The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-07-31

County Agent v. E. Brubaker. who
re emily 81 ent two days going over the
Door County Cherry district. He hopes
to give few facts which will be of in-
teresc to Cherry growers of Bayfield, &c.
Some eighteen years ago a few men
interested in Horticulture were at
tracted toward Door county district,
ing in mind that this country was so
located and contaised soil conditions
for permanent commercial cherry
growing. Since that date the planting
of cherry trees have gradually in
creased until recently three hundred
growers have orgasized and called
themselves "The Door County Grow
ers' Union"
Why They Organize.
Probabaly few of the growers real
ibzed when they planted their first
cherry tree, that they were not only
beginning a period of production of a
perishable goods, but also begisning
another problem of marketing this
perishable goods.
The first six years of the life of
cherry consists of a period of time
during which the successful grower
spends a great amount of energy in
cultivation, pruning, spraying, etc..
asd no doubt finds himself asking just
what his labor, investment, manageri-
al ability, will earn for him when the
orchard has reached--we will say ten
years of age. / heard one grower re-
mark that he realized considerable
more off his ten year old orchard, had
he not grown any crops whatever be-
twees his cherry trees during the first
six years, but followed clean cultiva-
ton with an occasional clover crop
plowed under.
But after all these years of anxious
waiting the grower finds his trees load
ed with splendid, we'll shaped and
colored fruit and has a real feeling
of comfort asd satisfaction, since he
is now ready to turn over high-class
food 20 the consumer--he only finds he
has done half his task. Oh, yes, he
has many admirers of his splendid
product, some of whom are buyers OF
such goods. What does he hear, no
thing but low and unsatisfactory pric-
es, which makes a set profit out of
the question. Jones may ask his
neighbor Brown, what his success has
been and Brown finds the same diff
Guilty. The question is, how did they
solve probably the most important
step in cherry growing--the marketisg
problem, Well, getting down to rock
bottom principles of the survival of
the fittest, Jones, Brown and others
found there was a real need, an eco
nomical seed, of organization among
all cherry growers. When this had
been fully realized by the majority of
the cherry growers in Door county,
they put together the best material
obtainable among themselves and
which is now successfully marketing
their crop. They have established GER
tais grades and market accordingly
And to still better stabilize their pric-
es they own and operate canning
factory which takes care of unmar-
ketable stuff, as over ripe fruit and
possibly on days when prices are un.
satisfactory.
Own Canning Factory xMzl
At the beginsing of this season
many buyers were on the field to pur.
chase the cherries. Having gained cor
siderable publicity in previous season
the cherry crop in Ioor county has at
tracted Brokers anr Commission Ines
from many states. At present cost O
production, which includes care of th'
trees, picking, hauling, grading, pack
ing, etc, they soon found it was sec
essary. that they receive $500 pei
crate in car lots and $3.50 per crat,
in small shipments in order to realiz'
a substantial net earnisg. Dill the.
get this price and so, how are the,
able to command such prce?
This season they operate their owl
canning factory and with this addi
tional equipment they are able t
preserve and store their product TO
future marketing.
These buyers did not get Door Coun
ty cherries at their own prices bu
they did get number one fancy prod
uct at the growers prices, which n
doubt proved to be more satisfactor
to both buyer and consumer.
The canning factory also takes car
of all possible waste, such as cull'
seconds and oyer-ripe fruit whic
would not stand shipment and conan