Evening journal., 1917-06-29
@RlPes LOW
r@ FOR BERRIES
Collect 3 Cents When Con-
sumerS Pay Is TO 20
a Quart
FARMERS BALK
AT ORGANIZING

a / OhOAlNlLilNO
GEORGETOWN. Del. June ~
rhe strawberry season on the Eastern
shore Is about over and more clearly
han ever have the farmers been
shown that until they organize into a
leiling company they VII be at the
mercy OF the buyers. Not only is this
true OF strawberries, but with other
perishable fruits or vegetables. The
strawberry crop is one which must
De moved quickly. When ripe they
must be picked and sold no matter
what the price or the condition of the
market
Be It said to the credit OF the rail-
road company that Notwithstanding
The enormous demands made upon It
this year, It has stood by the farmer
and the big shipments have moved
splendidly up the line. Altho car
shortage was feared the railroad
company oiled its great machinery,
and in consequence there were plenty
OF cars and the trains moved out on
time Arriving in the big city Yards
there was more or less delay conse
auent upon the other big movements
OF freight but taking It an together
the railroad IS 20 be congratulated
upon its work The farmers Of the
Eastern Shore. as a rule have appre-
ciated the splendid work they have
done.
With the buyers. however. u has
been a different question. When
strawberries were selling IN tho city
markets for as much as TO and 20
cents a quart. the growers we're paid
Rs low as cents a quart. and in con-
sequence mapy OF the growers simply
stopped picking and allowed the bei-
rics 10 rot IN the fields.
The only remedy, according 70 In
vestigators, will be the organization
OF growers for the purpose OF mar
keting their own crops I'm similar
way to that used by the California
fruit growers Unfortunately, II Is the
farmer himself who Is holding up
this important move Suspicious OF
each other and afraid that one neigh
Dor may get a slight advantage. they
refuse to organize.
Some day the farmers Of the East
ern Shore will be organized but the
man who performs that immense
task will be hguratively crucihed by
his friends and neighbors. II viii be
q task which will meet with com
mendation year9 after II Is accom-
plished. So far no martyr TO the
cause has vet been found.
In some sections very good prices
are received, the Georgetown section
being one OF the most fortunate in
that respect. Here the prices remain
fairly good throughout the season and
!, most OF the growers are able TO show
a 'falr bank account at the end OF the
season But in the Fruitland and the
BridReville sections and some parts OF
lower Maryland. the loss has been
heavy. The strawberry industry has
been dealt n heavy blow from which
It VIII not recover in years
The methods OF the buyers could
probably be followed by the farmers.
II they would be willing 10 accept n
present loss for a future gain. an idea
hard for the average grower 20 under
stand If growers would refuse TO acs
cept low prices Il would be a short
time before the buyers would come 20
terms The growers. however. will
not organize, so that when one man
refuses to sell at low prices the ma
iority will sell at any price. and the
buyers are wei aware OF this fact
When a group OF buyers 20 TO a
marketing center the first thing they
are compelled 70 do Is TO make peace
with the big local man. This man must
receive a certain amount on every
crate OF strawberries shipped out OF
that town or he will make trouble
How VIII he make trouble? Easy
enough. With the buyers who stick
with him he will jump in the market
and absolutely refuse ~ allow the
offender to purchase anything except
at exorbitant prices. The attempt "a
purchase berries without giving the
local man his rake-off has been tried
too often with a disastrous endinl
for buyers TO try Il any more. In con
sequence. the first thing they d,
when they arrive is to join the poo
with the local buyer at the head
Does the buyer have to pay thi
commission? Not at all 10 comes bac
10 him in lowered prices For m
night before the buyers get togothe
one man wants a carload. anothe
three carloads. and so on. The ne,
days buying is apportioned price
set. or rather the average set. so IN,
load or two can be bought az b
prices 10 encourage the growers. A
the berries bought for the first ia
hour Of the day may 80 70 one ma
until he gets his carload filled az
then another buyer gets the next ca
and so on until all get their orde
filled at the prices before arrange
II a grower kicks he is al once blac
listed and his berries are refused
any price, he Is up against It. ard &
though all kick privately. il is han
N get one n mako a nufffr cfafnrno @.
Tor he fears the consequence.
IL L. =