The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-05-24

by the local buyers and some com
mission men, the exchange had como
to handle nearly two-thirds Of the
farm products Of the peninsula.
while the average price obtained had
exceeded that of the preceding three
Year period by probably 80 cents a
barrel.
Growth Has Been Phenomenal.
Since that time its growth has been
continuous and phenomenal. 1t now
has working capital Of $4,000.
malkets seven-tcnths Of the produce
of the peninsula, and for several years
has done AN annual business for its
members Of from $2,250,000 to So
100000. In the year just past, it
marketed 1,03G,5G9 barrels Of Irish
potatoes and S24, ,7G7 barrels Of sweet
potatoes, with some 200 cars Of straw
berries and q sufficient quantity of 9TH
er minor crops to make total II over
100000 packages. or 10000 cars.
This is probably double the total pro-
duction Of the peninsula for any year
preceding the exchanges organization
an expansion made possible only by
persistent efforts to open up new mar
kets and constant work OF intelligent
and expansive distribution.
Throughout all this period, although
| seasonal and national market condi
tions beyond any local control have
| occasionally (and notably in the two
years just pasD conspired to rob the
eastern shore farmer Of his profits.
prices have been constantly maintain
ed at the highest level possible under
/ those general conditions. and under
what local opposition has remained,
and there has never been any return
or near approach 10 the chronic
sieges Of disastrOusly low prices for
choice produce, which had come resu-
larly to prevail before the exchange
was organized.
In short, taking the lean years With
the fat, as all the farmers, and espec-
| tally all truck farmers must do. it
has unquestionably been the economic
salvation Of its section. In its life,
local farm land has trebled in value;
and it has been said that any eastern
shore man who wants convincing
proof of the worth of the exchange
need only look from his window and
see it in any direction.
| The positive working principles
through which this success has been
achieved are equally capable CT ap-
plication in other sections. Of this
constant succession of requests from
occasionally from Europe for inform
ton concerning them, as we'll as the
| half dozen more recent co-operative
associations patterned more or less
| closely after this, which are now sue
ceeding in other States, are sufficient
proof. In next weeks isue these
principles as developed and made per-
feet will be presented.
Working Principles for Success.
| l. The elimination to the utmost
! possible extent of middlemen and the
| establishment of a home market.
| Ninety per cent Of all produce
| handled by the exchanges is sold f. o.
| b.. loading point direct to the distant
wholesale dealer; in some cases to the
| retail grocer. The advantage of the
home market thus created is evident
| from the fact that frequently for
| many days in succession the associa-
tion sells at it's own home wharves
! and stations for prices equal to those
prevailing in New York city.
The remaining one-tenth, which is
handled on consignment by specially
| authorized selling agents of the ex-
change in the eastern cities, is made
| up largely Of odd lots and inferior
| grades Of produce which the ex-
change Is unwilling shall injure the
reputation Of its standard goods by
selling
2. Intelligent distribution among
all available markets. Both Western
Union and Postal telegraph operators
are stationed in the associations Of
flee and exclusive trunk wires from
TINS room to Philadelphia give the
exchange quick access 10 all parts of
both systems. Constant telcgraphic
communication is maintained with
every important market in the United
States east of the Pacific slope
and with the chief cities Of Canada,
and all sales are made by wire.
Each morning the days sales