. sustaining work of the fields. etc. etc." Now, I do not wish to‘infer that the farmer should be exempt from military service. 3. unless this government can best : advance its own interests by ‘5 keeping him on the farm. Un— doubtedl‘y there are hundreds of young farmers that would glad- ly serve their country in a mil- itary capacity; yes, and per- haps would much rather serve that way. than serve on the farm —~bu‘t can ”115 government afford to take them from the farm, the place they are best fitted to m]? Again, “the Government will co- operate with the farmers in se— curing labor to help harvest the crops. and to sell them; etc, em" Here are the facts: The Govern- ment took the skilled farm labor and it has never, so far as I know even attempted to help the farmer obtain labor to se— cure his harvest All thru the Iiiilfliiliijiliiiilhil|HI}iHI.‘illIi1lllillllilllillllllllll‘ um “l“l‘lll Hl‘ ‘ ‘ I H 4 l.l.i.l|uili}"1r'ZL.I"C" 331’ im lIl'll‘u: ‘l'iimmqn .., readers can figure my profit(?) A" Thumb of Michigan, the-bid" worn-Out farm- er (for his boys f have .'recently been taken) and his faithful old wife, have been obliged to work in'the field all' day and many times well through the night to secure their crops. Many a wife, whose place is in the house, where she can attend to her many household duties, has been obliged to go to the field and work behind the hay loader and in the hay mow and help dig pota~ toes and husk corn, and draw stalks—work that the American woman is incapable of doing, and work she has never been educated to do. This was absolutely necessary or the crops would have rotted in the fields. The promised help never came; the “Excused Farmer” has been taken to Custer and is in train- ing. All that are left on the fiarms of Michigan are old, worn-out, played-out, decrepit hasbeenz. Can such farmers furnish the food necessary to win the war? Has the Government kept faith with the farmer? Has it kept its agreement? Now a word in regard to what the farmer re- ceives for his produce. The most money the farm- ers ever made from the bean crop was the year that we received $2.40 a bushel, and they picked about five pounds to the bushel; this netted us $2.15 for our beans; but that year the weather conditions were normal, and our beans went about 23 bushels to the acre. This past season I sowed on this farm seed that cost $10.00 a bushel. I put in 23 acres; I never did so much work in cultivat- ing as this past 3 ason. The weather was such that it was hard to get on the ground to put them in in season. Then it was too cold for them to germinate as they should. The result was slow, very slow growth. When the harvest time came We had rain, rain, rain. It was absolutely impos- sible to secure the crop. A good hard snow storm came just in time to snow them all under after they were in the bunch. This snow froze on to some extent. I personally worked in the fields, as many others did. shaking the snow off the bunches. How many times we turned them over and shook them out. and spread them out, only to receive another soaking rain, I will not venture to say, but at last they were secured. 'While I have not threshed yet, I feel confident I will not receive from my 23 acres over 46 bushels of badly spoiled beans. My beans are a fair sample of the average all over the Thumb of Michigan. My yield is a fair estimate of the yield all through this part of the state. In work and cash I have put into my bean crop about $300. Any of our The bean crop is a fair sample of every crop raised on the farm this past season. Is the farmer a slacker? Now, the inevitable result of this Government using the farmer as it has is as follows: Many .dlnl!:3‘:*"§" . .‘ ‘ Ililéillllillllillllliffl Twill“ liiliIHI.‘Y'5’ilH!'.lI1I}Hi?‘l!i¥'!!li15.’"‘l?li 3:1.‘V . i4 U mi.” N , . , I minimummHim:"munWimmlmtmmimmmmmmmmnmmtnnmix “d ~ -* 5.006550 of the farmers’are seeding doWn their farms, and many are renting, and others are selling them. And a still greater number will just try and raise suflicient crops to enable them to live, and no more. Their help is gone, and unjust discrimin- ation in regard to the Government refusing to pay the farmer a fair profit for his hard work has brought this about, In conclusion, I wish to say that I have been on the farm for 14 years and I feel perfectly capa- ble of presenting these facts, because I have passed through all the various experiences of farm life, and I am forced to the conclusion that the farmer is NOT appreciated as he should be.— A. M., Caro. Makes Difference Whose Foot Shoe Pinches Will have to congratulate you on the stand you took with Administrator Miller, if you ever told the truth they don’t know how to judge the farmers needs. As to protests will send you some clippings from the Grand Rapids Herald. Would like to have Mr. Miller drop in some time to the Farmers Clubs and then he could see if they were kicking. They have got to give the farmer re- lief some time before long. But am afraid it won’t come in time to help the crop for next year. It was not but 2 or 3 years ago that they made the farmer sort out all the big potatoes and keep them at home. Now they want them, the bigger the better. Don’t know how the farmer can suit them. Next year when they don’t get enough to go around they will call the farmer a slacker. The bean men at Mesick told me the other day he bought some beans shipped them and lost $6.00 on the deal. Said he could not stand that kind of a deal. I asked him what he thought about the farmer sort out all the big potatoes and keep or 3 bushels per acre and then getting $6.50 a bu. for them. He thought the farmer ought to be pa- triotic and help win the war. But of course, they could not be patriotic and lose $6.00 on a car of beans and asked him what he could do about it, he said he would have to pick them closer from the farmer. Ha! Ha! First. last and all the time—F. E. B.. Sherman, Mich. No. 2 Potatoes are Best The No. 2 potato is a better grade than the No. 1. This is my judgment and am not willing to take less for N0. 2 than N0. 1 as in other words I am not in favor of two grades of potatoes and a screen 1 5—8 inch is plenty large enough if the government wants to furnish the greatest of all ammunition (food stuif) then let the farmers have protection in this line and its only a just demand that the government should protect us.— S. ’l’. (1., Fife Lakc, Mich. (It’cmlcrs’ Editorials continual on following page) :vffi‘l‘ $.34Wm.l}.l‘H‘{‘11”1:111inlllmflifihiflfi‘w“ j '9- mmmnmiimm .1..i. :1.i.‘i'li‘lHWIiHHHiIHHI JulillllillllllilllllllllllllllllIlllillllllllllillllllll l l lililfllflflllllllllllllllllllllllilll WEA’IIHHLLHLI ""pi and Louisiana (‘ottonsced (lrushcrs. lll(‘ 'l‘onncsscc Crushers’ Association andiho Arkan- (‘rushcrs’ AssocFation. associations not ask for Membcrs of these agreed that they would their cottonsecrl cake the remainder of this season a price exceeding the basis of price agreed upon by the Tex- as Association, which is as follows, fob their mills at shipping pointsz 4?, per (011i. protein bagged, ton $03.50 All per cen‘; protein, bagged. ton 51.50 :18 per cent protein, bagged, ton 48.50 36 per cent protein, bagged, ton 46.50 Purchasers of. cottonseed throughout the country should not pay exceeding these prices plus transp'rtation and a reasonable profit to any dealer thru whom they may place their orders. POULTRY WARRIORS WI'LL‘ ', HELP TO WIN THE WAR. The humble hen can play a prom- inent part in preventing the pic-siege of the Prussian peril. The quickest and cheapest way of adding to our meat supplfes is to increase poultry and egg production. To doable this production next year will give us 6,— 500,000,000 pounds of meat food in the form of poultry and eggs. By having this amount of poultry food for do- mestic consumption we will eat le'i pork and beef. and can send almost that many pounds of meat to E1‘2“‘ne to feed our soldiers. the armies of the Allies, and the destitute civilians. The United States Department of Agriculture wishes every farrrc" to understand the importance of (“ub- ling our poultry production nex‘ i'c‘r. It is a vital part of the general food production campaign, and that cam— ,paign must be carried out in zi‘l its details to insure victory in this "Car. The