Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-12-13

cost of management and the other ex-
penses were about equal. But in 1901
the people had gained confidence in the
management and saw the benefits re-
sulting from the proper distribution of
products, and business amounting to
about S750.000 was done on capital
of little over 5000, each member be.
ing compelled TO own one share before
he is allowed to ship through the ex-
change. That year dividend of $50
per cent. was declared. 30 per cent cash
and 100 per cent. i'm stock The year
1902 has been the most successful in It's
history. the business having increased
over % per cent. over the preceding
year. amounting to about 81 900, 900.
A dividend of 20 per cent was declared
by the directors this year-20 per cent
cash and 80 per cent in stockton a
capital of over $4,000.
The entire business of $1,000, 900 a
| y N"A - AihhNrCu ~ tiilOt OiiiCtIS- w IL
liam a. Burton. general manager; Ed
ward + Miles. assistant general mana
/ ger. and Alfred J. McMath, secretary
and treasurer-and two book keepers
and two stenographers. All bills and
correspondence go Ou6 and money is re-
ceived for the sold goods through the
general office. All kilograms are also
sent from and received there, and thus
it is in close touch with the conditions
of markets all over the country. In this
way only can judicious distribution of
Its goods be made on the various mar
kets and better results obtained than
could possibly be done by leaving the
movement of their goods in the hands
of individual growers.
A special telegraph Office is maintained
in the exchange. and nearly $4,000 was
paid to the companies for telegraph tolls
this year. Eastern Shore potatoes are
sold as far North as Portland. Maine, in
the United States. and many are shipped
to Quebec, Montreal and Toronto. Can
ado; as far West as Lincoln and Omaha,
Neb and as far South as Admission and
Birmingham. Ala. The total number
of cars of sweet potatoes. 1870 barrels
to an average car, handled this year by
the exchange was 1900. and of Irish
potatoes 675.
Potatoes are not the only crops hand
led by the exchange, as thousands of
quarts of berries and baskets of peas
are shipped through it.
The Exchanges officers are ever on
the alert in widening its influence,
and are now reaching out after new
business. Next year the exchange will
be strong competitor of New Jersey
for the business of double headed
Sweets" that is. sweet potatoes packed
i'll double headed barrels. Already plat
erected for this method of packing, and
it is expected that large export trade
will be worked up. Even now the
United States Government buys from
the exchange weekly and ships to Lon
don. England, small lot of double
headed" Eastern Shore sweets. These
potatoes are selected and packed with
the greatest care and have given gener-
al satisfaction. Exchange officials think
of sending representative to Europe to
introduce these potatoes on more ex-
tensive scale. General Manager Burton
this year has many times stopped the
farmers from digging their sweet pota-
toes and paid demurrage on cars TO al.
low the market to clear up, but a ship.
ment of 500 barrels weekly ON the large
liners Europe would greatly help i'll the
distribution.
The advantage of packing sweet pota-
toes in Double headed barrels was dis
covered by travelling man of the ex-
change He was in "A large commission
house in Chicago and noticed some nice
sweet potatoes marked Jersey" and
asked the merchant where he got them.
He afterward found out that they were
Virginia sweets and that the merchant
was repacking them and shipping them
to Minnesota as Jersey sweets in double
headed barrels. The exchange man
took the next train for Minnesota and
the people of St. Paul. Minneapolis and
Duluth told him they would be glad to
have the ''double headed sweets" from
the Eastern Shore next year.
The Eastern Shore is also finding a :
ready market for its second crop seed
Irish pototoes, which, it is claimed. have
been demonstrated to be superior to
Northern and Western grown seed. The
exchange is helping its growers largely
along this line i'll finding purchasers for
hese seed and has sold some 10 900
barrels within the last month.