Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-02-03
4 4 = 4 4 = = 4 = = 4 y 4 4 i
MARKETING OF PRODUCE

Editor Capital Journal: 1t is re-
freshing to read the crisp, spicy report
of the addresses delivered by the two
o. A. c. professors delivered in the
commercial club room last Saturday on
marketing farm products.
But there were some statements made
/ by the speakers which were not report
ed, but which are of more than passing
| interest.
For instance, Prof. Bouquet said he
thought that about all of tne vege-
tables were now grown in the vicinity
of Salem for which there was market
! He thought Marion county had fertile
soil but doubted that we had any land
tnat would grow good commercial on
ions; that the onions grown even in
Lake Labish were too soft and would
sprout.
Now, why find so much fault with
the Marion county farmers when the
demand for vegetables is already fully
supplied and since Marion county has
no onion soil farmers should follow
the professor S advice and not try to
grow any onions.
As to the vegetables on sale in the
Salem stores of which Professor Bou-
quet was so critical, took occasion to
investigate this matter and found
full supply of as fine vegetables as /
had ever seen in any market. I bought
some of the cabbage, carrots and pars-
nips and have used them on our table.
In quality as well as in appearance
we have found them first class. The
professor must have gone to a good
deal of trouble to find tine inferior
vegetables which he brought to the
commercial club room to use in ridi.
culing the Marion county farmers.
The fact is, the professor seemed
considerably excited over having Just
read some clippings from The Capital
Journal which nad been contributed by
farmers; one of which was critical OF
so-called .'FBook Farmers. The profes-
sor seemed to think the shoe fit him
and he proceeded to throw it into the
| farmers.
Professor Bouquet, however, did not
spare the commercial club. He ridicul-
ed the shacks provided for public
market. He said good, comfortable
booths should be constructed, located
in the business center of the town and
placed under the supervision of a
competent market master. He referred
especially to the very successful public
market now in operation at Eugene
and advised the commercial club to
have the market master at Eugene
come to Salem and instruct the people
on the use, location and management
Of u public market.
The professor had a good deal to-
say about that high-soundmg word,
standardization. But we, who have
tried to standardize our products, find
that local merchants pay us no more
for our extra labor than they pay those
who "dump' their produce ON the
market. Merchants will have to be-
more discriminating in their purchases
and consumers must be willing to pay
a much higher price for a standardized
lot OF fruit or vegetables if tney want
them supplied in that form. The labor
cost in grading and packing is high
and must be paid by the consumer
When the purchasing power Of consum-
Crs is low as at present, the thrifty
housewife will buy tne most food that
her limited amount of money will pur-
chase without much regard to fancy.
pack. This is Illustrated by the slow
sale of nicely graded and boxed Hood
River apples which cost the grower
about one dollar per box f. o. b. Hood
River. When these apples are dis
tributed they must sell for above 81 80
per box or the grower suffers 4 loss
During the past several years the great
majority of consumers refused to pay
more than from fifty cents to one dol
lar per box for apples. The result is.
that Hood River growers who have
standardized their apples hnve
been poeketing loss.
The truth is the marketing problem
was far from solved by the speakers
at the commercial club last saturday
The fling which l.. II. McMahan took
at the farmers for not following his
lead was in line with the other talks
and as Mr.. McMahan is getting
wealthy as a fruit grower ON his big
ranch in Mission Bottom, what he said
should carry considerable weight.
Professor Mcpherson S address was
of real merit. He knew what ne was
talking about He warned the cities
against discouraging farming opera
tions either through impediments in
marketing farm products or charging
farmers high rates of interest ON loans.
He said If ambitious farmers become
discouraged they viii move to town,
the final result win he that the cities
will, themselves, tumble down for want
Of support.
We need more men Of the caliher OF
Professor Mcpherson to 20 up and