Evening journal., 1905-04-28
THE PENINSULA
EXCHANGE WORK
First Year of the Maryland
Organization Was Gen
orally Satisfactory

CFrom the Country Gentleman)
The Peninsula Produce Exchange Of
Maryland Us nearing the close of its
first years work, with satisfaction to
all concerned. 1t was organized for the
purpose of handling the farmers pro-
duce to better advantage than he could
handle it himsef with a capdtm stock
OF about $4,000 paid On. It's headquarters
are az Pocomoke City. Md It's presi-
ldent is Orlando Harrison Of the we'll
known nursery firm Of ]. G. Harrison
g. Sons. BERLIN; it's vlce-president is
Gordon b. Jones of Newark. large
potato grower.
IL has also a secretary treasurer. a
7 general inspector and local boards OF
! five Stockholders each. elected to man
age the business at every shipping
point each local board has a repre-
sentat tive on the board of directors of
/ the Exchange, hence the total number
lof directors Is governed by the num-
ber Of shipping points.
| The stock is sold i'm s. shares. and
every farmer, trucker or fruit-grower
lltakng one share of stock has "a right
TO ship through the Exchange and has
acoess 10 the books at any time de-
sired. Not more than 10 shares arc
sold to any one person, and mo one Is
allowed to buy the stock who has not
some interest i'm the Exchange
Most Of the goods are sold In car lots,
and the main Office fs connected by
Telephone TO each shipping point at
which place are an agent and an in
spector. each being paid on "a COM
mission When goods are inspected
they are branded according 10 the
grade, aISo marked with the name OF
the grower. I'm this way any package
can be traced from the majn Office TO
the grower, should it prove not to be
CORRECTLY branded and properly graded.
The Inspector goes from one shipping
point TO the other during the shipping
season TO see that tho local inspector
is having goods properly graded. and
when one does not grade accprding to
the requirements OF the bylaws. the
general inspector notifies the secretary
not to take the goods unless the grower
re-grades them; he can however shin
them on consi ignment.
During the past season the Exchange
handled over $4,000 barrels of white
potatoes. and about 5000 barrels OF
sweet potatoes. and several cars of
watenmclons and cantaloupes. The
charge to the shipper IS five per cent.
for all goods e. %. b. and eight per cent.
when shipped on consignment to the
commission merchant representing the
Exchange. which guarantees the pay
ment Of all goods consigned or sold.
The treasurer makes draft for this from
the main Office.
During this short year the Exchange
management has shown in "a gratifying
way how great the farmers influence
over prizes can be made. one OF its
most important effects Is the work az
the Inspector in having the goods uni-
formly graded. on account Of which
the Exchange could realize more money
daily, and did last season than the
average shipper. The grower once
turned down, ON account OF poorly
lgradod stock, usually learns his lesson.
and thereafter his goods are properly
packed; indeed. each is inspired to try
TO excel his neighbor.
on the present situation President
Harrison writes us.
Being our first year. we had several
difficulties to overcome. 1t was the
privilege OF the writer to be on the
market of some of our northern cities
during the shipping season. (Which gave
hdm a chance TO learn something about
commission work. We found some iip-
right business men who were conduct
ing a legitimate business. others who
were quite the reverse. We desire the
cooperation of every commission
merchant, and have had many compile
menung letters from them testfying
as TO their appreciation OF the work
ot the Exchange, as "a very good organi-
zation for both producers and buyers
With the cooperation of the railroad
companies. growers buyers and COM
mission merchants, we feel much enc
coumged TO enter the field for a new
years business"