ch’ef poultry increase mr be made 0“ ”10 general farms 0" the countryr~on cwcm/ farm in the (”urn—V try. It, must be made as a byprod— uct of general farming. The farmer must gct his flock to such size, in r=ro~ portion to his farm. that all the r'wtc and scraps, and land available for chickens to run on will be used. cod the fowls kept up from. these sou‘mcs and a reasonable amount of other ‘9 Id. The Department docs not sugr'ut that extensive poultry enterprises be taken up by the general farmer. In fact, it warns against that very thing. But it urges cwcry/ farmer to keep just as many hens. and produce just as many chickens and eggs as he ran economically and as a by-product of his general farming The average size of the farm flock in the United States now is forty hens. If the average is increased to one hun- dred hens next your the desired increase in proportion should be ob- tained. Many farms. of course, can have flocks of several hundred, and some farms will have to keep less. But the effort is to increase the farm average to at least l00 hens. It is an astounding fact that there a re a million and a half eggless farms in the I‘nited States—an economic anomaly and an agricultural absurd- ity. Out of a total of 6,371,502 farms, l.3;’.7.7~tft report, no egg production in the last. census, liven if we had never been forced to go to war with Germany this condition would be one demanding every effort at correctionflsfor each farm can. at least produce sufficient poultry and eggs for home consumption, and thereby be a more profitable farm. It would he to the self-interest of every one of these million and a half farm- crs to commence poultry production, if there were no war. But because we are at war is a more important reason why they should do so—the fact that they will be helping win the war— helping to preserve their own free existence in a free country. Carly hatching next spring is nec- essary if the desired increase in pro- duction is attained. It is also neces- sary, during the winter. that farmers save young l‘c“s and pullcts. so they will be on hand for stock in the spring. The stock of the Nation has been re- duced considerably this fall by a wide- spread sale. for market, of young hens and pullets. Therefore it is nec- essary to conserve stock now, or else the shortage may interfere seriously with the production program. In view of the stock shortage, to kill a good hen now is to reduce the potential egg production next year anywhere from five to twelve dozen eggs. Summing up the situation, these are the things for the farmer to do in order to increase poultry production: Stop marketing for meat this win- ter the young hens and pullets that have potential egg production value next year. Save stock now to insure an adequate supply of layers for next spring. . '9 (Continued from last week) Why is it that farmers have been unable to take advantage of the parcel ‘ post and the sweeping reduction in rates. made by the express companies in handling food products? Not long ago the writer had an interview with the general manager of one of the ex- press companies in his New York of- fice. In reply to the question of how his company was prepared to serve the individual farmer and the small co- operative society he replied: I can best answer your question by explain- ing the conditions which make this problem a difficult one. It is so ob- vious that a tremendous gain to both producer and consumer would be brot about if the two could deal directly with each other, that the alluring prospect of mutual gain leads one to dwell upon the desirable results rath- er than upon the great difficulties that prevent a speedy realization of such a condition. But experience and a close analysis of the situation reveals obstacles which must be overcome be- fore it will be possible to bring about a general movement of food products directly from producer to consumer. I do not mean by this that many pro- gressive farmers and groups may not forge ahead of the rank and file and make it profitable to themselves. This is now being done in many cases. But in order to achieve success, the draw- backs must be understood ani allow- ances made. The lack of general standardiza- tion of farm products is perhaps the Ihirg about all others which deters the individual from dealing directly with the farmer. The individual wants to know what he is to get be- fore he places his order. The absence of standards to which the farmers con- form makes it impossible for the con- sumer to know with any certainty what kind of eggs, butter, fowl or fruit he will receive when he orders from the country. Then, too, the sea- sonal nature of the farmer’s business gives rise to other problems. He must have a steady supply. He must never run out of produce, but must always supply it promptly on demand. How can he expect to compete with the city store which draws its supply from all parts of the country and from all lands of the earth? Even in regard to eggs, a commodity which is produc- ed as nearly the year ’round as any there are seasons in which the supply of the individual runs short and in which he would lose his customers. “In order to secure an even distri- bution of. food products thruout the year for the great masses of people storage facilities are necessary so that in the season of greatest production products of various kinds may be stored for the season of small or our- tailed production. Otherwise an en- tire crop will often have to be dis- posed of when it matures, to people who are prepared to hold it. For the farmer to build storage plants would, in most cases, be impossible. Many co—operative societies are doing so in some of the progressive communities. The fact that many foods are of a per- ishable nature, makes dealing at a long distance difiicult. Some food nec- essarily deteriorates in transit and is eliminated by the retailer before it reaches the consumer. In direct sell- ing the consumer would receive all such food. This would also be a big source of dissatisfaction to most peo- ple. For these reasons, it'is difficult for the individual to market his pro- duce to fill orders secured by the food department of our company. With but few exceptions those furnishing our orders are produce companies, cream- eries and storekeepers. "Co-operative societies among farm- ers could easilydeal direct with con- sumers. This seems to be the only way in which the problem of distribu- tion from the farmer’s standpoint can be worked out with any degree of suc- W. ‘Milton Kelley, Authority and Writer .f‘ Natidnal‘. Reputation, tells Michigan Business F anners-Some. Valuable Facts on Grading and Standard- ization of Farm Products ElIIIIIIIIllIlIIIIIImlIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. llIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllIIlIIIIIIIlIIllIIIIIIII|lI|IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII|IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIImIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII' IllIIII|IIIlIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII il cess. A capable business head should be employed to, relieve individuals of the details of marketing. A high-class man would be necessary, one who has had some general experience in mak- ing sales and advertising and who has had a good training in detail work; One thing our company is doing for those who can use our devises is endeavoring to bring about standard- ization of food 'products. We are ex- perimenting with different forms of carriers. One is a box which will car- ry eggs safely in large or small quan- tities. We hope the inventor will soon be in a position to manufacture it.” In discussing these difficulties 11:. marketing the writer holds no brief for the crooked commission merch- ant. But a whole lot of the wrong kind of criticism has been directed at Farmers are Receiving $6.60 for Beans; (Continued from page 1) tration felt that the staff of life was quite necessary; and with one swoop, set the price on wheat. When the axe was raised, wheat was quoted at $2.90 per bushel, and the old boys were speculating in future and look- ing forward to a “killing.” Down came the axe, and prices tumbled -to two dollars per bushel, and since that time there has not been a