The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1905-1908, 1907-07-18
COUNTY TRUCK
GROWERS MEET
TRUCK GROWERS OF LOWNDES
COUNTY MET HERE SATUR-
DAY FOR THE PURPOSE
OF ORGANIZING.
Capt. W. c. Mcclure is Taking the
Initiative and is Working Hard
to Make q Success OF This
Deserving Enterprise.


In response to call from Capt. w
c. Mcclure, manager of the local mill
of the Refuge Cotton Oil Company,
quite a number OF farmers met al
the city hall yesterday morning for
the purpose of discussing plans look
ing toward the organization of a
truck growers association. Capt.
Mcclure opened the meteing with an
interesting address in which he pre-
sented some very valuable informa-
ton concerning truck farming. He
told his audience frankly that he was
interested in the project from finan-
cial standpoint, because his company
manufactures fertilizers, which, he
said, are essential to successful truck
farming.
Capt. Mcclure stated that in order
to present the matter to the farmers
of Lowndes county in a practical
form, he had instructed Capt. ]. A.
Hudson, an employe of the local mill,
to go to Humboldt, Tenn, which is
one of the largest shipping points in
this section for fruits and vegetables,
and familiarize himself with the
methods employed in growing and
shipping tomatoes, cabbages, pota-
toes and other vegetables which are
sold in carload lots to produce mer-
chants in the large cities.
Capt Hudson was present at the
meeting, and gave a detailed account
of his trip to Humboldt. He said that
he visited various truck farms in
the vicinity and then inspected the
sheds where the vegetables are sold
to representative of large produce
merchants. 1t was thought at first
the farmers here would have to build
sheds in which to store the vegeta-
bles for inspection by the buyers, but
Mr.. Hudson stated that this would
not be necessary, as the railroads
would provide sheds here just as they
have done in Humboldt. In that city
the farmers carry their vegetables to
the sheds, where they are inspected
and classed. The farmers do not have
to wait for their money, but are given
checks Immediately, just as the cot
ton buyer gives checks for cotton
upon delivery of the warehouse re-
cepits.
Capt. Hudson presented some very
attractive figures showing what had
been accomplished by the truck
growers residing in the neighborhood
contiguous to Humboldt. Last sea-
son they shipped 222 carloads of to-
for which they received s92,
402, and in addition to this received
large sums from cabbages, potatoes
and other vegetables. He told of one
farmer who last year received $1,000
for cabbages alone. The amount ex-
pended in growing and marketing
.hese cabbages was s125, leaving the
farmer a net profit of 1896.
The farmers were very much inter
ested in the figures presented by
Capt. Hudson, and are determined to
engage in truck growing on a large
scale next season. With that end in |
yiew, temporary organization was
perfected by the election of the fol- |
owing officers: NJ. V. Friday, pres |
dent; J. E. Slaughter, yice-presi- I
lent; j. A. Hudson, secretary and |
reasurer. There will be another |
Meeting at later date, at which per-
nanent organization will be effected |
nd plans for truck farming on a
arge scale next year will be mapped
'ut.