The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-03-29
Exchange or Chaos-Which?

We wish that the citrus growers OF
Florida would view the impending cri,
sis in their affairs with some serious.
ness; with some consideration of what
it would mean to them if the Florida
Citrus Exchange should dissolve at the
end of this present season. We are
aware that some will throw The suggeS.
ton aside with the remark, or thought,
that no such condition is possible, thai
the officials of the Exchange are making
grandStand play TO scare the growers
into line.
We want you TO believe us when we
say that there is grave danger that there
will be no Florida Citrus Exchange after
this season. Those OF you who believe
that because there is almost certain 10
be great big crop, and that the Elk.
change will get good share of fruit for
the coming season, even il it gets but
its present prorata, that in consequence
there is no danger must get that idea out
OF your heads at once. There is danger.
Your argument in this case would
probably be that with an eight TO ten
million box crop, which now seems
possible, the Exchange would handle
get enough fruit 10 carry them through.
We want you TO stop and think what
a ten million box crop means. How
will it be marketed? Can the tail wag
such big dog, even II the tail is pro-
portionately large? With a very short
crop, as was the case this season, while
the percentage was against the Exchange,
the outside fruit did not cut so big a
figure because there was comparatively
little of it. With six TO eight million
boxes out against the Exchange, their
two million boxes would stand but little
show; markets would be slaughtered in
the early season, and the Exchange
would be forced TO play the waiting
game, with consequent risk OF frost
damage and windfall loss. The officials
of the Exchange do not think that in
such case the game would be worth the
candle, and they are disposed 10 give
up, 10 throw the burden where il prop.
erly belongs, upon the individual grow
er. He is the Exchange. Does he
want to continue?
With an enormous crop and no EX-
change to at least try TO stop shipmets of
immature fruit, ii should not be difficult
for all of you TO realize what will hap.
pen; TO know that the hungry hounds
will all try to lead the baying pack that
will be out in full cry 10 get TO the mar
ketS first. Hundreds of cars will later
be shipped that will not bring expense
money. To those growers who have
found ready buyers at satisfactory prices
this past season we wish 10 point out
that in such case the buyers will not
be hunting them; there will be no buy.
ers, and he must turn 10 the commission
man. Past experience should have
taught him what TO expect in such a
case.
If enough of you growers do not
come through to bring the Exchange
nearly up 10 50 per cent OF the strength
of the circus crop of this State, be pre-
pared to duck; sell your property while
you can, and get out while you may,
for the time will come when you can't.
Don't lay the burden on the other fell
low; don't think your neighbor will put
his shoulder to the wheel while you
hang back, expecting TO still be able to
walk in the shade of the umbrella If
you don't come in, "there hain't going
TO be no umbrella. ''-Florida Grower.