ripple in the wheat market. Wheat growers soon learned that their wheat was worth; accepted the decree, work was accomplished. But for some reason, no doubt good and sufficient, the Food Administra- tion has refused to act in connection with the bean situation. We have been advised that when the growers set the price at the arbitrary figure of $8 per bushel, Mr. Hoover shook his head, and said they were not worth it, and he would let the market take its course Well, be this as it may, the Michi- gan white bean, the peer of all beans and the best and most valuable food product,.has been kicked and mauled about until no one knows what to do or how to unravel the tangled skein. We are willing to a wager any reasonable amount that ninety- enght per cent of the bean growers of Michigan are willing right now to accept a price for their beans which will give them the same profit. as will wheat at two dollars per bushel. We claim that Michigan white beans are worth eight dollars per bushel; that bean growers can not make a reasonable profit at less than eight dollars per bushel—and we believe that an investigation will prove these figures to be right. If they are not right, then the grow- ers will take less. But right here is the proposition as viewed by the grow- er. It has cost time, anxiety, trouble and money to raise beans, and the growers do not propose to sell their beans to the bean-jobbers and allow them to hold up the consumer, and make their thousands as they have done in the past. Would the jobbers and dealers hold up cOnsumers? We shall see: Throughout Michigan last week, the elevatOr men, who were'members' of the bean jobbers association were pay- “I want to tell you that a fellow who takes any pride and interest in his writings prefers to write for a paper which has a definite mission and the editorial backbone to stand by the farmers in these days 01‘ bus- iness changes and government price-fixing- Personally I am (“89%th with many publications that are attempting to serve both God ‘and mammon, and doing a mighty poor job at both.”——W. MILTON KELLEY. and the good I nIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIlIllIIIIIIIIIE lIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlII'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIlllIIIIIIlIlIlIImlIIIlIlIlllIlIIIlIIII|ImMIlflmflmlmmflmnfllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII|IIII|IIIIIII|IIIIII|IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE. these firms by writers, editors, Grang- es and women's clubs when the funda- mental trouble is 011 the farm where the products are produced. Honest packing and grading will eliminate the necessity for service and make it impossible for the commission firms to make excessive charges for service. A little careful study of the selling problem will convince you that there are many capable and honest commis- sion houses that will be glad to carry your account and look after your in- terests properly, if you will put up your products so honest and trust- worthy that they will sell and create a demand for more of the same kind. A few dollars invested in railroad fare and hotel expenses in a large city where one could visit the markets and commission houses and spend a few days studying and investigating the ing farmers, on an average, $6.60 per bushel for Michigan No. 1 white beans. We know of many elevators that were selling small lots of beans at eight dollars per bushel, f. 0. b. loading station. We will admit that the farm- ers were not selling many beans at that price, neither was there an ac— tive demandwbut the above statement can be fully substantiated. Now let us get right down close to the (consumer! In the City of Washington, within four blocks of the food administration building, author- ised dealers were selling white beans at 400 per puart. Yesterday in De troit the writer asked for quotations on beans at seven local stores. At the Broadway Market I paid twenty cents for a pound of beans. At F. A. Minnie’s grocery store, the same price was paid. And out of the seven stores, just one quoted a price less than twenty cents. John Blessed’s grocery handed out a pound of beans —wrapping paper included—and the charge was eighteen cents. What do y0u think of. the propo- sition Mr. Hoover? There are sixty pounds in a bushel of beans. The grower gets $6.60 for his bushel; and for the same bushel the grocery gets twelve dollars— a net profit of eighty two per cent. Are the growers asking too much, when they try to :get $8, with a selling price to the consumer of $12? Here's a profit of thirty-and one-third per cent to be diVided between the bean jobber and the local grower. What do you think of this for “war profits?" The Food Administration should follow the suggestions made more than sixty days ago by this publication. and make an impartial investigation of the Michigan bean situation and set the price on Michigan No. 1 white beans. The grow-ers are willing that the investigation should be made, Mr. Hoover, and in justice to these loyal patriotic farmers, the investigation should be made and at once. Under present conditions the bean jobbers are playing a waiting case. They are sure the growers will be obliged to “loosen up about tax time" as one of them remark-ed the other day and they are trying to either freeze them out or smoke them out with strange and weird storm of what methods of buying and selling preduce would prove a good investment. The man who could see shipments graded and sold ,_at these markets would have a different idea about service and com- mission charges. Visit. your commis- sion man and tell him what you want to know, and he will be glad to take pains to show you how to put up your ' produce so that it will bring the top market price. He is there to do busi- ness and he can tell you of. men who send him such dishonest stuff that he frequently has to dig down in his own pockets to make good part of the pur- chase price when his customers come back with a protest. He can also tell You what days are best for shipping and if you have storage facilities he will keep you informed of market con- ditions and advise you when you had better sell or hold your products for higher prices. ’ Select one reliable commission mer- chant and ship everything you have to sell to him. Try and put your prod- ucts up in packages suited to his trade. Plan to use the cull stuff at home. In this way you can get better prices than by doing business with several houses. The more shippers a commis- sion man can get to ship products of high quality the betterprices he can obtain for them, because he has the opportunity to hold a high-class trade where quality is first and price the second consideration. Consumers Pay $12.00 the “Food Administration will do.” 'Bean growers are not holding their beans to “hold up the Government" they are trying to keep their beans out of the speculators’ hands and they are amply justified in doing so. It’s a long time before another bean crop will be harvested, and in the mean time the grower should remem- ber that the consumer is paying $12 per bushel for beans. HOW MORE FOOD CAN BE PRODUCED There are opportunities where the farmers can increase the crop output and at the same time provide :1 future fruit supply. 011 many farms we can find waste land such as second-growth, swampy land and land strewn with boulders that are useless in that con- dition. _ All such land should be cleared and reclaimed. If planted to fruit trees, . cultivated crops can be grown between the tree. When we do that the food supply is augmented and provision is made toward the future fruit supply. The writer had a pieceof land that was in such condition. There were stumps on it. In order to clear it quickly stumping powder (a 40 per cent grade of dynamite) was used. The stumps and second growth was easily blown out. After blasting, the soil was plowed, trees were planted and potatoes were planted between the trees.’ The har- vested crop of potatoes off this patch mm all expenses and then some. There were forty trees planted. No doubt there are many such places just like this one was before it was cleared. If all such places would be reclaimed it is easy to be seen the benefit to be derived for the present and future. The demand for food is so great that it is important that 1918 must show an increase of food production. The American farmerlcan do it.