The Dawson journal., 1883-09-06
The Future of Me,on-Growing.
Atlanta Constitution.

The results of the shipments OF
watermelons from Georgia to west
ern, northern and eastern markets
have been decidedly satisfactory,
taking into consideration the many
obstacles and drawbacks that both
shippers and commission merchants
have been compelled to overcome.
In the first place, the facilities
of the railroads were scarcely equal
to the extraordinary demand made
upon them. They did the best they
could, and this "best" is entitled to
all the praise that the Constitution
has given it. It was the "best"
of men of energy and enterpris
There was no lack of transportation,
but the character of it can be vast
ly improved upon, as the railroad
managers have no doubt discover
ed.
The season has been in the nature
OF training to watermelon growers,
and hereafter they will know exactly
how to handle their products SO as
to get the most out of them. Many
shippers in the early part of the
season injured themselves and their
neighbors by forwarding unripe
fruit to market in order to take ad-
vantage of the high prices. Moth
ing could be more foolish than this,
for if the watermelon traffic. is to be
established on basis of permanancy
far dealing all around is an abso-
lutte necessity. But whatever mis-
takes have been made can be easily |
remedied, and in view of all the CIR
cumstances the growers are to be
congratulated upon the prospect and
possibilities based on actual expert
ence.
But there is one fact that cannot |
be too often alluded to nor too siren |
uously insisted upon-namely, that |
the future of watermelon-growing |
in Georgia depends almost wholly |
upon the railroads. Now, the ques-
tion is, shall the roads foster and |
encourage traffic that keeps their
rolling stock busy at very dull sea
son of the year, or will they crush |
out the new business by excessive
freight charges-such charges, for |
instance, as hav preailed during
the present season? 1t is easy to |
see that there is money in Georgia |
watermelons for growers as well as
the railroads. This fact has been
abundantly demonstrated during
the present season.
1t has also been abundantly de- |
monstrated that the excessive rates
which the roads have charged leaves
little out of the average prices to go
to the grower. The rates upon a
car load of melons to the western
markets have ranged from S75 to
STA, and the lowest figure is far
too high.
Such rates as these will kill the
goose that lays the golden egg, even
before the accommodating bird has
been allowed to demonstrate her
capacity. If these rates are to con-
time, it may be set down as afact
that the shipment of melons to the
west will not be continued.
There is no reason why more than
forty dollars a car should be charged
for the transportation of melons.
Even this rate could be reduced con
siderbly to the roads. They could
afford, indeed, in order to encour-
age UNDERSTANDING and mclon-grow
ing to haul at half rates, and they
would be greatly the gamers by
such course,
We have no doubt the managers
of the roads can be brought to see
that their rates are too high. They
are men of more than ordinary en-
ergy and business foresight, and
they do not need to be told that
they now have in their power to
build up a branch OF agriculture in
Georgia that will in time, give them
millions of dollars in ireights and
profits. Indeed, the roads should
not only reduce their rates on mel
ons, but they should improve their
facilities. They should have prop
erly ventilated cars, and instead OF
piling the melons on top of each
other, they should be placed side
by side in low compartments. This
sort Of handling would not only in
sure careful delivery to market, but
would enhance the price and helr
everybody concerned. In matter,