LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS FIGURE PAGE 1. LOCATION OF ALL COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS (1917)... 23 2. NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS BY CLASS (1917).. 24 16. DID IT PAY TO POOL WOOL IN 1921?... 177 230 CHAPTER ONE Mr. Farmer Gets Together Some years ago there was a wreck on an Iron Mountain train down in the Missouri Ozarks. A boulder dislodged itself from a hillside and crashed down upon the train. A farmer who was comfortably seated in the day coach suddenly found himself with his head jammed through the cushioned seat in front. He commenced to pray, and in a loud, excitable tone called upon the Almighty for help. A fat lady, who had been thrown to the aisle, arose with some difficulty. Her eye chanced upon the pilloried farmer. "Huh!" she snorted, "why don't you try helping yourself? Th' Almighty's too durned busy to waste time on th' likes of you!" At the risk of spoiling a good story, but for a purpose, we will add that the farmer extricated himself without difficulty, none the worse for his experience. For some years, in fact for decades, the American farmer has been in a position similar to the good Missourian. He has been calling for help; and his appeals have fallen on unresponsive ears. |