—Fred A. Kuhn. I se e in the Clio Messenger, the Detroit Creamery Co. is putting in machinery for condensing milk be- caus the Government gives .them a fair profit above the cost of produc- tion. Who is going to set the price of production up here where ensil— age costs $15.00 per ton this year? No coin in it at that price.-—J. D. T. ~. . serene: ‘ 1‘0.an to. aide . e not'dolngmuc 'only occasionally (that is what we can get at a time at local mine; if we get on more than a ton 'we have to throw the surplus off ”when we weigh out). The majority of'the farms here have no wood, so we have to get coal or freeze. The other day I went to'the mine to get coal and counted 42 wagons lined up waiting their turn,,and those that came last could not get any. Some of these wagons came 20 miles. The government allows the mine to charge $4.40 per ton at the mine. Now, according to late reports the Government is going to run the railroads, and it ought to go a step farther and take possession ,of the coal lands and develop them. There are millions of tons of coal right under the county which is bought up and held by the coal barons, which should and also could be producing coal for a suffering public. If this coal land was developed it would supply a large part of Michigan and stop congestion of railroads on coal shipped from the south Hay is very scarce in this county, not near enough. for home use. Most farmers had a good~s12ed straw stack around here and considerable corn fodder, and this helps out on the hay shortage, and the most of the farmers are saving their hay for their spring work a. d feeding their horses straw and corn 5 lks, with a little grain. Considerable poultry has gone to market and some hogs have gone the same way the last few days. The bean business is at a. stand- still as far as the farmers are concerned. By the time the elevators get done with your bean testing and picking you may have $4 or $5 a bushel left. There are quite a lot of corn shocks in the fields yet with soft corn in them frozen up like icicles; we have to thaw it to feed 'o the pigs. No contracts signed for beets as yet. We have got to have $10 for beets this year or quit. One way beets were handy this year, growers could get 300 pounds of sugar on their contracts. and all grOWers availed themselves of this priv— ilege and got 300 lbs. I got mine at $7.35 per hundred—V. T. M._ Auburn, De— cember 30. OCEANA (East)-——Weather is cold, Not much snow. Wheeling is fine. Farmers doing their chores and cutting wood and hauling some to town, getting about $3 per cord. No potatoes moving—F. M., Hesperia, Dec. 28. BRANCH (North)—Farmers are doing chores and cutting wood. Weather dry and cold. Ground bare and fro_zen hard. Farmers are selling stock mostly. Oats selling at sales at 780 and hay at $24.— F. S.. Union City, Dec. 28. PRESQUE ISLE (Central)—The weath— er has been very cold the past week. A number of the farmers are complaining of having potatoes frozen the past week. It looks as though the acreage would be considerably out next year if the present conditions prevail. There would be a big acreage of sugar beets planted here next year if the farmers could get $10. but they will not contract for $8.——D. D. S., Millers- burg, Dec. 29 HURON (West Central)—-We have been having some snappy weather the par: few days. Farmers are selling beans quite freely. Two cars of coal have arrived this week. Pine stumps are all the style this winter; dry wood is in good demand. Very few hogs or cattle being fed for the market. Beans are not all threshed. Farm labor is going to be scarce the, com- ing season. G. W., Elkton, Dec. 28. INGHAM (Central)—Cold~ Farmers are busy getting wood, doing chores, etc. Some hay being sold, local buyers are paying $20 at barn in small lots to feed on farms, for shipping they are paying $18 to $20 per ton. One farmer shipped 260 lambs to Buffalo this week. Stock doing well. Ground is bare and dry, and wheat looks poor and small. Most of the hogs here have been disposed of, feed too high to feed and farmers are short. Some talk of planting neither beans nor pota- toes for sale next year—C. F. M., Mason, Dec. 13. WEXFORD (West Central)-——Cold and snappy. Everyone in town seems to be crying for wood and the farmers are all crying for sugar except those who send to the mail order houses for it. Some of the grocers will tell you they haven’t a bit when they are known to have it, and this is no josh as we are prepared to prove it. ——-S. H. S., Harrietta, Dec. 29. LAPEER (West Central)—Farmers not doing much but their chores and cutting wood on account of the shortage of coal. Some beans and oats being sold. Farm- ers pressing hay but not much being sold. Beans not all threshed yet. No clover seed in this locality. Some farmers are hauling gravel on the state roads. The weather has been very cold—C. R. S., Lapeer_ Dec. OTSEGO (West)——-The weather is very cold; this morning the mercury registered 28 below. The farmers are getting rich on the 50c potato crop.——C. A., Gaylord, Dec. 29. GENESEE (Soutlieast)—Farmers are threshing beans, cutting wood and husk— mg corn. Several are also butchering hogs for home use. The weather has been cold and we have not had any snow. The fields are not protected by snow at all. and the ground is frozen to a depth of several inches. Several of the farmers are getting their icehouses ready for fill— ing, Hogs are being rushed to the mar- ket, but other livestock is moving slowly. Grains and hay are also moving slow. Several farmers who were holding pota- toes lost them by the cold spell. Farmers are not buying feeds of any kind. There is still a shortage of coal. The farmers are selling quite a lot of wood, which is helping .out in the cities and‘ towns—C. W. S., Fenton. Dec. 28. BA'Y (Southeast)——Bean threshing. and hay baling about finished. Beans yielded 6 to 7 bu. per acre. some small pieces doing better. Good dairy feed is scarce on account of the poor corn crop—J. C. A., Munger, Dec. 28. "15f : .18. ache rm rs _ . their chimes: afidgetting' their ton of coal * i 12.851513 ,- ALLEGAN (Southeast-)—-—Quite a num- ber of old orchards are being cut down around here for‘ fuel, this being about all the wood available to some farmers. A good many farmers are hauling their corn from the field as needed to feed. Zero weather with no snow on the ground. Roads are rather rough. ly all holding potatoes for higher prices. —W. F., Otsego, Dec. 29. MONTCALM (Southwestern)—.Farmers are busy attending to the beans which were recently threshed, on account of not being ready to harvest, also wet weather when taken care of. A small amount of Farmers near- ‘ wood is being sold but can-not get men to ' work at cutting. A large amount of hay is wanted, the price received is $22 per ton at the barn. Weather is very cold With no snow on the ground. Potatoes are moving slow owing to the cold weath— er.—H, L., Greenville, Dec. 28. MANISTEE (Northwest)-—The farmers have been taking things easy lately. The most of the beans are threshed and they averaged from one to twenty bushels to the acre; only one job that I have heard of going as much as the latter figure, and lots of them going from one to three bu. to the acre. The most of the farmers who have threshed their crops are sitting on the bags—nothing selling in that line. Potatoes are not moving, either. Cattle and hogs are being shipped all the time, and in all probability they will be scarce in this vicinty next sprng. The weather has been bad for fall grain the past week as the fields are covered with ice. Auc- tion sales are the only things going these days; milch cows have sold higher, horses low. hay high, the latter at $29 per ton—— C. H. S., Bear Lake Dec. 25. GLAD‘VIN (Soutliwest)—Thc snow is gone and we are getting some good cold weather again. Not much doing. mily getting up wood and doing chores. Some farmers are selling beans to pay their taxes, but most are holding what few they have in an effort to try and come out even anyway. Mr; Jones. a pioneer thresher of this section, died at his home in Beaverton last week—V. V. K., Beav— erton, Dec. 26. OCEANA (Souilienst)——The farniei‘s of this vicinity have sold out about all they have had to sell, as they were unable to hold their produce and longer. There is no snow on the ground at all and it looks as though some damage would result to fall grain. as it has no protection and it is freezing very hard—H. V. V. R., H‘esperia, Dec: 27. MONROE (Essa—live had no snow for Christmas but the ground was frozen very hard; not very good for wheat and mood— ows. The roads are rough—111 II. M.. Monroe, Dec. 27. MONROE (“'est Central)———Wc are hav— ing some soft weather; snow almost gone. Freezing nights and thawing during the day. The farmers are busy husking corn to feed. and bailing hay; some are selling oats. N0. 