Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-11-25
MONTANA FARM
PRODUCTS SHOW
fFrom Montana state Collegel

"HE Montana Farm Products Ex-
hibit" at Butte, November 1912.
i which included potatoes. apples.
cherries and honey. was an out
standing success in demonstrating to the
people of the largest consuming center
of the state the high quality Of these
products produced in the state, In the
opinion of F. M. Harrington. horticultur-
list at Montana State college. Mr.. Har-
rington points out, however, tina the
show was not an end in itself but q
means to an end, that producers, whole
salers, retailers and now must
act upon the many suggestions which
the Butte show presented. He explains
too that While the show was held at
Butte, the same problems n the same
means of solving them apply to other
producing and consuming centers OF the
state as we'll.
The show was a very effective means
of convincing of the value Of
Montana-grown products and has laid
the foundation for increased use of these
products in the state, thus gradually de-
creasing the percentage OF such products
which are imported from other states.
However, the horticulturist points out
that the ultimate success of the effort
depends as much upon the producer as
upon the
The show has created a desire for Mon
tana's high quality products as 1t DEM
onstrated that these products are pro-
duced here to q degree Of perfection not
exceeded anywhere. Each succeeding
show of this kind will convince more peo-
pie and in the end the products of the
farms of the state will receive the recog-
farmers of the state realize their respon-
sibility in the matter and continue to
supply Montana markets with the high
quality products demanded.
Therein lies the producers response
bility, says Mr.. Harrington. State pride
may be stimulated by a Buy Montana
| Products" slogan, but there can be nc
kets as a dumping ground for culls or
act under the assumption that proper
| grading and packing Is not necessary for
Montana
1t is apparent that neither wholesalers
nor of the state deliberately
discriminate against the products of
Montana farms, he says. Where 1t has
become customary to import large guam
titles of fruits, vegetables and other farm
produce from neighboring state, the
practice became established because Mon
tana products were not available in the
desired quality or quantity or at the
times when needed. Those who must
supply customers throughout the year
naturally look to the sources where they
tbEl ~ - ~ INV A4S 1A1lGI1i
The obligation of the Montana pro-
ducer is evident, in MIR. Harrington's
opinion. He must meet and overcome
his competition in the only way that
competition can be met and overcome. by
producing and marketing products that
are a little more desired than are those
of his competitors.
Many Montana products are high quail
ity, a benevolent nature which includes
such things as soil, climate, altitude and
rainfall, has attended to that. But all
potatoes from a field, all apples from an
orchard or all honey from q hive annot
be considered of excellent quality. There
are culls on every farm and, according
to the horticulturist, they should stay
there. 1t is far better to destroy infer
Tor products than to mix them with
those that are good. 1t is as essential to
maintain a reputation for high quality
as it is to create 1t. If regulations can
be made over night they may be de-
stroyed in even less time by displaying
culls in the public market places.
Thus, MIR. Harrington points out, the
Butte show is but a link in an endless
chain. Every shipment of products from
farm to city or town is another link, all
of which together are responsible for
creating the confidence which causes the
consumer to ask for the product from
this or that place. One poor shipment
may destroy the chain and the conf
denoe goes with it. Montana producers
must grade and pack their products,
feeding culls to livestock or destroying
them II necessary, and they must con-
tinue to do SO. When quality standards
are set up and maintained, markets will
follow. the horticulturist maintains.