Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-08-15
All Report Fair Tomato Crops
Total Seasons Pack Estimated
At 100000 Cases
GENERAL OPINION QUOTES
UNFAVORABLE MARKET

The canning industry in this vicini-
ty has been considerably developed
within the last twelve months, advanc-
ing from single plant to three: r. l.
Lednum and the Mason Brothers in
side the city limits; and Gelder &
Jones, located on the N. Y, p. & N.
r. r. in Somerset county and on the
stone road about half a mile from
town.
r. l. Lednum is eldest in point Of
service along this line, having located
here from Preston, Caroline county in
1910, fifteen years ago. During this
period he has given his entire atten-
tion to the business, has gained the
good will Of the farmers by fair treat
mnt and has been successful in build
ing up large backing.
He is located on the River near the
foot of what would be Vine street eX-
tended. His buildings cover combin
ed area of between 10000 and 49,
900 square feet. These are equipped
with all the latest machinery, and this
year new up-to-date filters have been
installed-indeed the present eff
cheney Of his plant does away with all
handling of the fruit. except at the
initial skinning.
Mr.. Lednum has contracted for "a
bout 400 acres for his 1925 pack, and
is paying by weight at $16.50 per ton.
He is of the opinion that there will be
a falling off this year of about 80 per
cent, the yield producing about 31a
tons to the acre. With adequate help
he has capacity of pack of $4,000
cases, employing from 70 to 80 women
and 25 men and boys.
He considers the market outlook as
not specially encouraging. The mat
ter of supply and demand governs the
conditions, of course; but until the
jobbers can be convinced of short
age in the pack, there will be de-
preston in selling price.
Business at the Lednum plant start
ed on Wednesday, and things will soon
speed up as the crop ripens.
Messrs. Gelder & Jones are Somer-
set people, the former from Princess
Anne, the latter from Fairmount.
They have erected spacious buildings
and sheds at what is generally known
as Hayward's crossing, and are pre-
pared to handle an immense amount
of fruit.
Their floor space amounts altogeth-
er between 10000 and $4,000 So. feet,
and is equipped with the latest i'm
proved types of filters, cappers, cook
ers, and motive power.
They will employ about one hun
drd women and about 80 men and
boys. They are paying 2712 cents a
basket for fruit, and are contracted
for up to the limit. This firm will be
prepared in the near future to handle
other packs besides tomatoes. They
report a fair crop and opened up this
week.
The Mason Canning Company is 10.
Gated on Clarke avenue adjoining the
property of the Peninsula Produce Ex
change, and their building is the one
originally occupied by the Ashburr
G. King Lumber Co. 1t is splendid!
adapted for the purpose now intended
and presents a sturdy, substantial
construction. With the Improvement!
added by the Mason Company, sucl
as suitably drained concrete floors ant
platforms, etc., it makes an idea
house for the canning work, and con
tains about 10000 SO. #. of space. :.
This company has contracted for a
bout $50 acres of tomatoes, and viii
also pack sweet potatoes. They ar
paying $16.50 per ton for the former
are working about 1876 people, all told
and have a seasons capacity pack o
about 10000 cases OF tomatoes AM
5000 of potatoes.
They started work yesterday, ant
they expect to enlarge their plant t.
do general work if the farm product
so demand.
These gentlemen ccme from New
ark, Md, and are valuable assets t.
any community in which they reside
Indeed all the men engaged in thi
special line of business are busi