1 hay is selling at $20 per ton, No. 1 oats at 7GC.—W. H. L., Dec 24 IVEXFORI) (“'est (TentraI)—(li‘ound frozen hard. Has been very foggy_for two or three days. Rain Sunday night and snow is. very near off it leaves the ground bare for winter grain. cutting Wood is now the order of the day. Some have been so busy that neglected some of their potatoes that were in piles in the fields which resulted in a general fret-z— ing up.——S. H. S., Harrietta, Dec. 22. KALKASKA (“'est Central) — The weather is quite mild. The farmers are hauling wood to town. They arc. hold- ing potatoes for a higher pricc. All the farmers in this part of the county have to sell is potatoes and they are slow sale. The farmers are getting rid of some of their horses and cattle on ac— count of having to buy most all their feed and it is so high priced they can— not afford to buy it, so they are selling at. slow salc.-~R.IC.I’.., So. Bozii‘dman. I'M-— cember 23. ARENAC (East)——-At this Writing no snow; fair and cold. Farmers are got,- ting out wood. baling hay and marketing some produce. Some auction sales lll't‘ being held and everything going ”mad i-x— cept horses. Livestock looks good. No price for beans and farmers are holding. Some farmers clearing land, getting out material for barns—M. l5. It, Twining, Dec. 29 IOSCO (Soutlieast)-’l‘hc weather is cold and the farmers are not doing nun-Ii of anything but their chores and getting out wood for their own use, as coal is scarce and hard to get. Good Wood is selling in town for from $2.50 to $2.75 per cord. Farmers haven't much to sell: some have a little hay. which is selling at $16 per ton. Bean threshing is about done and it proved a very poor crop. The average was from 2 to 6 bu. per zit-re, with the bigger share of them wet and not marketable. The talk among the farmers is not so many beans next year. I threshed my beans last week and they were pretty wet. I spread them on a floor about 3 inches thick. Do you think they will dry? Some of the farmers are selling their wet ones at $2.50 per bu.; they are afraid they will spoil. I wish you would tell me what to do with mine. whether to keep them on prospects of them drying or sell them at $2.50 for wet beans. I have 40 bu., and they are frozen hard as stones just now: never had any experience with wet beans and don’t know what to do ~—.\. B. L.. 'l‘awzis City, Dec. 28. [Why don't you take. say a peek of them_ and dry them out in the house, and see what happens? if they dry out all right and you have any way 01' drl'ing the rest of them it would cer— tainly Day YOU to dry them before selling them.at $2.50 per bu. If they dry out in fair shape you could no doubt make } some way to dry your forty bushels in the house, at any rate it would pay you to try it.—Ed.] TUSCOLA (Central)——Farmers are cut— ting wood and doing chores. It is very cold with little snow. Farmers are sell- ing some hay and oats, no stock this week. Horses are going very low, one man selling a five~year—old colt this week for $40 and some going for less than that. Farmers are not hol ing much. Beans most all sold here; farmers will not put in many next year, can’t get the price or the help, as most all the men are drafted, and many have gone to the cities to work—R. B. C., Caro, Dec. 29 OTTAWA (Northeast)-—The farmers in this vicinity are patiently waiting for some bean thresher. Lots of beans here have not been threshed yet. Those who have threshed and had wet and spoiled beans sold right away for what they could get. The weather is pleasant but very cold with no snow.——R. J. K., Conk— lin, Dec. 28. ST. JOSEPH (Northeast)—The farm- ers are cutting wood and butchering, sell- ing fat hogs and wood. Some farmers have had to hold hogs on account of not being able to get cars to ship in. Plenty of stock—horses and cows—for sale on account ofthe scarcity of feed; corn was a poor crop, soft.——VV. W., Colon, Tlec. 29. INGHAM (Southwest)——The weather is around zero and going lower. Farmers are cutting wood. Some beans yet to tliresh here, one farmer went back to the old flail to thresh his. Hey is in demand at $20 per ton and hard to find. Very few farmers are feeding lambs, corn is high and hard to get at $3 per cwt.-+B. W., Leslie, Dec. SAGINA“' (“Ruth-Tho farmers have just finished tl‘ircshing their beans, they yielded from 3 to 5 bu. to the acre. Some were of very good quality and others will pick heavy. The snow is all gone and the cold weather is hurting the wheat a. good deal. We are doing chores and cutting wood. Stock is looking good so far but feed is going to. be source before spring—(l. L. St, Charles, Doc. 28. (‘HEBOYGAV (Soiiih)—-A Happy Now Year to all. ‘Vc are having real Medicine Hat weather up here, 30 below on the morning of the 28th. Not"much snow and ground frozen to a depth of two feet. Many potatoes in cellars and pits frozen. Some farmers say as many as 90 per cent frozen. Bean threshing still in. progress. Beans ver poor both in quantity and quality. ond market remainsact‘ive, at $2.50 $3.00.- Dealers are paying $21.00, per thousand for maple logs. Consider- able hay to bale yet, selling at $20. Oats at 90c.———Wolverine. ST. JOSEP (North Central)—We are in the grip 0 zero weather, and as the ground is bare it is surely bad on wheat, rye and clover, as a rule wheat and rye in this vicinity went into winter with a small top. Hundreds of acres of rye that never showed up at all on account of ex- tremely late seeding. Farmers are cut- ting some wood for market, hauling very sparingly of grain, especially of oats. Of course there isn't any corn moving on ac- count of its being a complete failure. Some farm sales with all stock selling exceed- ingly high excepting horses and they are moving slow. Every farmer who raised beans or potatoes is surely at sea about what to do. Some elevator men will make an offer on-the former and some will not buy a bushel of beans at. any price. How can we get them on the market to help Uncle Sam? Of course the potato deal is at a standstill on account of the weath- er, and it seems g d to have a little time to make some extra. bins in the cellar for the dozen or so different grades we haul- ed back fi'om the patriotic(?) buyer and his disreputable screen. We have re- sponded to the call of “bigger production," now is it asking too much if we say, “buy our beans that we may pay our taxes.” Personally I am not worrying whether they buy mine or not as I only had 25 bu. from 12 acres and they are at least 20 lb. pickers. T intend to hand-pick . them. for i hate to pay Sc a pound for picking to elevator men. and after being docked 20 lbs. lose the picking—H. A. H., Mendon. Dec. 31. BENZIE (North)—Farmers are getting up wood, Cold and stormy; some snow. Selling some hay. the surplus all or near- ly all gone; half of the farmers buying feed. Farmers are holding potatoes and beans for better prices. No sale for horses. (‘attle very slow. The only thing farmers are buying is food and then more feed. Several farmers have killed old horses and some cattle, although they are not good beef. Beef selling by peddling it out 100 per lb. by the (marten—F. M.,' Elberta, Dec. 29. Am so glad for your little paper, and have read with interest your articles on the potato situation. The one to date, Dec. 15, is alone worth the price you ask for a year's subscription—W. l) O., Lakeview, Mich. “Carry on i.” M. B. F. is the best paper in our home. The paper we. should have had long ago. Yours sucressfully. —-J. De B., Marion, Mich. .WHY ADVERTISING IN MICHIGAN BUSINESS FARMING PAYS. BUSINESS You have a want that could be satisfied by advertising it in this weekly which reaches the best class of business FARMERS farmers, like yourself in every county in Michigan! You have something to sell that somebody else wants—turn it into money! You are planning on buying something, advertise for it, perhaps some other farmer has the very article for which he no longer has any use and will sell it to you at a bargain! you want to exchange! itials count as words. Are you a good trader~advertise what The rate is so low, 3c per word, numbers and in- Scnd in your ad today for next week’s issue. “ LIVESTOCK You ought to use the Breeder’s Directory in every is- BREEDERS later in sue if you have blooded stock to sell either now or the season. This weekly offers you a direct means of reaching just the class of farmers who are your best buyerS. They want your stock. they are writing us to know where to buy it! Tell them through iVIH‘IllHAN BusiNicss FARMlNG. the real farm weekly of Michigan. you cannot afford to stay out! POULTRY RAISERS Ask us today for live stock advertisintr rates, they are so low Your harvest season is just at liandnvthe biggest poul- try year in the past decade. they are going to send away for their settings. sell eggs for hatching, don’t wait another minute.