The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-02
ROOVER'S MESSAGE
TO THE WHOLESALERS
Conservat ton of Perishable Vegetables
and Fruits la Pressing Need of
Nation At Thin Time.

The most immediate duty Of all dis
t%ributing forces IN the nation at this
season Is to aid in the conservation Of
perishahle vegetables and ruits that
will mature within the next few
months.
II they are properly conserved by
the housewife in her home or by local
agencies. there win he saved an equiva-
lent amount Of the racTory-canned
foods ana other staples that our coun-
try and her allies will urgently need
during the period OF the war.
The country has successfully made
great EFFORTS to Increase the pro.
duction OF vegetables this year. There
will be a large surplus. The important
problem now is to place every possible
pound OF this surplus in the scales
against the world enemy. You can
render an u~ndoubted national service
by helping to turn this surplus to the
national good in these three important
ways:
/. when fresh vegetables are avail
able, the consumers should be induced
to use them and SO to save equivalent
quantities Of the great staples which
latter can readily be saved for the win
ter.
The diet OF the United States cora
prises only II per cent vegetables. and
this amount should be doubled. not only
as a war measure but to improve pub
lie health and to lower the prices Of
f~oodstufs.
2 Producers and consumers should
be urged wherever possible to store
various vegetables as. for example.
ROOFS, cabba Res and the like. They may
be purchased in season when the prieea
are comparatively low. and safely
stc-a3 - ,-oi ALL 1gar%41,saA ry.-.n
Home Canning.
g. A considerable part OF the surplus
OF fruits and vegetables may be used
by canning IN the home or in comnun-
ity centsrs.
I am confident that you viii. In the
various communities, INCREASINGLY de-
vote your personal energies through
local organizations and In other ways
TO these important national needs.
The department of agriculture and
other departments OF the government
are making a countrywide campaign
among housewives 70 induce them 60
can in the home unusual quantities of
perishab}e vegetables ard fruits that
come upon the market in large quar-
titles during the summer months.
Wholesale and retail Erocers should be
prepared to meet the demand for glass
jars that will follow this government
campaign, TO be ready to supply them
! quickly and AT a low margin of profit.
encouragement 70 Canning.
The wholesale grocer should encour-
age the retailer 70 handle glass Jars for
home Gamers. 1t is clearly a patriotic
duty In this national crisis TO sell these
glass Jars, as well as foodstuTs, on the
lowest reasonable margin OF pront.
You should induce the newspapers In
your various localities to publish the
fact that the housewives can obtain
-.
The wholesalers and the retailers
should use their influence In their cities
: or towns to the home-can-
ming OF p~erishahle foods during the
season when they arive In the market
in large quantities. having IT under
stood hat by the preservation of veg
etables and fruits in this manner an
equivalent amount OF factory-canned
foods, or other foods that may be scarce
later on. will be saved for ourselves
and our allies.
Organize Clubs and Societies.
Housewives should be encouraged to
buy and pack IN this manner ali the
fresh vegetables and fruits that they
can procure and use, thus tending to
! relieve the giuts. TO reduce the needs
of the household for commercially
canned foods during the remainder OF
the year, and likewise 60 prevent the
spoilage of great quantihaes of such
~peri.hahle foods.
II there is no organization in your
| town or city through which the house
wives can be reached in such a cam
paign, / trust you will assist us in the
organization OF a Gus or society for
the purpose Of carrying out this vital
feature of the war program.
There ts here a very definite oppcr.
tunity for service. VIII not each OF
you accept personal responsibility In
this work. Your practical business
ability, your experience in organization
can in this and in countless other ways,
many of which have already come to
your attention. be turned to account to-
day and every day through to the end
against the common enemy.