Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-12-19
A MELON GROWERS ASSOCIATION.
1t Has Been Organized by the Farmers Of
Ohaves County.
(Roswell Register.)

(ltOSWell ReSlStef.)
A meeting of farmers and gardeners
interested in melon growing-partic /
larly cantaloupes-was held at the Of
flee of the Wells-Fargo Express Com.
pany at Roswell.
The meeting was called to order an
w. M. Farmer was made temporary
chairman and |. e. Thompson tempo.
rary secretary. Mr.. Farmer stated that
the object of the meeting was to or
ganiZe the farmers of Chaves county
into an association for the purpose of
encouraging the industry of growing
cantaloupes, procuring favorable ship
ping rates and facilities, and a goo,
market, and handling the whole bust
ness in an economical name so as to
secure the best returns possible. He
called attention to the well-known fact
that the growers could not operate sue
c~essfully, attempting to market their
crops independently of each other, and
that the only plan that can be made
successful is to organize properly and
pool their efforts, thus curtailing en-
pense, uniting their efforts and acting
as one body. The first question dis
cussed was the number of acres that
would probably be planted the coming
season. A list made after a brief can
vass indicated hat something like 300
acres would probably be planted, if
satisfactory guarantees as to a sure
market and reasonable shipping rates
can be obtained. An inquiryswa made
as to the'probable cost of the best seed,
and Mr.. Baldwin stated hat it would
cost Il cents per pound delivered az
Roswell. 1t was agreed that all should
use the same kind of seed in order to
insure a uniform crop as nearly as pot,
sible. and that the very best seed should
be procured, as it is important that the
cantaloupes raised here shall be as good
as the best raised anywhere. Sever Il
of the farmers present stated that they
had had trouble with impure seed.
In the discussion which followed as
to the proposed method of handling il
was agreed that all expenses should be
pruned as closely as possible. A pack
ing shed is to be built and an expert
enced packer will have charge of the
work of packing the crates.
All members of the association are to
deliver their crops at the packing sheds
and are to be charged with the actual
cost of packing and shipping, and no
more. A rough estimate of THE cost of
packing placed it at about 20 cents per
crate-12 cents for crates and 8 cents
for packing.
At this juncture, it was suggested
that Il permanent organization be ef.
fected, and a motion that the tempo
rary organization be made the perma.
mont one carried. Mr.. Farmer, the
chairman, thanked the meeting for the
honor conferred, and asked that all
members lend a helping hand in every
way possible with the work of placing
the association upon a sound, paying
basis, and reminded them of the fart
that without perfect cooperation the
movement cannot succeed. Parker Earle
suggested that two or three other men
be selected as members of a board o.
directors, of which the president and
secretary should be ex-officio members.
The suggestion vas acted upon, and P.
Fl. Boone, George w. Stevens and s.
M. King We're elected as directors.
Some one inquired about the best
method of hauling the cantaloupas to
the packing shed, and was told that
they should be laid in boxes, about two
dozen in each box.
The question of paying for books anu
stationery came up next, and a motion
that a membership fee of 25 cents be
charged was carried.
j. r. Chrisman mentioned the fac
hat there We're a number of farmers i'll
his Observation-Disclosures Park, eleven
miles southeast of Roswell, most Of
whom would no doubt raise some AN
taloupes if a packing shed could be
built at their station. He said he felt
sure the farmers would be willing to do
the grading for a side track or spur to
the packing shed. Mr.. Christian was
asked to ascertain about how many
acres of cantaloupes would be planted
in that ~neighborhood and report at the
next meeting.
The general trend of all the remarks
made was to the effect that every far
mer in the county should be encour-
aged in every way possible to become
a member of the association and share
in it's benefits.
E. A. Cahoon, cashier of the First
National Bank, has been made treas
urer of the association, and it is the in
tention to have all funds received for
shipments RENTED by the commission
house selling the crop direct to him
and shipper can get the net amount due
him by presenting to Mr.. Cahoon his
account of sale, sent him by the com
mission house, showing what his canta-
loupes sold for and what his share o.
the expense was.