The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-24

There Will be a Fine Crop of Ber-
ries.
The American Fruit and Produce
Travellers association met at Wrights-
vile sound last night and there were
more than so members in attendance.
Last year the attendance was larger
but many of the produce men have
not yet arrived owing to the season
being a little late. The number would
have been larger, though, if they had
had a way of reaching Wilmington
earlier but their special train from
9 o'clock, and it did O leave Chad
bOurn until $50. This caused some
to remain at Chadbourn as they did
not care to leave SO late in the even
ing. Neither President Thompson nor
Vice President Pratt were present,
having been unavOidably detained in
the north. Blu despite these facts
the meeting was a most enthusiastic
one and it is in better condition than
rel before. There are one hundred
and ten members.
The party left Wilmington imme-
>@diately upon the arrival of the spe-
cial and went to Wrightsville on a
special car. At first it was thought
that an oyster roast would be given
IN the sound and a smoker at Lumina
but the plans were changed and both
took place on the sound n the bus
mess sessions were also held there.
The address of welcome was made
by Mr.. z. w. Whitehead, editor or
The Truckers Journal, who welcomed
the produce men to Wilmington once
more and to the garden of the eastern
section of the United States-eastern
North Carolina. Mr.. H. ]. Gerrish,
from Boston, replied in a graceful
manner.
The principal matter disposed of
at the business session was the cleo
ton of officers, and this resulted as
follows:
Presidential. B. Pearson, of the M.
o. Coggins company, of Boston.
Vice President. J. Parrish. of
D. M. Wygant and company, New
York.
Secretary and Treasurer-M. j.
.Oaetwyler, of R. Daetwyler and com
pany, Philadelphia.
Sergeant at Arms-E. K. Wether-
all. of c.. E. Barker and company,
Newark.
In the absence of the president and
also vice president, Mr.. H. B. Gerrlsh,
of Boston, was called to the chair
and presided over the meeting.
Matters pertaining to he general
good of the association were literally
discussed. This organization has
done much good during the past few
years and what is beneficial to them
cannot help but benefit the farmer. 1t
is now extremely hard for a crook
t o operate in the truck or fruit grow
ing sections as the organization Is on
the lookout to protect the farmers
against such men. Farmers, natural
ly, cannot know about all of the rep
%utable produce houses n hence il
there was no organized body to take
the matter in hand and protect them
they would suffer as was the case be-
fore the association was formed. Ow-
ing to so many of the members being
absent an adjourned session will be
held in May, when several important
matters will be taken up. The May
meeting will be held in Chadbourn.
The produce men had a jolly good
time and are always glad to coem to
Wilmington, and they are always wei
come. Mr.. T.. w. Whitehead always
bends every energy to see that the
visitors have a good time.
1t was past the hour Of midnight
when the special car with the produce
men on board returned from the
sound. Most of them will leave for
their respective sections in the berry
belt this morning and the destination
of the majority Of them will be Chad
bourn.
Outlook in the Berry Belt.
The cool nights of the past week
have put the berry crop back and the
shipments for the past few days were
not near as heavy as expected. 1t
is said that the shipments will no
reach a large volume before Thurs
day of the present week. Berries be-
ing shipped now are those that es-
capped the frost which occurred some
weeks ago and are said to be very
inferior in quality. Berries are selling
about fifty cents higher than at the
opening of the s last year. The
price , in and around Chadbourn to-
morrow will probably be, so it is said
from $3.50 to $500 per crate.
Four cars of berries wen forward
yesterday, one from Whiteville to Buff
falo, one from Chadbourn to New
York, from Mt. Tabor for New York
and one from the Conwy branch tC
Boston.
Indications are that the berry CROP
is going to be very fine and the Der.