The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-11-10

Pm not a farmer" said Mr.. Rob-
erts, leaning back in his chair on the
wide veranda and looking out medi-
tatively toward the orange groves
over which Curtis Everett had taken
so much trouble; but can tell you,
there's only one road to success, in
farming as in everything else, my
boy. Aim for the top. For instance,
friend of mine found first-rate cider
apples in his new orchard. Did he
make cider out of them, like every
other farmer round? Not he; he
made the very best cider vinegar in
stead, by careful chemical processes,
and then he took some of it down to
New York. He went to the retailers
direct, not to the commission men
there's trick for you to learn, Curt
and he got ten dollars a barrel for
1t. Same way with his butter and
cheese-always the best, always at
tractively put up, always at top
prices. The result is that Jennings
is making a farm pay, and pay we'll
1t all depends upon the way you do
1t. Now this orange grove of
yours"
But, Mr.. Roberts," interrupted
Curtis, my oranges are frst-rate, and
two hundred barrels of them. 1t
tsLt my fault that l can't get more
than three dollars barrel for them
here, or from the New York commits
sion men. And can't afford to go to
New York myself to sell them. You
see, it's the old proverb again: The
destruction of the poor is their pow
erty.'"
Mr.. Roberts shook his head. "It's
the poor boys that make millionaires
in the end, nevertheless, Curt; you
can't get round that fact. Suppose /
give you an object-lesson in money
making-if you're willing, that is. l
can teach you, for instance, how to
sell those oranges at from five to
seven dollars a barrel"
Curtis Everett looked at his
shrewd, spare, well-dressed compan-
ION In amazement. Mr.. Roberts was
certainly in earnest, and everybody
knew that Mr.. Roberts could do very
wonderful things in the way of maxi
ing money. He was wealthy rail-
road man, and Curtis and his mother
always welcomed the days when he
stopped at their little home among
the orange groves, as he came and
went along the line.
Mr. Roberts had been a lifelong
friend of Curtis father, and after
Mr.. Everett's death had helped to set
tie the small estate; and altogether
Curtis, who was only eighteen years
old, regarded him as one of the kind
est, and wisest of men. But this cool
remark of his oracle fairly took away
his breath. Seven dollars barrel
for oranges! Why, one might as we'll
say hundred, and be done with It!
Mr.. Roberts rather enjoyed his
young friends incredulous look.
We'll, to begin with" he said, "we'll
30 outside of your orange grove. Do
you know that the crop, up and down
ehe States, Is not as good as it might
De? I've noticed that, and you ought
10 know 1t better than l, for it's part,
. large part, of your business. Then
most of the packers about here are
lazy and careless, and they pack as
you do, in barrels. / would advise
you to begin. and you might as well
do it to-day. by picking over your
TWO hundred barrels of oranges and
sorting out only the finest and most
perfect ones. Wrap each orange neat
ly in paper. and pack them in boxes,
with your name AID address plainly
1ettered on each box. Your fruit is
6rst-rate. you say?"
NO better oranges in Florida, -,
said Curtis. proud of his crop. And
he was not boasting, for when the
hrst box was brought up for Mr.. Rob-
erts' inspection, the most fastidious
eonnoisseur in fruit would have been
satisfied with the great golden globes,
juicy and firm. that filled the soft
paper wrappers.
They'll do. Not a cent less than
seven dollars for these" was Mr.. Rob-
erts' comment, as the box was nailed
up. How many like this do you
think you will get out Of the two
aundred barrels. my boy?"
AT least two hundred boxes" re.