‘ Farmers want better stock, If you Send in copy for the advertisement you want inserted, we will send you rates by return mail. There is not a single, minute to lose and you will find Mu‘iiioAN Busmnss FARMING just as good an order puller as it is a farmer’s weekly~~let us prove it! MANUFACTURERSYOii who make the implements and farm helps that are going to help win the war, wake up to the opportunity which MicmoAN Busixixss FAltMlNG offers you to reach the best class of business farmers in the sixth agricultural state of the-union! Our farmers want to know what you have to offer them that will save them time and money‘, our advertising columns are open to all honest, legitimate advertisers of good goods that we can put our own guarantee behind—read over this issue and you will see why you want your name and your product advertised here. Address, ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Michigan Business Farming, 110 Fort St, DETROIT c ['33 ,H llilllliliilliflflflillllflilfllllllllillllllllllIllllllllllilillIMIINIMMMWHMWMMMWWWMHIM'lliWMMIMIIMMMMWIWNMWIWWWMHMV lllllllliiiilllllllliiillliliilll This Week’s Tested Recipe Boston Roast 2 cups dry kidney beans 1 cup bread crumbs, 2 cups grated cheese 3 teaspoons salt, 1-2 cup liquid, 1 tablespoon chopped onion. Soak beans 24 hours. Cook in salted water until soft. Drain! put through food chopper,.add onion, cheese. crumbs, more salt if needed. enough of the water"in which beans were cooked (about 1-2 cup to moisten). Form into loaf. Bake in moderate oven for 40 min- utes. Baste occasionally with hot water and fat. Yield: 10 servings. ,llll It nwu‘Nllli'n lttltll HIIIHNIIlIlliillliilIll1|illii|llllliililliilllillillllililliiiiilliiilllllfi 5'52 A City Girl Who Married a Farmer Dear Mrs. Stark:— On the subject “Should a girl from the coun- try marry a farmer,” about which you wrote me. I can only give you the benefit of my experience. All I know is What my life has been. All I can judge from is the misery my own choice brought me. You may publish this if you like, but of course, I do not want you to use my name. or town, )I‘ state. I have kept my feelings to myself all these years. and naturally don‘t want anybody to know now. Fifteen years ago I was as frivolous and light hearted a girl as you could imagine. I worked in a large department store. with a lot of other girls as filled with joy of living and with the happi- ness which merely being young brings. as I was myself. I loved to dance. to go to the theater, and all the pleasures which the city affords. At noon i liked to walk about and look in the windows, and eat my luncheon in some little place with some of the other girls. 01' we would lunch in the big department store lunch room, and fill the air with gay chatter. I lived at home. and every cent I made I could spend for clothes and for pleasure. My mother was one of these kindly mistaken wo- men who bring their children up without any sense of responsibility. I was never taught to Iven keep my own room in order. and never wash- ed a dish before I was married. If I threw some— ‘hing down, there was always mother or two older sisters to pick up after me. family, and wouldn't have had to work only that I found it too dull at home. and liked the ride down—town every day, the companionship of the other girls. I' loved my work. too. I was in the : 1 "rt department, and grew to know and love all i". ' the good pictures. I One afternoon, a tall. good-looking chap came up into my department, and wanted to buy a picture to take home to his mother. He was very friendly and got to chatting. lie said he was in the city on business: was selling some cattle, I believe he said. He wanted a picture an old lady would like. lie lived on a big farm. he told me. I helped him :‘clect a, picture which I believed would please his mother. and he left, and I thought no more about him. That night, as I was leaving the store, I met him accidentally. He smiled and bowed, and I bowed, too. The next night it was the same thing: and he spoke to me. I have thought since that, farmer boys have the reputation of being bashful but he certainly was not. He walked on with me a piece. and said his business was almost tran- sacted. that he was certainly lonesome, and I, out of the kindness of my heart, after he had told me his name, and apologized for his boldness for talk- ing with me. inVited him up to meet my family, and have a homev evening. as it was one of his last. He said he had always heard that city folks were lacking in hospitality. and that, he certainly was glad he had met someone like me. He said he would accept, the invitation. He said he had wanted to talk to me. and in the country anybody meeting anybody else along the road always said “Howdy" to them, and gaVe them a lift. This seemed strange to me. who had always been warn- ed not to talk to anyone on the street. Well, my folks liked him, and he postponed his return for several days. while we did the theaters together. and he made, his acquaintance with res- taurants and other city attractions. When he re— turned, hc wrote me. and the correspondence kept up for a year. Then in his letters he told me that he had,fallen in love with me at first sight, that he to come and see me again. Flattered, I 'llillliiiliill Illlillillllllliillllllllillllillillfllilllll llillillHillillilllllliliillllllllilllilillllr lllllfi l'1iI?iliillllillil'iliilililliilll'ililllili‘lilliiillllliliiilllllli' Illillillilliiliiliill 11m . :2. _-vr::.~.-‘AH«-ail= =lt= >X< do you think about this subject, dear Do you know any one who has had a like experience? Last week, one of our clan told us about her happy married life, so different from Mrs. L.’s. Are you inclined to think that hap piness comes from within, and some folks will be discontented with heaven? Don’t you sometimes believe that a contented heart can be cultivated? I would like to hear from other city girls who have married farmers. Their experience will be inter esting and helpful to all of us, particularly to our younger readers who may be contemplating a similar step. Your names will be kept absolutely confidential. Address, Mrs. Anne Campbell Stark, Editor Home Department, MICHIGAN BI‘SINESS FARMING. Mount Clemens, Michigan. What folks? liliillllllllillllllili Iliilu and if she_ “mild .1millIllililI.Eiil.ElliililliliililillliillI’itill|lllillllillil[l|illllllillllllillilllliiillllllllil.‘lllllliIlllllllllllllllIllillIlll.llIllllHl'.lllilllillll|lllllllililllililllillllllIilllllllilllllillIlllilillllilllliilllllmmmu u-lllliltlhi ...I| wilillil‘lh. ”millionth .I.itI'lulllIlillllitlllllliimItit.It[tilliltililotlllhlimil11h: Iii,"‘,liiliii ‘ a. a, air. ”‘MaiilegsyrupMakérs ‘ You get'hest Results with out Champion Evaporator \ " inick work, fuel lev- ing, durability and BEST QUALITY or SYRUP Write us for CATALOG Champion Evaporator Company ' - 'iiumber 0 trees you up Hudson, Ohio Driver Agents Wanted trate the Bush Cor. any for it out of 31'.“er wfigognawu. Hy ueutemmaking money. Ship- -Peee..34.1 II. P- n I . eedy m / H -In Wheelb- Delco tunings-Elect. Ste. ‘ Ln. Bill]! 