Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-08-03
ROCKY FORD
MELON GROWERS
Fail to Amend the yLaws, but Have an Instructive
Meeting.

year even il they have to take
little less than this year. In an
swer to question as to the price
of land Mr.. Bowman said from
S25 to $40 per acre although in
some sections land might he
bought for 25 cents il you'd take
it ali,
1. d. Hale spoke OF the pres
ence of lice on Texas cantalonpes
and that the flavor of the cants
while excellent wns not SO regular
M tho Rocky Fords. On the
homeward trip he stopped nt st.
Louis aud found Arizona melons
selling at fancy prices and thinks
that high prices arc certain for
our growers. The Texas nssocin-
ton passed resolutions Of thanks
to the Western Poultry & Game
Co. for the treatment they had re-
ccived. In some cases Wetzel in.
sisted on taking some shipments
that We said were not fit. Our
growers should congratulate them.
selves that they have q contract
with Wctxel this year. At st.
Louis Mr.. Hale spent n day in
the railroad yards where tho re.
frigcrntor cars arc received aud
found the most complete system
prevailing and the utmost expetli.
ton practiced. The speed with
which the crates arc transferred
to the leo houses and 10 other cars
was worthy Of admiration. The
rapid diverting Of cars nt this
point is highly important TO their
continuous travel 10 eastern cities,
and tho work Is done in wny
which proves that Mr.. Wctxcl's
foreman in that department, Mr..
volker. is the right man in tho
right place.
Sec. Wallis read the following
letter which was in answer to n
letter Of inquiry written by him.
self in order TO find tho truth Of
certain rumors that wctzel had
not kept faith with the Texas
growers:
League City 0ult Coast
Horticultural Assoc'n.
League City, Texas. July ?a.fo.
DEAR Sin: Your favor of tho 18th
inst received. Our dealings with Mr..
weisrl of tb. wc.icrn +. 4 q. Co. arc
closed for this season. ! wish 10 say
they have fulfilled their part IL tho coa.
tract and In all our transactions found
them honest and energetic business men.
Through tho sifa~bcrr. season ~c con.
signed 10 them several thousand dollars
worth of str~irfries. rvaIisin. good and
satisfactory prices.
In tho melon season. as you arc prpba.
bly, aware. Texas had unusually heavy
rains which naturally injured the crvp.
The Western T.. & u. Co. received mel.
ons until they would sink an inch or
over in the crates. standing in icci cars
over night. causcd by melons taking
mp too much water in the field. after
which wc copclnlc,l To- wait several days.
expecting the melons to get over the II.
feet 81 the rains. but the leaves mn the
vines blighic,l and were seriously affected
by melon lice. We decided that !, was
money lost 10 Try in ship more car load
lots. "a their carrying quality was ruined.
IL was n serious loss and n disaptoipt
mrnt TO Texas melon growers. rs some
associations shipped but few car loads.
hut u was no fault OF the Western 7. Il
u. Co. Ne they were anxious 10 have
them at full prices u We could deliver
them in 81. Louis In reasonable condi.
ton. or II they would carry that distance.
Outside buyers said. iii the Western r.
& q. Co can not handle the melons. We
can't nse thcm"-would not bny them at
rriucc,l prizes here or at Webster. Of
which We know.
We certainly will give the Western =.
& q. Co. the first opportunity to make a
contract for melons next season. appreci.
a,ins their integrity and business ability.
only sorry that such firms with prcsi.
dents like Mr.. Weisel are So scarce.
Pleased To- serve you with any further
communications. believing them 10 bc 10
our mutual interests.
Respectfully yours,
A. j. KtEss, Sec.