Arizona republican., 1917-11-16

Macaroni Spaghetti and Vermicelli are three commodities in general de- mand over this territory and Barker is largely instrumental in supplying them to the trade.
 Fresh Vegetables
 Barker makes an effort always to have his two establishments well stocked with fresh vegetables, bunch stuff the year round, and specialties in season. Artichokes and Hubbard are at present two of the spe- cialties on hand. Also in the fruit line there are on hand now Cassaba melons, Dew melons, Christmas melons. Shelled walnuts are still another spe- cialty being handled in the nut line.
 Cranberries
 Cranberries are now right in the midst of the season, Barker handling carload shipments from the largest dis tributors of the Atlantic seaboard.
 Grapes
 Then, too. for the fall trade Barker has pomegranates, quinces, persim- mons, allegator pears and pineapples, and last but by no means the least, grapes of every variety There has recently arrived a solid carload of Concord grapes from the east, which is somewhat of an innovation for this market. Grapes, such as the Muscats, Moroccos, Emperors, have been arriving in carload lots from Califor- nia for weeks, but this is the first of the Concords, in such large shipment, to reach Phoenix from the east. Bart lett pears are also being sold.
 Valley Earliest Producer
 The Salt River valley is the earliest producer of a number of fine market such as potatoes, canta- loupes, watermelons, peaches and april cots. The Barker company of course plays a prominent part in the distribu- tion of these commodities. The Ari- zona cantalOupe has become noted all- over the country, especially in the eastern cities, with the result that the cantaloupe season in the Salt River valley is one of day and night activity. lasting about six weeks.
 The watermelons, like the canta- loupes, are extra early for the remain der of the United States. These melons are shipped out in carloads in every Then come the apricots and peaches. But the season for the april cots, peaches and watermelons lasts pretty much throughout the summer, the Arizona people an abun- dant supply from their own groves or fields
 Barker however handles-the fruits of California, bringing them in 70 make up gaps in the seasons here or supply ing them when the market is short In the matter of tomatoes. This market has to depend much upon California during the hottest period of summer, when local tomatoes burn on the vines. When the cool weather sets in the tomato vines again bring forth their fruit, making the valley again self sustaining.
 Soft Drinks
 The change, or what might be termed the revolution, in drinks, com pulsory or otherwise, that has been brought about through the prohibition movement. has opened a new field for the produce man. Barker, besides be- ing the distributor in this territory for number of soft drinks, such as root beer, has added to his list the near beer or hop drinks known as Buck and EXcelso. These beers have sprung into great popular favor with men and women who formerly drank beer car rying five or more per cent of alcohol. These beers are manufactured from hops and the other grains used in alco- holic beer, but with the alcohol re- moved, leaving the drink with practi- cally the same taste as the old a1eo- holic beer, but without the intoxicating effects.
 Valley Cheese
 The Salt River valley cheese is known over a large territory. Barker deals extensively in this cheese. Corn husks for the making of tamales are handled on large scale by Barker. Pink beans are also extensively handled.
 Barker Territory
 The John F. Barker Produce con- pany that deals almost wholly in car- load lots has a rich territory to serve It includes beside Phoenix and Tucson, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale, Buckeye and in fact all the Salt River valley towns and all the territory north as far as Jerome It reaches over east to include Hayden, Ray, Superior. Winkelman, Kelvin and other mining towns of that region. The Phoenix establishment does an exten- sive business in the mining town of Ajo. The Tucson establishment reaches south to the border. doing a large business Tn Nogales and covering the southern part of the state as far-east as the Warren mining district.
 Phoenix Establishment
 The Phoenix salesroom and office cover a floor area of about 50x150 feet. This store on West Jefferson street has a warehouse in the rear and an- other warehouse in the old Goldman building on South Central avenue be- tween Jefferson and Washington streets. The Tucson establishment is similar to the one in Phoenix and the business done there about equals the business of the Phoenix store.
 John E. Barker is president and gen. eral manager and J. R. Quinn, secre- tary and treasurer. Mir. Quinn has been with the company for five years, but has always been in the produce business. He is considered, like MT. Barker, one of the most capable pro- duce men in the country. Both he and Mir. Barker are men of pleasing, at tractive personality.
 BRAWLEY VEGETABLE CROPS
 BRAWLEY. Collaborating to the best local information, the acreage of lettuce in the Brawley district will be