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CAPE MAY COUNTY TIMES, SEA

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ISLE CITT. N,

OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRKUITURE ABOUND IN CAPE MAV COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES IN CAPE l|AAY COUNTY’S SOIL AS YET NOT FULLY REALIZED; CLIMATIC CONDITIONS .4ND SOIL IDEAL; NEW COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT EXPLAINED BY FARM DEJ/ONSTRATOR. J. ARCHER STACKHOUSE, WHO OUTLINES RESULTS TO DATE.

United We Advance; Divided, We Stand. There U a well known lable of a dying man. who, calling his seven sons to him, handed them a bundle ol sticks bidding them break it. All struggled with the bundle, being slal wart lads and proud ot their strength But each was unable to break iL At 2asL the man untied the bundle and, giving each son a stick, bade them try again. Every stick was easily broken. "My aons,” said the old man, "remember this lesson. Your weaknes.lies in separation. Stand together il you would be strong." Farmers, who regard increased pro duction a* the "Balm of All Evils” and strive continually to make up b> ludi vidual ellori, what they have lost b> that process, are meeUng the problems ol the farmer of to-day after the manner of the individual sticks ol the fable. "increase production" is not the proper slogan for the Cape May County farmer, it should deal rather with co-operation and the cost ol producuon and elimination of crops which cannot be produced here on an economically sound business basis. On the other hand, larmers with vision see that the big business methods, which are carried on in every other enterprise, must be applied to agriculture. They are setting the pace with which every farmer must compete or get out ol the race. The question ailsing is: "Can we successfully cope with our problems ol to-day”, or "can we even get a bearing before those enterprises with which we have to dealt" The consensus of opinion among larmers is that agricultural progress in Cape May County must cornithrough united effort and not through Individual prowess. And the farmer will always be as the breakable twig until he binds himself with others and has faith in the Idea that there is strength in numbers. Opportunities Abound. Opportunities In agriculture abound in Cape May County For Instance, climatic conditions cannot be. excelled along the Atlantic Coast. There is not an easier or more responsive eon

to work in many slates. Vegetables, field crops and fruits of all kinds are known to do as well here as in any part of New Jersey. That is saying a great deal when we remember that New Jersey is the "Ga'den State". In th* King crab fisheries on the bay shore, lies the opportunity of securing one of the most essential fertilizing elements (Nitrogen) for plant growth. The fisheries of the Ocean side of the county offer nitrogen to a less degree from their wastage. Railroads, waterways and good roads furnish means of transportation equal to any in the state. We are. It is true, firther from big markets than are some counties but we are nearer to New York and Philadelphia than an- the growers of California and Oregon. who successfully use these markets. We have also, splendid seashore markets. In addition are many other advantages which point toward progress such as excellent schools, churches, etc. And for those who love ont-door sports then- could be found few places equal his—where the other advantages are the same. Considering these opportunities from the viewpoint of a home seeker, whose busines* is fanning. one could scarcely find a better place than Cape May County. Co-operation Needed. But full realization of all these advantages cannot be had without cooperation. One of the most important points upon which they must cooperate Is the lengthening of the marketing season. Until Cape May County summer resorts become popular also as winter resorts. Lie farmer must seek an outside market in addition to a short summer b-tainesa. x This outside market, aside from furnishing additional revenne, would lend to solve the help problem by creating a longer working season. The crops shipped to the market should possess the following qualities: 1. Marketing season over before shore market opens. 2. Must be suitable to Cape May; County so 11 and climate.

8. Should furnish considerable valne In small bulk ’in order that freight rates do not eat up profits. Several of our leading farmer* fsvor asparagus aa possessing the shove qualifications. Many farmers follow up the summer crops with Isle crops such as com, potatoes, etc. In some such manner, the money-making season will be lengthened by several months. Inasmuch as the majority of Cape May County fanners are working small farms, a cooperative system is Imperative In order that sufficient acreage be planted to warrant shipping in carload lots Cooperation will o?en many avenues hitherto unthoughl of. Benefits will be derived for communities as well as Individuals.

D. Howell has given mneb of his time to this and other community problems and success is attending every collec-

tive operation of this kind.

Mr. W. S. Thompson, of Goshen, ha* been instrumental In introducing ground oyster shell as a lime for his community and more than two car-

loads will be used this year.

Mr. Joseph H. Cobe-i. of Woodbine, has taken order* for nearly 10,000 apple and peach trees. This has meant much work for him, but as chairman of the Agricultural Committee he Is willing' to make some sacrifices for his community and like all other men who se the value of co-operation he Is ^ble ) see that in "hanging together" there 111 be no need to "hang separately." His own order of trees will be less expensive and be more likely to be of

COUNTY’S GRANGES HELP DEVELOP FARM SOCiAl 11EE FARM LIFE MADE MORE ENJOYABLE AND PROFITABLE THROUGH ACTIVE WORK OF COUNTY’S SEVEN GRANGES. AND POMONA, OR MOTHER, GRANGE; NEARLY ALL RURAL RESIDENTS AND

MANY FROM RESORTS ARE MEMBERS.

