American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-04-23

Berlin, Germany.-Here In Germany
the farmer successfully sells his prod
uct direct to the city retailer while in
America it is almost impossible for the
farmer to get into the city. In fact
American cities are practically quaran-
tined against the farmer so far as
selling direct is concerned.
1.-THE farmer who tries to sell his
product in the city is up against It,"
said the president of a New York cor
poration. At the suggestion of one Of
our officers we last year raised a
small lot Of very fine potatoes on some
of our vacant lands. We thought we
were business men but selling those
potatoes vas too much for us. We
found hat the retailers had contracts
with jobbers for their years supply.
The jobbers and wholesalers we're
shipping in their potatoes in carload
lots and they did not care for the few
bushels we had. Even the hotels had
either bargained for their years sup
ply or would not make a contract with.
anyone who could not furnish all hat
they might need during the year
In fact no one in the whole city
wanted our potatoes. We were COM
PEELED to practically give them away.
1t opened our eyes. We know now
what the farmer is up against in the
city markets when he has anything to
sell. The farmer a NO longer sell
a product without going from house
to house as a peddler. AS business is
now conducted his situation is hope
less. 1t seems to me that it is cooper
alive marketing or nothing for the far
mer."
Colorado Peach Grower Has Trouble.
Nowhere on earth do they raise bet
ter peaches than in Colorado. Recent
ly in an exceptionally good year one
grower marketed 10000 boxes of fine
peaches in the usual way expecting
big returns. When the final settle
ment arrived he took it home so that
his wife and children who had helped
with the work might enjoy it with
him. When he opened the envelope he
found first a long and detailed state
ment which he did not fully compre-
hend. But turning to the accompany.
ing letter he read this paragraph: y
think we are fortunate indeed, in view
of all the circumstances, to find that
no liability stands against us. If you
will send us your draft for $50 this
will close the account and no further
liability will attach to you" Finally
1t soaked in that the result Of the en-
tire year was a loss of $50.
But he possessed himself in pa
thence and thought it all over. From
inquiry he learned that while retail
prices we're good, the peaches had
passed through the hands Of six to
eight persons each of whom had taker
out a profit. No one person had robbed
him. No one had been dishonest. M
one had made excessive profits. Eacf
one had simply looked out for himself
The farmer had been fool enough no
to do the same thing.
Farmer. Tries to Sell Direct.
The next year st the opening of thu
season the grower went to the Denvei
retailer who had handled his product
He was glad to find that his peache.
of the previous easOn had arrived II
good shape, had been readily sold, an
had brought a good price. The deale.
said he would be glad indeed to han
die his peaches again if possible. Thel
the grower demonstrated with pencil
and paper that the grower by seillni
directly to the retailer would doubi
his own return. double the retailer
] profit and still leave ample margin 10
all expenses Intervening. The retaile
gave a respectful hearing but slowl
shook his head. Nothing doing b
said. IF I buy my peaches directl
from you the wholesalers will sugges
that I buy M %pineapples and banana
of you too. l tried 1t once. 1t did no
take them long to get wise. was IL
formed that il l ever did that again
would not be able to buy n fruit L
the city. You can't blame them 10
they think they are protecting tnei
business in the only possible way
Inquiries OF retailers in other part
of the city brought the same answer
II was absolutely impossible Tor IN
grower to market his fruit In the CIT
Of Denver.