The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-13
Agr1cultural Department
coNpucren ey FULTON s. WHITE.

be producing? Is is not a fact that while we have been planting new orchards we have been losing sight of our interests as shippers and sellers of these crops? Un- der our present methods, unless provi-
 dence should come to our relief with frost
 or some other disaster destroy large
 part of the future crops the conditions in the future will be even worse than they
 were this season. The crops that are
 coming on is one of the strongest argu-
 ments in favor of this or some movement
 of this kind being taken and at once.
 There should be no delay in this mat
 ter for 1t will not be long until the next
 crop will be ready for movement.
 Another fact that should induce grow
 CTS to action at once. is that the buyers
 in all the large cities are thoroughly
 organized and they are always and at all
 times fully posted as to conditions of
 crops and growers In some sections or
 ganizations of growers have been effected for the purpose of acting independently
 and selling on the track for cash only.
 Such a plan is not practical and can
 never become a success until our growers
 are better educated and more thorough ly organized. What were the conditions
 in 1904 when many crops were short? Then buyers from the northern cities came
 south and were eager to buy and pay
 cash for many crops on the track. This
 was especially true of potatoes. But
 what were the conditions the past season of 1905?
 Let me give one illustration. l have a friend who is one of the leading com
 mission merchants of St. Louis and who
 is a large buyer of southern fruits and
 vegetables. I called upon this man early last spring and asked him what he thought of the southern outlook for mar keting fruits and vegetables. The an- swer was, Everything is going to be bad
 and l shall not send a single man out this season Last season I kept three men in Texas buying, but this season I will get all the peaches. onions and potatoes from | Texas that l can handle without having | to spend a cent in going after them" This proved true, for crops were poured in on this merchant on consign- ment until he was compelled to refuse even consignments. This shows that these dealers are well posted and thor
 oughly organized and 1t is this kind of education and organization that our growers so much need and which they must have in order to succeed.
 Is a Great Question.
 This Is a great question and one which | we could spend much time upon. It is a | matter that should interest all growers | in all sections of the south. As I am not shipper 1t Is not for me to say | just what plan or plans should be adopt | ed, but do believe that in a general con vention made up of delegates from all parts of the south, these delegates could | be relied upon for devising methods which would bring speedy and perma- | nent relief to the growers of all lines of | crops in all parts of the south This mat
 ter should not be delayed. We need ae- tion and should act at once, for the good
 reason that the south can i'll afford to | haF n,fe, | Let some one who has the right or au- | thority to do so, call for this general con | vention at the earliest possible date and | let notices be sent early to associations | in all parts of the country.
 NOW that the Farm and Ranch with it's | progressive ideas and general interest in
 the prosperity of the fruit and vegetable | growers or the south has come out and | outlined It's views in this matter, thus in- 1 vting the opinion and comment of others.
 take the opportunity of expressing my l views and trust that others will exnress | themselves likewise. I am greatly inter- ested and deeply in earnest in this worl, and can be counted upon for doing all I | can in helping to formulate some such organization as is needed I feel war ranted in saying in advance that the railroad company which I represent Ca | system which traverses a greater section ! or fruit and vegetable growing country
 than any other system of like mileage in
 the United States will approve of any | movement having for it's object the bet | torment of conditions as here outlined
 and 1 have asked our company that I be | permitted to cooperate with the grow
 CTS In this movement
 In summing up the whole situation if
 seems to me that the success of our
 growers depends upon three things. First
 thorough organization; second, hearty CO.,
 operation and third, higher education.
 Wi.h tnese we may succeed; without | them difficulties present themselves Me,
 we now hear from others on this import | ant subject