For Instance. Belleplaln farmerc under the able leadership of A. B. Fanre and T. J. Dnrel), who are both active members of the Community Committee. have been able to secure the pledge of 17 acres of peppers to be ■hipped in car lots from the Belleplaln district. Eighty-five thousand plants have been contracted for and every preparation Is being made to carry qut this cooperative shipping project through the Belleplaln Cooperative Association. This association now incorporated and doing business In purchasing spraying materials, lime and fertilisers Is proposing to further help the fanners in the purchase of covercrop seed for the summer and fall of 1819 Another Instance of cooperation is that of the Dias Creek farmers buying their fertilizers and lime through the Grange located there. Mr. A. T.

better stock. After many communities get Into the way of cooperation the process of making the organization effective has only begun. For where would be the gain if the Dias Creek Community bids against the Belleplaln Community. It will readily be seen that the fat mere will not get the most ou co-operation until some organization la perfected which will have insight to the major part of the farmers’ needs In an entire county. Thus it becomes evident that the work of the County Board of Agriculture under the lead ersbip of Mr. Joseph Camp, and the County Grange, under the leadership of Mr. George Sayres, is becoming more and more necessary and nearer and nearer their greatest service when the individnal units of each become more perfected.

•When Adam delved snd Eve span Who was then the gentleman”? Among the great lessons of the war. none Is more important than the establishment of the perspective of the farm. * The slogan, "back to the farm", was sounded before the war to try and stem the great tide cityward. It was not over and above popular. The "bayseed" was a target for the hoodlums of the city, the "son of the soil” he Is now. Just notice how few are the Rube" Jokes. "Pood will win the war" has dignified the ’’Rube", for, when a city man plants a cup of corn In a post hole without fertilizer and looks in vain for a crop of succulent ears for his table, he has a deep and abiding sense of values and a deeper tnd more abiding respect for the "k.'ow how" of the farmer. It .’s Just thirty years since the first secretary of Agriculture, Norman J. Colmai. of Missouri, took his seat in the Cabinet. Five Commissioners, of which he was the fifth, had preceded the Secretary of Agriculture. The Grange was the natural outcome of a wider intelll^nce among the farmers, thoughtful men saw that the social side of life needed developing in the rural communities. Pomona Grange. Organized Nov. 29, 1907, at Dias Creek, by County Deputy A. D. T. Howells, with 72 members. Is the Cape May County branch of the New Jersey

Grange.

Its fundamental principles are “the promotion of Agriculture and Education." Its progress has been along these lines without variableness shadow of turning. Meeilngs are held quarterly, the April meeting being scheduled, for South Seavllle this ning, April 18tb. The summer meet-

ing is a moveable feast, and takes the form of a picnic. Sea Isle City. Araand Stone Harbor have been hosti In recent years. Then It is. the farmers’ wives and daughters put on their prettiest white dresses, the fanners' sons polish up the automobile, neighbors unite and trim up a big truck and everyone makes s grand holiday festival. This annual midsummer gathering comes between crops and depends on the season’s being early or

te.

The January meeting and the October meeting are not one whit behind the picnic In point of interest and good things to eaL The chichen Pot Pie of Goshen and the harvest home of Dias Creek have gone down In the history of the grange as South.Seavllle will to-night. The County Deputy of 1907 la the state lecturer of 1919. Mr. A. D. T. Howell, of the Cape May Grange. The officer* of Pomona Grange are. Master—George Sa>re, South Seaville. Overseer—Truman Hickman, Dlaa Creek. Steward—G. B. Taylor, Cold Spring. Assistant Steward—Ralph ScheUinger. Cape May. Chaplin—J. O. Corson, Cold Spring. Gate Keeper—Angus Morris, Cold Spring. Treasurer—S. E. Herbert, Stone Harbor. ^ Secretary—Mrs. Osee 8. Herbert, Stone Harbor. Ceres—Mrs. Emma Yerkes, Tucka-

oe.

Flora—Mrs. Minnie Madara, Tuckahoe. Pomona—Mrs. Mary Rtoley, S'one Harbor. Lady Assistant Steward—Miss Lucy Hildreth, Rio Grande. There are seven granges In Cape May County: Cape May. Cold Spring, Dias Creek, Rio Grande. South Seavllle. Stone Harbor. Tuckahoe.

An up to date transportation service is one of the greatest assets of any community. The Shore Fast Line furnishes such a service, all the year round, between Ocean City, Atlantic City and intermediate points.

Every Cape May County Fanner

should own a

AKE HE ROLLEY

Knickerbocker Forma-Tractor BECAUSE— Il will do everything a S1200 to S1590 Tractor will do— yes, even more! Your regular Ford fa convertible into a tractor. Back again to a Ford m 20 minutes.

MANY USES

The plowing average of Big acres a day fa only one of the many things It is used for throughout the county Som!

uses are—

HAULING. MANURE SPREADING v MOWING ON SOFT MEADOW ROAD SCRAPING, ETC. POWERFUL It has the pull of from 4 to 6 homes and wUI not coat the up keep of one |_,r of homes per day-, worked. *300 Think of It! Only *300 invested in vo,„ h— ^ f “ <i '»W *'*"» "«tworkig r ^™iwS ,p .n WORTH OF 11 of hl *™ >*>"» ™c driver when using "‘ >r,h PoTeI “SSEK’r, fall™' 'fMV- *■*" single thing on your ear Writ* for descriptive Citeular or have us coll. Pierpont & Brown

Bell. 453-W

City Hall Block

WILDWOOD. NEW JERSEY.

Keystone, 36