Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-25
distribution Still the Problem.

This wear witnesses in various parts OF
the country, and especially in our sec
ton. the perplexing problem of ample
crops. but with such inefficient means OF
distribution-to say nothing of other diff
ficulties-that the people generally are
unable to supply their reasonable de-
mands at fair prices. Here is situation
that calls for serious consideration. Tor IT
is one that inHicts injury upon two classes
the farmer and the consumer.
From Kent county. Md, last week.
came story of one disgusted farmer. with
a large field of unpicked tomatoes on ms
farm. offering to give the product oil the
vines to all who would come and help
themselves, but with few availing them
selves of the liberal offer. Had he been
within convenient distance OF Wilmington
or some other populous centre, no DOUBT
his crop of tomatoes would have been
speedily and greedily collected and taken
away.
The tomato season has been most ag-
gravating to the farmers of the Delaware
Peninsula Incited by last years hlgh
returns, they planted largely increased
acreage and raised prolific crops. But they
were unable to make satisfactory DIS
position of their tomatoes, many OF the
canneries refraining from handling to-
matoes this year. on account OF serious
inability to procure supplies of tin cans
From Sussex county and adjacent ter
ritory come grievous complaints OF serious
losses on the cantaloupe crop, and on water
melons also. The supply is large. but the
prices which farmers receive at the SNIP
ming stations are much lower than they
can see any profit in.
Yet in the face of these prolific crops of
tomatoes, cantaloupes and watermeions,
the people of Wilmington, and doubtless OF
manv other communities, have been
compelled to pay excessive retail prices for
these products, as we'll as for other iarin
products. 1t is probable that an appalling
quantity of good farm produce VIII 60 10
the hogs. or to actual waste, as result OF
these unsatisfactory conditions, when
have wrought havoc in all directions
Here is subject. for all interested to
consider with view to ascertainng II
remedy cannot be applied. Surely IN I'M .
enlightened age, with so many vast I'M
provenents in both production and means
Of TRANSFORMATION, something should Dc
devised TO regulate the matter OF gathering
crops. transporting them to market. ana
disposing of them to consumers at rates
that would bring compensatory returns 70
! all engaged in the business and enable tle
! people to purchase all they desire AT rea-
/ sonable prices. When there are plenty OF
crops and plenty of people desirous OF
/ balving them, il seems little short OF
crime to allow any products TO go 70
waste or the wants of any consumers 70 go
unsatisied.
They worked these matters much bet
ter half a century ago, notwithstanding
the facilities for hauling and the facilities
for transporting products to market Dy
| steamboats, and railroads were lar peio"
| what they are today. And now Iieie ~ '4'N
additional advantage of the parcel post,
with opportunities for direct dealings pc
tween farmers and city customers, ana
transportation to the latter by motor
| trucks.
Perhaps some explanation OF this year
aggravating conditions lies IN a failure oil
both farmers and consumers TO take
proper advantage of the parcel post ser
vice. In foreign countries it has proved a
mutual benefit to a great extent May 1t
not prove equally so in our country!
But at least something should be done
to prevent good food products gong 70
waste in the face of demand on the part
of consumers that would afford proht TO
the farmers if they could meet it fully
1