The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1961-10-13
PRODUCE PACKING SHED
ESTABLISHED IN TYRRELL
Washington. N. c. