Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-09
MUST IMPROVE
TRUCK CROPS,
EXPERT SAYS
Vegetable Business
Highly Competitive;
Quality Makes and
Holds Markets
Special TO The Herald)

- - &AONEs was int
assertion Of Paul Work Of Cornell
University, in an address before the
Minnesota horticultural Society, In
which he pointed out that competi-
ton between vegetable growing dis
tricts has become keen. and that the
question OF the survival OF the fit
test" will be determined by quality
and pack.
"The vegetable business in recent
years has become highly competi-
tive" he said. Improved ~transpOrta-
tion, both rail and motor, greater
demand for fresh vegetables and ir-
creased diversification in farming
have brought thousands OF new grow
ers into the game. The only way a
grower can survive is By efficient
production Of quality goods and by
close attention TO the best marketing
practices.
High price levels are not TO be ex-
pected. The rover must be always
ART 70 KEEP his products moving 1T
the best prevailing prices and 10
catch the high markets when they oc-
cur. Since low markets must be con-
~tronted, handling costs must be kept
low. This Is not in consistent with
good handling. In many cases the
NAHNA aAl EH0tEb4EnA lAfVANtu ~
high-ciass harvesting, grading and
handling are better organized than
the usual procedure and result IN ac-
tual net reduction in costs aside from
increased returns.
Quality Comes First
THE quality Of the product when
4 reaches the is "A vital fac
tor in successful marketing. Repeat
nrAnrw p.uLa Urufttu Tkn rw~ur.w Nh
does his marketing we'll until the
product leaves his hands. forgetting
4 thereafter. is working with one
eye shut. The wise man directs his
product into the hands Of dealers
who vii not only sell it. but who will
treat il as II deserves TO be treated.
Good cultural conditions and
methods are essential. Vegetables
that are not good when they leave
the field will never be any better.
Investing money in handling and
freight for poor stuff frequently
brings back bills instead Of checks.
Waste Of second grade stuff. should
he kept at a minimum. but the wise
man strives to have as few culls as
possible. He avoids spending money
on them unless profit is clearly in
sight and he tries to sell in a way
that will not hurt the markets. Hun
dreds of carloads and thousands of
truckloads OF defective produce would
do more good for all concerned if
pioved under. fed 70 animals or
dumped.
I'm striving for high quality the
grower studies his varieties aud seed
sources. he provides the best possible
cultural conditions and he wages
perpetual warfare against the in
sects and diseases that destroy and
blemish the products.
1.-THE fruit business T. making ex-
~tensive use Of central packing houses
and modern machinery for washing.
grading and packing. Vegetable men
have just started on this road. Var
ious types of washers. bunchers.
graders and conveyors are on the
market and many growers and deal
ers have built their own. This trend
il likely 20 continue not only with
increased economy. but also with
higher standards in the marketed
goods.
Good Grading
Good grading has repeatedly !
proved itself IN marketing practice.
in 4 given carload or basket, the
poorest specimens tend 70 make the
price. The buyer assumes there is
more Of the worst and he waves the
detective specimens under the nose OF
the seller to hammer down the price.
Blemishes and insect injury admit
decay and decay spreads. The low
grade stuff IS seldom worth putting
through an expensive marketing pro-
cess. Hence, grading is economy.
Nothing teaches good production
methods to q man more forcibly than
10 see culls pile up and first grade
goods tumble off the table in a tiny
irickie.
"Federal-S shipping point in
spection is bringing home the neces-
atty of good grading 10 thousands ey-
cry years. II gives a common p an
serstandable language 10 buyer and
seller ard the certificate is Of great
moral weight. II j. prima facie evil
dence in court and IL keeps thousands
Of cases out of court.
The Package situation
THE package situation has inn
nroyed marveleusly since the var.
Smashed baskets az the ear door have
resulted in definite and detailed
specifications which are demanded by
the carriers and respected by the
manufacturers. Standardization Of
sizes by voluntary agreement and by
federal and state law Is fast elm
mating deception and confusion IN
dealing. Modern craftsmanship Is
demonstrating the value Of fine APP
p~earance, good display and attractive
labelling. Research orke and prac-
teal operators are discovering the
hest materials and methods for wrap
ping and lining.
Movement of produce from many
directions toward all markets and at
an seasons Is somewhat reducing the
reed for long time storage but mar
ket fluctuations and increasing eager
ness 10 catch the best prices are IN
.reasing is use for short terms. High
auality standards at the consumer
market require the best conditions
for keeping and refrigerated storage
il gaining, At the same time the
principles Of insulation and ventila-
lion in sir-eooled storage are being
better understood. Burying p other
forms Of outdoor storage are on the
,yane. Il is no fun taking celery or
roots out az a pit in January and the
results are too uncertain.
Transportation
ain no phase Of marketing has pro-
~ress been more rapid than in rail
transport. The use of refrigerator
rars is gaining. both under ice and
with ventilation only. The carriers
a-e doing splendid teaching in car
leading methods designed for Seeur-
~ and free circulation Of air. Ar
raneements for fast train movement
and vastly improved terminal facil-
it;es are shortening the time and de-
r-casing the losses in transit.
aNever has il been NOR Necessary
for the vegetable grower and handler
IN be more alert than today. Common
carriers. shippers. wholesale dealers
80 owe have generally given up
10 S~ov-eat-dog attitude and are
markinc together for the best results.
covcrnment agencies, the college and