110103 WIPAIY. In. ,Champion 140 - Egg $8395, Belle City incubator Hot Water—Copper Tank—Double Walls of Fibre . . Board—Self Regulated. With ~ ' $5.25 Hot Water l40-Chick " det ay Free Bo k "Hatchin Facts". fBil-“351:! all Jll’: lichen, Ir‘i'es.g _ Tent Belle City Incubator (30., Box 30 Racine, Wis. Est. 1853 Capital $600,000.00 Inc. 1889 Highest Prices Paid For RAW'FURS Write for For List and Book on Successlul T re 9 pin : TRAUGOTT SCHMIDT & SONS 136-164 Monroe Ave. Detroit. Mich. Co-operative Buying agency: Sa‘,es Money. Reggfif‘: carlot quotations GRAIN GROWERS GRAIN C0. Minneapolis, Minn llllll iI'lHI!ll‘llllll|lllllllllililllllllllllllllll "- wml w “" HIM. :vm‘m l. '1 ‘msw n [lllllllillllllilhllv v I zillllllllmum n lllllllllllllll‘.’lll.‘Il!llll|.|iiillllllllllllllllll llllli lull i:.l.’l‘ll'll“ l Up-To-Date Fashions Made of plaid material with plaii sleeves and collar, the long waisted a: dress numbered 8572 would be be, ' coming to almost any child. It ('oiilcs in sizes 6, 8, 10, 1:3 and 14 years The dress is to be slipped on over the head and the neck may be ('11 round or square. The skirt may be side plaited or gathered. N0. 8603 gives the long lines which are so essential to the good figure The novelty of this little dress is ill( 'enter back closing and the two—piece ; skirt with side draperies stitched to he waist. This comes in sizes 36, 28, 40 and 42 inches bust measure. Anyone who has shopped around or a coat this year knows that it ,ays to oil up the sewing machine and titch away, instead of putting a 10; of money in a ready made garment, The girl’s coat numbered 8565 has a new and very practical collar. It is called the submarine collar, and can be arranged so that the tab ends cross and button. Some of the most expensive ready made coats are made With this style collar. It comes in sizes 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years. These patterns are only ten cents each. Send orders to Pattern De— partment, Michigan Business Farm- in-:. Mt. Clemens, Mich. Ulti‘l. i ‘Nl‘l-‘lld‘lllllll 1') ll‘llllillll‘li lllllllllllllllllilliUHllllllllllllllllllllllllllllullllllllllflllli l WUWWUIIIHHHHHllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll|lllllll|lllllllllllllllllllllllIi—‘c .. 5,» _\ -1‘.-__; 1116535 ‘ '4‘» ‘ a3"; ‘- \ -- .\>._fi;‘5 ' a. ’ ”.401. km Cliforge Kniesel of Ogden recently sold. a. olstein bull to the Co-operative Co. which weighed 1950 pounds—Blissfield Advance. It is said the Wayland condensary will pay their patrons one dollar less per hundred weight for milk hereafter, ow— ing to a new government regulation—— Hastings Journal-Herald. Walters Bros, meat dealers at this place had a. fine beef hanging in their market for the Christmas trade. The animal weighed about 1200 and dressed over 700 pounds.—-Belleville Enterprise. A number of the farmers in this vi— cinity are thinking strongly of raising sorgum the coming year and plans are being made for a mill to be located near the village for making molasses.——Belle- ville Enterprise. Several Negaunee farmers have been bringing wheat to the Cloverland mills for custom milling. One of them tells the Mining Journal of the value. to the farmer of such a plant. He estimates that besides his labor, flour costs him $3 a barrel—Gladstone Delta. We believe that E. L. Osterhout of Ferris township is the champion hog raiser of this section. He claims to have killed an 18 months old hog which dress- ed 540 pounds—Gratiot County Herald. Jack Burns of Emmet brought to the Commercial Milling company, two loads of beans, in payment for which he re- ceived something over $1,085. He also sold the milling company 1.100 bushels of oats and 300 bushels of rye to be de- livered later.———Lenox Standard.-Mem- phis Bee. A lady in Cassopolis bought a load of wood, four cords of stove wood, paying therefor $12. A few years ago such a load of wood could have been bought for the cost of cutting, 50¢ a. cord, and the cost of hauling, 50c a cord, or $4 for the load. The cost of cutting is more than twice as much. Joseph Lybrook. two miles north of Cassopolis, has been advertising for wood choppers for $1.25 a. cord for a month, and has only succeed- ed in getting two, and all the time it is a cold day when you can not find from I‘Illllllllllillllllllllllll lllllllll Enclosed find renewal for Michigan Business Farming, the best paper for the farmer, be he great or small, amateur, practical, scientific, or just plain barn- yard variety! Because it safely guards his interests, tells him what he should get for his products and isn't afraid to tell him why. May its shadow never grow less—M. L. Cummings, Mecosta county. Please find enclosed $1 for the Michigan Business Farming. I like the paper fine. Best farmer’s paper ever priiited.-Mark E. Worden, Montcalm county. I have you one more signer for your paper. Will do more if I can for it is what we need, a paper we can depend upon.~F. S. McConnell, VanBuren Co. I am sending in a few names, for which send the Michigan Business Farming. It is the best farm paper I ever read and if there were a few more papers similar to it to show up those sharks and polit— ical crooks it would be a good thing—l. E. Stevenson, St. Clair county. I enclose you list of papers I take: Detroit Free Press, daily, Michigan Far- mer, Michigan Business Farming, l’ath— finder. Saturday Evening Post, ifl‘kil‘lll Journal, So. Lyon Herald, Review of Re- views, and one or two others, the names have gone from me, but I get more state news from your paper than all the rest. Perhaps because 1 read it more—T. E. Johns, Oakland county. I am well pleased with the paper. If I had taken it a year ago and listened to it, would have saved me $300 on beans. MW. F. Litchficld. Eaton county. Don't want to be without the Michigan Business Farming. Depend upon the markets in this paper.~/\lbcrt Badour, Montcalm county. God bless your—R. W. I-Ielmboldt, Osce- ola county. Thanking you for giving me the priv- ilege of subscribing for your paper. Ella E. Kelly, VVashtenaw county. I shall watch for my paper every week. It's certainly what farmers want.~Ar— thru Brounley, Arenac county. It is the finest market paper in the world.~I. C. Cole, Alpena County. Enclosed you will find three signers for Michigan Business Farming. I think more of them would take your paper if they saw it. Will try and get more Signers.——Clarence Doolittle, Montcalm county. Mlllllllllllllllll!ll|lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll What the Neighbors SaynAbout M. B. F. -fifteen to twenty loafeds in the pool rooms complaining of hard times. The cost of hauling has more than doubled, and the timber must be paid for instead of being given away. At this price coal is the cheaper fuel, but it is hard to get.— Gratiot County Herald. The Union (Io—operative Stock Ship— ping association of Shiawassee and Clinton counties has shipped since Nov. 1 the following stock: 99 cattle, 1217 hogs, 1366 sheep and lambs, 1,06 veals. Total number of pounds 307,620, amount— ‘ ing to $55 280.38. The largest shipment was made on Tuesday, Nov. 27 and con- sisted of 40 cattle. 41,5 hogs, 359 sheep and lambs and 25 veal calves. Total weight, 121,830 pounds, for which acheck of $16.712.50 was received. Lamsburg News. Horatio Brain of Germfask, has in- vented a new stunt to beat the high cost of living and help out the food situation at the same time. He proposes to plant sugar beets, milk weed and strawberries in alternate rows when they will become mixed and one can gather well sweetened strawberries and cram to his hearts con- tent. Anyone having any better sug— gestion is invited to send it in.——l\lams— tique Pioneer—Tribune. The elevators at Watcrtown, Marlolie and Brown City are filled to capacity and can handle no more grain until cars can be secured to ship some of the stock. on hands—Lexington News. Several of the farmers who ha vo wood are asking $5 and $6 per cord for it. One load thrown loosely on the wagon sold for $7.—Fenton Independent. TIarry Franklin sold one spring lamb that brought him $23.60. Len Attridge sold a hog the week before that brought him $77.25.——~Br0wn City Banner. Mr. Briggs sold three hogs last week that netted him $158.