El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-11-02

when melons were going to the oau
everywhere, my melons held up over
two weeks. I have packed and graded
my produce according to standard
methods. On the other hand nave
hauled them all mixed in boxes, TUBS
and barrels. sold them direct TO Ihe
consumer. while it should not be, new
ertheless the fact remains that the fruit
and vegetables brought to market IN
boxes and tubs have brought me most
money. Too often the cost of packing
and crates have added to our losses
rather than increased our profits.
Even now after waiting two long
months I have not received a penny
for my produce shipped which 1 SO
carefully graded and packed, in the
mean time I have been selling some IN
boxes and tubs. But for this method
which Ell PasO produce men so much
condemn I might well have expected
the sheriffs tag on my door,
The farmer is not such an ape as you
think. He is sure to adopt the method
which pays him best.
The ''City Farmer
Business men of the city have been
trying to tell the farmer how to make
money all these years, but strange as
it may seem the most miserable failures
on our farms today are its recruits
from the business world. This would
not be but for the many difficulties
confronting the farmer on every hand.
Why, he has not even the advantage
ful of goods from foreign states.
have sold melons in Denver for zoe per
crate, have sold melons in California
for less than SOC per crate, I have sold
melons in san Antonio that did not
pay the freight, I have sold them in
New Jersey at a loss of 75c per crate
Why did I do this2 Because I thought
from Information furnished me by COM
mission merchants I would get a good
profit. 1t would be very interesting to
know how much the Colorado and Cali
fOrnia farmers make on produce they
divert to FL Paso commission men Our
home markets are not organized in the
interest of the home producers and
commission men of El Paso find it to
their interest to discourage such an
organization
What the Farmer Must stand.
Why just think what the valley
farmer is expected to do. He must buy
seed, plow, plant, cultivate his crop,
drouth, fight bugs, make an outlay of
money for crates, pay interest land
taxes on twice the producing value Of
land All this great outlay on a guess
that the FL Paso produce men can't
catch the diverted cars from foreign
states. They catch them so often that
times are very hard for the valley
farmer. He has not visited the Cali
fornia resorts. he has had no vacation.
Hard work and hard times have come
his way so long he feels discouraged
He does not object to the hard work
in the hot sun, but the hard times are
his because he has failed to collect his
share Of the price paid by consumer for
what he has produced.
Definite Proposition.
To any one or all of the produce men
Of FL Paso I make the following prop
Osit;on:
For the season Of 1914 I will grow
you 50 acres or more of cantaloupes
You furnish the crates. I grow them.
pick them and pack them, deliver them
at the station for rs cents per crate
You may select seed but I will pay for
them Furthermore I willy accept your
inspection as to quality AMI pack. In
order to prevent you coming into COM
petition with Colorado melons I viii
have the contract terminate on August
10th
will pick, pack, furnish crates, de-
HVer at station from 10 acres of tOma-
toes, upwards, at 1-2 cents per pound
1t would seem that since YOU were
unable to get cantaloupes at s125 per
standard crate that you would be anx-
lous to buy at IS cents per standard
crate It would also seem to be to your
advantage to know in advance where
you could get sure and certain sup
ply and not have to take any chances.
My long experience in growing these
crops qualify me to secure the very
best results.