Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-08-28
CaltaIOUDG
Shipping Season is Over
Returns Disappointing.

The last car Of Cantaloupes was
shipped from Lawrenceburg on We'd
nesday, making about 80 cars which
have gone from this place, and possibly
a many more from other points in the
County. The returns have not come
up TO the expectations of the growers
by any means, and there are many who
will not plant again next year The
large growers are said TO be especially
heavy losers, the men having only a
small acreage having most of them,
made fair and many of them large
profits This condition is not because
soil is not adapted 10 cantaloupe growth,
nor because Of bad season, although
there was some unfayorable weather
nor because there is not good mar
ket tor the product. II grows almost
entirely out of the natural mistakes
that inexperienced men make in launch
ing n new and imperGectly understood
industry en a large scale, and our most
intelligent men are now more firmly
convinced than ever before, that by A.
voiding this years mistakes and profit
ing by its lessons next year he canta-
loupe will become a staple crop, to be
depended on for good profits as certain
ly as any other, and with the addition
al certainty of producing larger profits
than any other in this County because
soil and climate are better adapted
thereto The chances are that while
many Of this year growers will drop
out of next years lists, thoughtlessly
discouraged, yet sensible men can see
where the mistakes were made and
know that there is no good reason why,
by correcting them, they win not profit
next year. Experience though stern
teacher, is a good one, and we believe
onr people will see that managed right,
in the Cantaloupe industry lies the
future of this county.
The first great bunder our people
made was in the Shipping Committee
plan Go into any of the frnit pro-
tucing sections, and during the ship
ping season the towns are filled with
buyers, who bid against each other for
every crate or basket as it comes into
town. They even drive ont to the
farmers fields TO secure his output,
and whenever it leaves the growers
hands he has his money for his fruit
and knows just what he has, and is
at no risk for damages or delay in ship
ping. He does not have to depend up
on a commission merchant in faraway
city whose interest is to be able to
supply his trade as cheaply as possible,
and who is often not as responsible as
the government By this years ar
rangement, the committee received
kilograms as to the condition of the
markets and it was their duty to put
cantaloupes in the best market OF
how little benefit this was can be seen
at once. when we think that if there are
no cantaloupes in Cincinnati to-day the
price will be high and if the telegram
states that 81. so crate is offered, and
the Committee promptly puts a car CT
two there, the moment of their arrival
the price drops, by the law of supply
and demand, If the Cincinnati fruit
company had bought car in Lawrence
burg however at $500 per crate and
paid for them they would have to get
their money out of them and their
financial interests would make them
strong factors in maintaining steady
market. The plan our people followed
however, of dumping the product into a
market to bring what it would formed
a sort of cut-throat, speculative game.
of chance, that would demoralze and
ultimately destroy any business.
Our shippers during this season were
offered $2 90 a crate for car on the
track at Lawrenceburg, but could not
sell on account of being bound up by
the Committee. The same car thrown
upon the market by existing arrange
ments netted them 93 cents per crate,
No better illustration is needed.
Another great draw back our people
had was the enormous and seemingly
exorbitant freight charges We do not
presume to state whether or not the
Railroad company can afford to make
lower rates. They have to get money
enough to pay running expenses, inter
est on investment, fair profit to stock