#—Charlo‘tte Re— publican. When it comes to raising hogs, hats off to George Geiger. One he osld to L. W. Longwell weighed 670 pounds and brought $93. Those five of ours four months old, weighing 150 pounds apiece, will compare favorably with the most of them. South Lyon Herald. ...... millll‘lllllill "L uumu ..... om il‘lllI'Wlllll‘l'Illl . i am enclosing one dollar to pay my subscription to Michigan Business Farm- ing. I think it the best farm paper that ever came into my house. I appreciate very much the way you are campaign— ing the farmer's cause. With best wish- es for your succc.‘s.———H. W. Cochran, Montcalm county. ~ Renewal. Fine paper. The only paper for a farmer. Send it along. (lot them all bcat.—~liugh Unwiii, Saginaw county. I have been getting your valuable pa- per since you. started to print it and I find that it hits the spot every time.— James Fenlon, Cheboygan county. Saw a copy of Oct. 13, 1917, and it’s just my style. Go to it !——Castle-Cliff Poultry farnr lierrien county. I certainly think your paper an inval— uable aid to the farmer and hope you have the success you deservewaamcs ll. Elk— ins, Mecosta county. Farm Book Tells How! _f FREE Most amazingfiarm book ever written. orth hun- dreds of dollars to any farmer. Explains wonder- ful discovery— ‘The Qampz ‘ bell System of Breeding Big . Crops!" Your Wheat, Oats. Com, Tim- othy. Clover and other figs): increased 20 ercentln e elude season! .000 farmers use this easy way. Send postal at once for Free Book. CHATHAM SEED GRADEB AND CLEANER . Also t facts about thil wonderful Gee Power or Band Mach ne.’l’he Chathem Seed Grader-end Cleaner. Cleene. den, seventies and neck: enly grain eee l A eeedl or. renkeet mixtureel A Take: out all duel: e d Meneon Cempboll A Son. 00.. Dept 248 Detroit. Mlohu Dept. 248 Keneee cm De; 248 Minneapoli- l)car friends ill the Michigan jusincss Farming oilico: . Here is my dollar for 4 my paper. a trifle late. for which I am , sorry. I am a farmer though do no! ; Work for myself. M. ii. li‘. is ful‘ of in« formation that I think every [armor should know. It is the best farm paper 1 ever read. I take iill't‘i) but 1 am going to drop the other two. They are good, but Michigan Business li‘arming is “good- est,” as the kids sziysfilmouard Daniels, Van Buren county. Enclosed is my dollar for your paper for one year, it is worth many times the price to me. l certainly appreciate the work you are doing in behalf of the farmers of Michigan.~(llifford liang~ well, liram'li «minty I am with you. The paper is fine. Send . it right along. \Vill do all 1 can for you. The farim-rs need all they can get. but it it hard for us to get it :li‘niznd here—Allen .1. Mains, Calhoun county. I found the envelope in my issue. \rVill I use it‘.’ Yes. just as quick ‘as i get my milk check, the 20th, I will send you the dollar I promised to pay this fall, altho I haven’t sold my crops yet, but your paper is too valuable to neglect that long. Don‘t miss me. for your paper is too good to be witlmut.~—VV. A. Korndorf— er, Livingston county. I like the Michigan Business Farming just fine. I think it is the best farm pa- per I ever read—Leslie V. Derhammer, Calhoun county. You bet I want it. Just the paper the farmer needs—Frank Lay, Clare county. Seed Book 1 and Packet Flower Seed FREE OR 30 years I have sold reliable seede. Thousands of customers testify to this. My seeds not only grow, but produce big yields. They must make good or I will. 31st annual catalog now ready. Write for copy. Lists All Kinds of Farm Garden and Flower Seeds The best arranged, most comprehensive and easiest catalog to order from ever issued. A few specialties are: Certified Seed Potatoes Wisconsin Grown Seed Corn Pedigroed Out. and Barley Wheat. Speltz, Rye, Buckwheat Northern Clover and Allalfa Tested Garden and Flower Seeds Send postal today. Mention this pa- per. Will include packetflowerseeds. 1.. L. OLDS SEED COMPANY Drawer 72 MADISON. WIS. of Poultry Raising—F REE Send Johnson your name .and get the bed- lrock facts on . . . making prof- ] its w1th chickens. Learn how John- son started 750,000 people the sim- plest and easuest way with om TRUSTV Big production makes low price. And Johnson pays freight or express. Quick shipment - safe arrival . guaranteed.0ur book tells“ - . all about it. Write today l 1- " ’1‘ for copy. Address Me. Your NJ. M. JOHNSON CO. Poultry , Clay Center, Nob. Troubles Weather Don’t Wear a Truss BROOKS’ APPLIANCE. the modern scientific invention,thewonderful new discovery that re- lieves rupture will be. sent on trial. N0 ob- noxious springs or pads. Has automatic Air Cushions. Binds and draws the broken puns together as you would a broken limb. No salves. No lies. Durable. chomp. Sent on trial to prove it. Protected by U. S. pat- ems. Catalogue and meas- ure blanku mailed free. Send name and address today. 1:. E. BROOKS, 463 State Street, Marshall. Mich. Enlist Now in Our Army of Regular Shippers . G RAW PURS’ O BEHR’BIi’o‘s‘ciésiav Grind Your Feed Fill Your Silo Saw Your Wood Shell Your Corn PumpYour Water Elevate Your Grain And to do a!’ the other power jobs on the farm, up to 12 or 14 h. p. The Ward Work-a-Ford is the most wonderful invention ever made for farmers who own Ford Cars. It makes it possible, at a slight expense, for you to have a 12 h.p. Portable Engine, that can go everywhere a Ford can go, and that can do anything that any 12 h. p. stationary engine can do. No Wear on Tires or Transmission The Ward Work-a-Ford takes the power direct from the engine by an extension of the crank shaft. Runs engme only, conse- quently does not wear transmissmn nor tires. Full power of engine goes direct to belt. Hard. Work-a-l' g 13d , . :GivesYou‘aIZ .H ENG! NE For Less Than the Co st of a’2HR No longer is it necessary to pay $300 or $400 for a heavy stationary engine to do the big jobs. Ford builds the best engine in the world —— it will outlast the car —— and you might just as well save your money and use your Ford engine to do your farm work, now that Ward has made it possible. Hook It Up in 3 Minutes Just drive your Ford up to the .Ward Work-a-Ford. Takes only three minutes to couple up. F lex1ble coupling takes care of any in- accurate alignment or Vibration. N 0 Change in Appearance of Car No permanent attachment to car. No permanent change in crank shaft. Instantly ready—take out one pin, remove starting crank, slip steel coupling we furnish over end of engine crank shaft—and you are ready for a day’s work. Easily adapted to other makes of cars. No Wear—No Pull—No Strain on Car Jack is staked to ground—not fastened to your F ord—and it absorbs all vibration and strain of power transmission. No strain on the car and it cannot injure the car in any way. Friction Clutch Pulley on end of shaft makes it unnecessary to stop and start engine every time you Want to stop your machine. Ward Governor, run by fair belt, gives perfect control of engine. 4 ‘ These Farmers Use Ward Workaa-Fords o Read What They Say: . J. A. Wentworth, R. R. 2, Missouri Valley, Iowa, writes: “Your Work-a-Ford gives all the power needed for the average farm work.” John J. Majerus. Falls City, Nebr., writes: “I like the Work-a-Ford just fine. Ground corn and oats all afternoon and never had any trouble.” G. M. Bun-ill, Putnam, Conn, writes: “My Work-a.Ford does the work all right.’_’ F. A. Curry, R, R. l, Tuscumbia, Mo., writes: "My Work-a-Ford is a dandy. 6' Can highly recommend it to anyone." Ray L. Sisler, Grand Rapids, Minn., writes: . 0‘ “I have used. the Ward Work3a-Ford to do all kinds of work requiring a heavy duty CI § 0' gasoline engine, and I found it entirely satisfactory. We filled our silo and also a é "5 ()0 neighbor’s, running steadily all day for four days straight, and it worked fine.” ' ‘ (3:? c} flee . 1 0 Days’ FREE TRIAL [any You can try it ten days on your farm and satisfy your- " f» it? self. It will cost you nothing if not entirely satisfied, and O 629730§§ we pay return charges. No obligation whatever and no 93% 25‘ “6" risk. You are the judge. o ‘19 69000 Send Coupon for Special Offer We shall make a special introductory price to one farmer in each neighborhood who will show it to his neighbors and lhelp us advertise it. Send for description, specxal offer. etc. WARD TRACTOR C0. 2066 N. Street, Lincoln, Nebr.