Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-27
THE ATLANTA TRI-WEEKLY JOURNAL.

20
would they prefer Georgia peas beans and
vegetable of every kind. But if there is no
certainty OF where and when they can buy,
and scant assurance of what they are buying,
they are constrained to turn to sources Of
supply that are regular and dependable.
By no means Is this true of all Georgia
products; of some it is emphatically not true.
Georgia peaches are famed the nation over
because they are standardized, graded, pack
ed and Stripped as becomes their Incompatible
lusciousness. Georgia melons, Georgia Pc
cans, Georgia cane syrup, and, when due care
is taken, Georgia yams are all queens and
kings Of the market. Georgia apples, from
we'll managed orchards, enjoy rare, wide
reaching reputation; as do also Georgia ham
and bacon, when competently handled. Let
the same efficiency of foresight and coopera-
ton be applied to the marketing of Georgia
corn, and there will be little difficulty in con-
verting it into cash at the best of prevailing
prices. T..
methods and facilities which make for the
successful marketing of our peaches and
other favored products were not developed
in day, nor through the individuals un-
aided effort They are the outgrowth of
modest beginnings, of thoughtful experiment.
and of liberal cooperation. Many Georgia
orchardist remembers time when sales were
uncertain, improbable, and the entire bust
ness of dispUsng of the fruit filled with vex-
alton and hazard. But gradually, as the
prising minds, ways to improvement ap
peared. Gradually, as first one and then an
other farsighted grower began to grade and
standardize and cooperate, the rank and file
learned the value of such methods. Thus
were carelessness and confusion turned into
order, losses into gains, and a precarious
adventure into a stable and prosperous in
dustry. But there was teaching before there
was learning; there was enlightened leader
ship before the forward march popularity
began,
"Of course, realize Decatur county
banker tells The Journal that in many
places there is lack Of facilities for market
ing diversified crops; but in many instances
too, the greater difficulty is that products are
not standardized, that farmers do not coop
crate, and that they do not grasp the impor
lance, the downright NECESSITY of putting
the fruits of their fields into marketable
FORMS" 1t appears, moreover, that some are
disposed to resent proffered counsel and aid
in these matters, in which case their handi-
caps become peculiarly heavy and difficult.
But stubbornest of these ills will yield at
last to .tactful and persistent education. 1t
may take months, it may take years; but at
whatever cost of patient effort, adequate
means and efficient methods of marketing
food crops must be provided if Georgia is to
prosper and progress.
Fundamental to all other education in
this field are the common schools, the dis
trict agricultural schools, and the State Col
of pertinent and important work to be done
by leaders in business and banking, as we'll
as by forward-thinking farmers themselves.
The enterprising citizens of every community,
those particularly that are centers of agri-
cultural production, should take common
counsel on the market problems that most
directly concern-and all are concerned one
way or another The outstanding need may
be for grain elevator, for a potato curing
plant, for a canning factory, for refrigeration
and packing facilities, or for a cooperative
organization among growers-this last al
most certainly. Whatever the needs, it is
the duty of business leaders to aid in sup
plying them, and assuredly it is to their in
terest to do so. That the task is difficult and
sometimes verging upon disbursement, is
not to be denied. But it is of the utmost
Importance to Georgia's economic security
and Development; it must be done, howso-
ever laborious and at times battling.
Nor will it prove as hard as first appear
ances may indicate if it is studied concretely
and if those seeking betterment work gener
ously together. The more that is definitely
ascertained concerning the market problem,
both Of the State as whole and Of the sew
eral counties, the easier will it be to work
out effective solutions. Lack of understand
ing is ofttimes owing to lack of information.
The more facts we can muster into the fore
ground of this wide question, the better pre-
pared we shall be to master it and to serve
those great human as we'll as economic in
terests which it involves. To this labor The
Journal and the Country Bankers Associa-
ton are now intellectually committed and
they cordially invite, from all quarters, sug
geston and aid.