The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-13


 ganizers of this company put their heads together, and decided they had not got ten the key to the situation figure IS hard and late as long and tediously as they possibly could, so like all men who eventually prove themselves big. called for help.
 OBSTACLES IN THE WAY
 They found that they were first con- lronted with labor conditions; then they learned that vegetables shipped to Bir- mingham for canning purposes would can just as they looked when they ar rived here, and would never be improved by canning. In other words, hog's ear would not make silk purse Then they had freight rate disasters to wreck their plans on paper.
 They had, worst of all lack of uni formity in varieties of vegetables planted TOT canning and an utter disregard for standard cans, crates and labels, as well as grades in goods. They at once recog- hized that they would have to establish a standard brand of tomatoes, beans, okra and sweet potatoes if they hoped to build a permanent business that would keep the farmers raising vegetables for their cannery, and keep the housewives buying their products They must place a product on the market of uniform grade, package and label, properly crated and stamped to conform to a set stanu- ard.
 This brought on more research and in- vestigation, and in the course of this sur vey they secured the cooperation of Commissioner of Agriculture J. A. Wade of Montgomery, O. F. Ford. president C. H. Mathis, Alabama's famous woman farmer; Professor Duncan of Auburn, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, prominent Alabama bankers, and others interested in the welfare of the state This assistance proved of great value to the promoters of the Alabama Marketing and Canning company, and resulted in an entire change of their programme.
 THE FINAL PLAN On March 15, they organized, with the following plan perfected, according to J. E. Ramsey, secretary treasurer: "Our plan in brief is to form canning clubs, wherever practical, where the members may unite and establish fac tory of sufficient capacity to take care of the crops for the entire community. To have all communities plant the same varieties of seeds to insure uniform qual- ity. To furnish frequent letters of ad- vice as to the best varieties of vegetables to grow, the soil most suitable and meth ods of cultivation that will give best re- suits. To supply an estimate of the cost of equipment necessary for proposed acreage. To instruct. free of charge in the Birmingham factory. one person se- lected by the community club to operate it's plant, To carry in stock. in Birming- ham, for prompt shipment as may be needed from time to time, a full line of the latest improved steam pressure can ming outfits, cans, crates, labels and accessories, for home, farm, orchard and community canning work. To establish a reputation on Alabama canned goods, and create permanent demand by mar keting all products packed according to instructions, under uniform copyrighted brands.
 "The estimates of yields per acre are taken from reports made by a number ot experienced growers in this section and are based on the lowest prices at which any of the 1917 pack Is being contracted l for fall delivery. and are much lower than prices for immediate delivery. If pres l ent prices prevail throughout the year, the profits will double the amount esti- | mated
 "As manufacturers and selling agents, l we will be in position at all times to se- l cure the highest market prices and be- l leve the actual results will be much bet 1 ter than above conservative estimates. l If our directions and instructions are l carefully followed, the only risk will be ] crop failure
 BEANS
 1 The principal vegetables for canning, their yield and profit to the producer can safely rely upon are:
 i Beans will average 150 bushels per | acre One bushel will fill 27 No. ? cans. The crop from one acre, averaging 15O bushels, will fill 4000 No. ? cans If sold at l the lowest price now being quoted, for ] 1917, S1 per dozen f. O. b. factory, and fig- uring the usual prices paid by factories, of 50 cents per bushel of S5 pounds for beans, and customary prices paid for la l bor cans and all materials would show I a net profit of S70 per acre. Where mem bers grow the beans, and furnish their own labor, the net profit would be $215 1 per acre, labor, the net profit would be s216 per acre
 TOMATOES
 One bushel of tomatoes will fill 24 No. l2 cans The crop from one acre, aver aging l66 bushels will fill 4000 No. ? cans. If sold at the lowest price now being quoted for 1917 pack, Sl per dozen f. o. b. l factory, and figuring the usual price paid by factories, 40 cents per bushel Of 60 pounds for tomatoes and customary 1 prices paid for labor, cans and all mate rials, would show net profit of SS2 per acre Where members grow the toma- toes and furnish their own labor, the net profit would be s155 per acre.
 SWEET POTATOES One bushel of sweet potatoes will fill