Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-26
Matter for the Consideration OF
Truck Farmers.

Truck Farmers.
Editor Morning Nelos: Copies of a
circular showing how the truck farmers
Of this section are fieeced by middlemen
we're sent to some % ormore Of our active
farmers controlling from 80 to 100 acres
each-such gentlemen as Messrs.
schley, McAlpin, Ryals, Exleys and others.
This intelligent body of men, including
Yourself, ought to be in a position to sug-
gest d scheme to get ahead Of our North
ern sharpers. 1t appears to me that some
responsible party placed under bond to
dispose of goods, or arrange with two or
three active or responsible commission
men would break up the petty gang OF un-
reliable mlddlemen that travel around
and solicit business every season. The
association could arrange for the benefit
Of all. 1T could arrange likewise in the
large localities for the handling OF
our produce. With respect 10 this West
ern business could we not arrange with
one Of the railroads for a through and
fast schedule, and also for cars? The
carrying of truck is paying business for
TWO or three months in the summer, and
then comes the melon crop. BY dividing
the business East and West there would
Louisville, Cincinnati, Nashville and ST.
LOUIS get their stuff from Florida, New
Orleans, Mobile and stations on the Hi
ros Central railroad and Mobile and
Ohio railroad.
There should be a chance for US, and
think we can get to market earlier than
we do. We are about $50 miles nearer the
great markets than New Orleans and
Mobile are, so it will be seen distance and
time are in our favor. l only hope our
farmers will put their shoulders to the
wheel and push through to success. OF
course one cannot do much by himself
unless he can get assistance, but if we
work altogether we can do great deal.
FARMER.
The foregoing letter and the circular to
which il alludes we received some weeks
ago, and was laid aside and overlooked.
The subject, however, is one of import
ance TO the truck farmers of this section,
and it is neither too soon nor too late to
set about the work of providing remedy
FOR the evils complained Of.
II our truck farmers are to prosper,
furnish freight for the railroads and food
Tor the Northern markets, arrangements
must be made to ship their produce at the
lowest possible figures-to ship promptly
al the right time, and to protect the trade
against the swindling operations Of sharp
ers. Farmer" is right. The intelligent
men engaged in truck farming about Sa-
Vannah, aided by an active, intelligent
press, should be able to suggest some
plan to circumVent the sharpers, and
agree with the transportation lines upon
AVing rates Of freight.
The plan suggested seems to US the
most practicable. Ithas been adopted with
success in other communities and we see
no reason why it should not answer the
same purpose for the region of Savannah.
AS point Of economy several communi-
ues could fix upon common agent TO
represent them in the markets during the
snpping season; but this agent should be
"a she field Of his labors and have his ar
iahgements complete long before ship
Ments begin. 1t is probable that a small
PER cent. Of the losses sustained under
las present disoreanized state OF the
1doe would pay all his expenses, while
als active, intelligent operations, posted
uAiiy or weekly to his patrons, would
ui'tigate the anxiety which must ever
accompany ventures OF uncertainty.
But 10 the letter.