The daily sentinel., 1910-01-14

But as our crop increases there must
be still more markets developed. and
our success for the future. depends
largely on proper distribution. | also
wish to say to you, as our supply in
creases we must improve our grade
and pack. Some markets are not
critical. while others are and with our
rapid increase it will not be long un-
til we must get into all the markets.
Just stop TO consider the large con-
suming markets are east of the Mis-
sissippi river and the large apple pro-
ducing districts are east of the river;
therefore if we are going to ship our
apples right into the apple growing
districts and pay heavy freight
charges. is it not reasonable to be-
lieve we must have both better fruit
and better pack and grade.
There are few seasons but what
you can buy the best varieties of ap-
pies in New York State for $500
barrel. But for example, a box of
Ben Davis at S1.25. freight so cents,
storage 20 cents, makes il cost the
dealer $500. Now can't you realize
your apples must be perfect, not only
perfect in one way but every way
good size, good color, good pack, to
enable you to get into those markets.
And let me say to you that we are not
taking the pains and care in growing
our apples that we should. A good
many OF our orchards have been
planted too close and we haven't the
courage to cut out one-half or yes
two-thirds of the trees. but we go on
from year to year sapping the life
from our ground and growing small
and poorly colored apples. There are
also others who are afraid they will
cut off too many limbs and not have
quite so many apples. Now gentle
men, know whereof l speak, and the
grower that fails to produce large
fruit, well colored and well packed,
is going to lose out; and it is my opin-
ion we should make some changes in
our grading, but we will speak on
this subject later.
Before concluding wish TO say
something in reference to transporta-
tion. The roads east of Denver gave
u.s. excellent service. Previous to
three years ago our average time
from Denver to the Missouri river
was AS to 80 hours, but with the in
creased business, giving them train
loads the past season, the average
time was less than 80 hours. Our
two local roads made a great effort
to give us splendid service and were
in line to do so, but just as our ship
ments of peaches and pears began.
the rain set in, which caused them
great expense and the shippers an
noying delays; but they used their
best efforts and that is all we could
expect. But when apples began to
move we found a shortage of cars and
for time 1t appeared that we would
not be able to move our crop, and in
fact we were compelled to use ordin-
airy box cars to some extent, but we
managed to wind up the season with
out loss
Referring to cantaloupes. the re-
suits proved somewhat unsatisfac-
tory Our neighbor, the Rocky Ford
district, had an unusually large crop
and the best quality they have had
for several years. and the markets
We're well supplied from other dis
tricts also. But for some reason our
melons failed to carry as well as
usual-we attribute this to the un-
| usual amount of rain. But while the
prices realized were not as good as
| former seasons. still in my opinion
the results show some profit above
labor and other expense, and be-
lieve our growers should not become
discouraged. / learn from good au-
| thority. in fact n published statement
from one of the large associations in
the Rocky Ford district, that they
| only averaged 81 cents net from
Standards and Jumbos; however,
.. f.Nt. t,a
Referring to our dividends. This
may look large to the small stock
| holder. but when YOU stop to con-
slider We paid no dividends last year,
| this only makes fair return for the
| two years, and you will notice it is
less than two per cent on the busi-
ness done, and no one can figure a
| business down closer and feel sure
| the business would not show a loss !;
| in fact. before making up our annual
statement. very much doubted
| whether we would show any profit at
all
Now | wish to call your attention
| TO the notices published in connec-
| ton with voting at this meeting on
the proposition to increase our capital
| stock to 100000. During the past
| season We were compelled TO borrow
| S65,000 to handle our business: this
is an unreasonable loan on capital
of only 100000 and would natural
| ly impair our credit, and to say he
least your management and direct ors
should not be expected to raise, by
borrowing. this large sum of money,
AMI now We are going to need even
| more money to run our business
properly. We must enlarge our facil-
tiles, we have already purchased a
| desirable tract of land at Palislde
and let a contract to put up another
building and enlarge our platforms
AT Grand Junction we need an office