Evening star., 1929-09-01
ROADSIDE MARKETING GROWS
INTO NATIONAL INSTITUTION
Specialization Comes to Countryside as
Farmers Find Profitable Outlet
at Own Doors.

out that in the earlier DAYS there we're
as many farmers who engaged in road
side marketing. only to quit the game be-
cause Of numerous discouragementS, as
are engaged in the business today
With organization. however. standard
ization, specialization and the like and
the introduction OF business methods OF
accounting, etc, in most instances the
industry today is one of substantial
character and growth.
One of the first meetings Of experts
for the purpose Of discussing the in
creasing volume Of roadside market
business and of making plans for the
future along constructive lines was held
at Baltimore by representatives OF
Middle Atlantic States. This was as
early as four years ago. Here the seed
was planted from which grew the COM
prehensive plans for attention to the
economic phases Of the movement, bet
ter business methods and better mer-
chandising. The results are evident to-
day.
Specialization Featured.
Examples of specialization in farm
and garden products by roadside mer-
chants are of interest. One grower
who, the story goes, was about ready to
give up the idea because Of lack Of sue
cess Of his efforts, hit upon the plan of
giving special attention to early cab
bages. He tried 1t, and the next sea-
son made killing" in early cabbages,
as result Of dry season during which
few others in his community had any to
sell. The owner of a big farm near Bos-
ton conceived the idea of selling only
at wholesale at his place. He soon was
importuned to go into the retailing end.
He did so, and after the first year found
1t necessary to add 100 acres to his farm
in order to supply the demand for his
products.
One Pennsylvania farmer, who will
not open his stand on Sunday, neverthe-
less sells 40 per cent of vegetables raised
by him on his farm. on week days.
One Illinois farmer, living on the
Lincoln Highway, and in close proximity
to two towns. one of 500 and the other
10000 population, finds it possible to
dispose Of almost his entire output Of
truck garden products at his front door.
Near Greeley, Colo, is roadside mar
Eeter who has built a market in the
form Of cellar IN the side Of a hill,
with a neat front built in and sign over
the door. He specializes in the products
and disposes of his stock often to people
living as far as $50 miles away from his
farm.
Out in Idaho, on a rocky point, with
desert and sagebrush in the background,
stands one Of the country's most un-
usual roadside markets. It is built Of
willow and poplar branches, on top of
hill, with the sparkling, and so-called
Thousand Springs, near at hand, and
operated by one Isaac EliaSon, who
speclallZes in watermelons, with toma-
toes as side line. The melons are
kept cool in the waters of the spring.
With such an inviting establishment
and resting place. the proprietor sold
close to $500 worth of melons and to-
matoes within one month soon after
opening his market.
Sells Melon Seeds.
Near Worthington, Ind, a farmer
and producer Of melons, has built up a
thriving business in the sale Of a melon
grown from Honey Rock seed, a cut
melon with waxed paper over it being
displayed in an effort to attract the at
tention of motorists. He has succeeded
10 point where, in addition to his sales
OF melons at his stand, orders for the
seed has come from distant points.
The Illinois State Association of
ing crop varieties to its members, and
issues volumes stressing the importance
OF spraying, duSting, fertiliZing, culti-
waiting. varieties, storage and other
matters of import to the growers. The
Bergen County New Jersey Chamber
Of Commerce is one of the latest Or
ganizations to adopt an official badge,
trade mark and coat of arms for its
roadside marketerS who wish to be reg
iStered as bona f1de dealers. each ap-
plicant specifying definitely that he will
sell only fresh, well graded stuff. Con-
necticut is doing excellent work along
the same line.
The Michigan Roadside Market As
ISOLATION has the seal of State De-
partment of Agriculture on its litera-
CONTINUED on Fifth Page.)