Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-08-09
Msfbods OF Marketing our Staple Pro.
dHcf.

Mr.. Editor:-Another sweet potato
= season is here. Questions of policy
u and methods of marketing the prod
uct of long and patient labor must
present themselves to thoughtful
sweet potato growers.
AT present, there are, for all prac
tical purposes, only about three
channels available for the farmers to
market or distribute their crop.
These are the Eastern Shore of Va
Produce Exchange" the local "Spec-
ulator," and the local soliciting
Agent
The Exchange" liz, in truth, CO.
operative institution, whose affairs
are managed by progressive and ex-
perienced business men in their line
A board of directors, who are In the
main, representative of the best 10
terests OF this frkinia Peninsula,
keep close tab" on its operations.
Its methods are orenfaced It's
clientage. both local and foreign. are
at liberty to examine the Exchange,
records at pleasure. 1t has a fixed |
schedule OF commission, both on
consigned goods. and I. o. b. sales
Consignments are a very small part |
vi its business and is growing less.
The Exchange" now has over an
hundred t. o b. customers regularly
carrying Ia stock" daily sweet pc
totoes These customers are scattered
over twenty odd states. 1t also has
now on foot plans that will open up
many new markets for Virginia
sweets. 1t is spending hundreds of
dollars advertising them, by travel,
as we'll as IL rough the columns Of the
trade papers of the United States.
The profits accruing to the institu
ton, beyond actual operating ex-
penses, go back to stockholders IN
the way OF dividends, or to their
credit as fund with which to pay
promptly for goods sold. By its sys-
tenn of distribution, in ?hnding GUS
toners all over the country, it has
contributed its part in relieving the
demoralizing COMPOSITIONS OF ship
ments to New York, Boston and Bal
timore Of few years ago. Democrat
ize New York market and the whole
country is demoralized. Tone mp
New York market, and the whole
country is toned up, is condition
recognized by intelligent tradesmen
In all lines.
The local "specuator" has a de-
moraizing effect, though he is in a
measure bull" in making sales.
The Exchange" however, having
established standard grades of goods,
compels them to have to shade"
prices in order to make sales, as a
rule. Thus he finds himself In posi-
ton where he must be decided
bear" when buying from his neigh.
bors and trends, who are "stayiug
with him." in order to show a "de I
cent profit" He ''queers" the Elk
change, and does worse to his follow
ing However men engaged in his
business are entitled to considera. =
ton. They back the business with {
their money, risk their credit aud 8
reputation, as there is an element of 5
risk about it.
The local soliciting agent" how
ever, is different proposition. The
pure article of tod " is smooth and L
ffoxy." The time was when they
were necessary evils. They are un-
Willingly (et us hope) species of the
"Bunco steerer."
IL seems almost Incredible that the
Intelligence of today would suffer
itself to be 'steered" through ties OF E
relationships, or social or fraternal o
connections to violate the great un- b
written law of equitable distribution
in congesting their goods in one or
two markets, Soliciting agents"
frankly admit that the Exchange is
a good thing in relieving the
crowded condition in New York but y
they deliberately "steer" their fol
lowing to New York every day, prac
tically speaking, regardless of condi-
tons, thus counteracting the efforts
Df the "Exchangen by keeping New p
York "plugged' full. Do they in- q
vest dollars No, not unless they n
Ieel sure New York is going to r,
do better" then they dip in" and o
buy few of their friends(?) Are they
spending any time or money seeking
new markets or customers for their
,lientage? Notwithstanding produc- g
ton is increasing fast, have they tf
'ound any cash customers for their 81
friends in all these years? Have they
ried to establish a home market2
No, but to the contrary they have,
and are now fighting any and all
Efforts to do so. They have mailed a.
% their masthead" their motto, "ship d
% New York" They prefer that they
hould be consigned regardless of
in that direction. They
get sure, safe thing commission, ia
No risk, no investment. The voca- re
ion Of the local soliciting agent" b
hould be labeled and placed aside
GENTLY with the FLAX break" spin
ling wheel" and other antique and
things that have served 81
heir day and generation. Growers IN
hould study their own interest er
Don't let your ''long-headed" kin, or