Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1923-02-03
LETTUCE SLUMP
CAUSED BY POOR
QUALITY. CHARGE
Meeting of Lettuce In
terests Saws Pack too
Small, Immature
More Rigid Inspection,
No Sunday Packing
Recommended

That the present slump III the
lettuce market is due to the small
size and poor quality shipped in
the last few weeks, was the con-
sensus of opinion among the lettuce
growers who met yesterday ut the
Barbara Worth hotel to the mum
Der of leo, to discuss the present
situation aud devise means for
remcdying it.
The charge was made by several
growers that the lettuce is being
picked too early. before it is full"
maturcd and that in many cases it
should be allowed to stay in the
fields from five to 10 days longer
The fact that this lettuce reaches
, the markets in poor condition is the
fault of none but the growers, was
charged. and they should see to it
that only matured lettuce is pick
ed.
Larger Pack Decided
Just how large the pack should
considerable discussion. The pro-
position was made that only shin
ments of four dozen heads to crate
be made. This drew forth the opin-
ion that forr and one half or
five dozen crate would be prefer
able, and after several growers and
shippers had been heard in support
and against the four dozen propo-
sition, vote was taken and it was
decided that for the next IA days
nothing smaller than four, and one
half dozen be packed in the Draw
ley crates and nothing smaller than
four dozen in the Los Angeles
crates and that the lettuce be fully
matured and heavy pack. 1t was
believed that this method would re-
store the stability of the market
better than n complete shutdown
for short period as was suggested
to the growers. 1t was pointed out
that a short shutdown would be fol
action was taken to prevent flooding
shipments which would bring an
other period of decentralization to
the market. .a
Stop Sunday Work
The proposition of not cutting
lettuce on SUNDAYS was discussed
and it was finally decided to stop
cutting on Saturday noon and not
resume until Monday morning. This
Waite cen report the names of those
the market with lettuce. The mar
kets only operate practically speak
ing five and one half DAYS week,
and for the growers to keep their
shipments running each dav, has
meant a surplus amount of lettuce
in the markets over the weekend,
with n consequent reduction in the
strength of the markets.
Horticultural Commissioner +. w.
Waite, addressed the meeting Oh the
subject of lettuce inspection. Mr..
Waite stated that at previous
meeting of the lettuce men early
in the season, it was agreed that
each should pay so cents per car
load to defrav the expense of in
specting the lettuce. This has not
been done in the majority of eases
and he stated something had TO be
done about it if a satisfactory in,
spection of lettuce is to continue.
The meeting finally agreed to APP
point committee to which Mr..
Waite can repo trthe names of those
who are not paving their inspec,
ton assessment after having agreed
to do so.
No Organization Formed
Contrary to expectations, there
was no discussion of the subject Of
cooperative marketing, nor was
the formation of a permanent orga-
nization discussed.
The growers seemed to realize
that the trouble with the industry
has been caused bv themselves and
that the remedy for the existing
evils rest with themselves. All
agreed that the practice of picking
lettuce too early has raised havoc
with the market, long before the
season 5 peak has been reached, and
that though the present situation
is unfortunate, it can be elimira;"'
by carefulncss in packing and ship
ping only the best quality of let
tuce.
A. II. Keller, vice president Of
the First National Bank of this
city presided at the meeting, with
John o 'Brien of the W. s. Fawcett
ranch acting as secretary. Prae-
tically every prominent grower,
shipper and packer in the valley
was represented at the meeting.