Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-10-07
The virginias Fruit Ex-
change.
Charleston jefferson Co. W. Va

september ~, i3lu.
We wish to call the attention of our
members to 1.-THE strong and healthy
condition Of the apple market, and yet
to caution them that to exact excessive
prices at this time may result in ear
failing the ,demand at fair figures.
Spectators who have bought in this
section at prices ranging from 1926 to
81 rs per barrel are trying to unload
evidently at an advance Of 25c. bar
rel, an evidence that by concert OF ac-
ton better prices would have been OBJ
tanned by marketing the crop syste-
matically and gettlrg the ultimate
price from the consumer rather than
giving part of it away to the spot
buyer.
The Canadian supply for export is
short, which will later on stimulate
the demand for Virginia and West
Virginia stock. The crop in New York
State is not coming up to early esti-
mates.
in every instance prices for our mem
bers greatly in excess of those paid
by spectators, and indications are
that growers who sold have not OBJ
tanned full values. As an evidence of
this we cite some car lot sales made
for our members, the prices quoted be-
ing free on board cars at a point of
shipments:
Msiden Blush, $3.50 per barrel; Grimes
Golden, 81 per BARREL Northwestern
Greetings, S3.45 to 1915 per barrel;
Bonums, 81 per barrel; Baldwins, So to
$3.50 per barrel, etc.
AS an evidence of the Wilderness of
distribution, we may state that carlot
sales have been made in the follow ing
markets, among others:
New York, Cleveland, Dayton. Gin
cinnati, Columbus, Galveston, Beau
mont, Tex; Texarkana, ARR; ST.
Louis, Piltsburg, Chicago, Philadel-
phia, Oil city, Milwaukee, Wis; Ma
con, Ga; Nashville, Tenn, and we are
now forwarding some carloads to
New York for xport 10 England.
AS to the general results obtained
and service gl en-, we would refer TO
| the Presidents of the Berkeley, jet
| ferson, Fie .eiicR, and CLARKE County
Associates l!Ion. Alex Clohan, Lc-
gan b. s. ia, Stewart Bell and :. S.
| thomas) re-ptc;iye,3, VINO have COM
ni'ted the whole crops, unreserved-
ly, for sale 5y he Exchange, and also
the following growers, among others:
| The J. NJ Thatcher Co II. l..
Smith: MillerGold Orchard; z. c..
McGoffin, Il. s. Henshaw, OF Berke-
ley County.
NJ. y. Rouss, f. q. sWilsen, E. H..
McDodald & SoEs; V. G. Moore, G. NJ.
Wetzel, of Jefferson County.
| Richard B. Smith, A. II. Arpette.
Frank q. arpenter, G.. +. Clevenger
& Sons, L Miller Farm. Of Virginia.
For extra fancy Jonathans packed
in Oregon bushel boxes by Messrs
Rouss Bros, the Exchange has obtain
ed the record pricee of So per box,
equivalent to 50 per barrel, showing
what care in grading and packing will
accomplish. We cannot too strongly
| caution our mem bers against careless
ness in preparing their fruit for mar
| ket.
1t is frankly admitted by those who
have as yet not availed themselves of
the services of the Exchange that they
have already benefited by the compe-
tition and obtained about 25c to soc a
| barrel more for their fruit than they
would have gotten had the Exchange
not been in existence. We are doing
everything possible to have our fruit
sold at top prices, and are safeguard
ing the interests of our members in
getting good service from the trans
portation companies.
Calling your attention to the en-
closed comparative table of rates, we
hope TO get such an adjustment with
the railroad companies as will prevent
the existing discrimination which is
costing the growers of this section
anywhere from 15c to 25e barrel on
their apples.
Owing to the provisions of the In
terstate Commerce Commission Law,
any reduction secured could not be-
come effective during the present ship
ping season, but it is hoped and be-
lieved that we can convince the trans
portaton companies of the business of
our position in time to secure relief by
next season.
AS soon as The present rush of pick
ing and shipping is over the Exchange
will Immediately take up the matter
of contracting for supplies of spraying
m aterials, etc., for its members in
large quantities, to be distributed in
car lots.
Yours faithfully,
The Virginias Fruit Exchange.