Rocky Ford enterprise., 1907-07-19
DON'T DO 1T.
The Reputation Of Rocky Ford's
Prime Product Is at Stake.

TTiUc trOuuct Is NJ stake.
During last years shipping season in
this valley there was a great deal OF COM
plant made from the markets that green
eantaloupes were being put on sale. The
fact that the season is going to be late
this year makes il probable that the course
OF last year will be repeated and with
some excess. owing to anxiety to get our
melons into market while the weather is
warm. There are whole lot Of reasons
for this marketing Of unpalatable stuff.
the prime one Of which Is tho eagerness
Of the grower to realize all he can on his
product. Just how this is TO be overcome
those engaged In the reformation OF hu-
man nature rather than those engaged in
improving the grade Of our eantaloupss
will have TO answer.
Then too there Is some difference Of
opinion among growers and commission
men As to just the best time TO pick =
melon intended for = distant marksts
Opinion differs as TO whether Il should be
- little green" - good deal green" or
.juss right" and what constitutes the
'just right stage. Then too every sea-
son sees number Of green hands among
the piekers. now importations o! labor and
new growers Of the crop. who have not
had time to get onto tho art Of telling
truly right" cant
However the fact remains that tho rep-
utation Of the Rocky Ford eaniaioupe
needs 10 b maintained ifit Is TO continue
70 command the special price that Il has
bssn doing. and L bshoovss tho shipper
and grower. whoever he may b. 70 pay
soms attention 70 this matter Of green
ness or any other defect In his product,
lsse what hs gains In quantity shipped Is
more than Offset by the slump In price.
Il costa money 10 gather and ship poor
goods and Il 10 easy 10 lose In this way
more than would b lost by tho shipping
os nothing but good melons. Lot good
melons and good ps,ess continue to b the
motto Of The Arkansas Valley eantaioups
growers
The Enterprise has been led to make
this reminder BY tho rseeip, Of the follow
NJ letter BY Secretary Sloan Of tho
Rseiy Ford Melon Growers association:
To the President Of Rocky Ford Melon
Growers Association:
Dear Sir.-Last summer. bsins In Bus-
taio. N. Y. ~Nh friends. though; would
give them the treat Of their lives when
Rocky Ford ean;aioapss put In their sp-
psaranes. 20 abou, Sept, bought dozen
Of our celebrated melons. ! paid rs or
so cents each for them and they looked
choice. We had thsm for supper but
could not eat ons. They were Ssss Ike
pumpkins being 50 green. About two
weeks later. OF Ssps. 20. bought half
dozen more for si.so. These were no
better than the frs; lo:- After iha; my
trends kept rubbing |, in 70 mo on our
celebrated Rocky Ford esn.aiospes. which
compared fssosably with New York state
pumpkins.
When got back 10 Denver I thought
would have good feast On melons. but
found them about as bum as those you
had shipped 10 Buffalo. Then tried can
ssloupas grown near Grand Junction and
fourd them far better than those you
ship.
think you are TO blame for this. and
Il you keep on shipping green melons !;
wont be long before yoa'll find there is no
sale Tyr your melons. pfo;es. asains,
shipping any more green ean;aloupss.
Yours respectfully.
c. Sissi- JH.
Denver. Colo.