Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-10-26
Use Valley Products

Canning Of vegetables and fruits is destined TO
become one Of the most important industries in the
Lower Rio Grande Valley. A survey Of this section
should be sufficient TO convince the most skeptieal that
the quantity OF fruits and vegetables available for can
ming will depend entirely upon the development Of fu-
ture markets. The Valley can produce whatever the
markets can consume. 1t should also be borne in
mind that every dollar received in the Valley for can
ned goods represents cash received for what would
otherwise be wasted.
Valley Gamers cannot, Of course. afford to pay the
top prices received for vegetables by Valley growers
when the markets for fresh vegetables are good. But
they can and do pay a price that assures the Valley
grower a profit on his production, and the vegetables
and fruit processed by the Gamers would be wasted if
they did not provide the market for it.
Nc industry of this nature can thrive unless it
Is assured a good home market. transportation rates
play a part fully as important in the canning industry
as they do in the fresh vegetable industry. The Gamer
in order to make a profit must develop his market as
near home as possible. Shipments 20 distant points re-
duce or eliminate his profits, but the development Of
strong home markets assures q solid financial founda-
ton for the industry.
Inasmuch as the prosperity Of the Lower Rio
Grande Valley is to a great extent dependent upon
agriculture and its allied industries. it is obvious that
it is to the interest Of Valley people to give the can
ming industry all possible support. The best way to
do this is to build up the home market for Valley
canned products; to create here in the Valley a de-
mand for Valley vegetables and fruits throughout the
year.
II Is a rather anomalous condition which permits
the shipment Of tomatoes from Baltimore, string beans
from Wisconsin and canned spinach from Illinois into
the Valley to supply the Valley markets. 1t is true
that the majority Of Valley consumers are now de-
manding Valley canned products when they 90 into
their grocery stores. but that demand should be made
Valley-wide.
Those who are using the products Of the Valley
eanneries know that they are Of the highest quality.
The vegetables and fruit have that flavor which has
made the products Of the Valley famous on the north
ern markets. There is no logical reason why these
products Of the Valley canneries should not be used
throughout the Valley to the exclusion of all others.
This would not only be patronizing home industry, but
the consumer is assured Of securing q quality OF pro-
duct that cannot be surpassed.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley now has the largest
vegetable canning plant in the state Of Texas, and sew
eral smaller plants will be opened this year. These
plants will have an output that will be for greater than
the Valley can consume. but il they have the entire
Valley trade they will be practically assured Of finan-
eial success from the outset. The remainder Of their
production can find a ready market throughout the
South, and can he disposed Of without the payment Of
excessive freight rates which would eventually elm
mate the profits from the seasons operations.
The spirit Of cooperation which has always been
manifest throughout the Valley should be extended to
establish the canning industry upon a firm founda-
ton. This industry will in future years be worth
millions of dollars to the Valley growers, and Valley
consumers should do their part in assuring profitable
operation Of the plants.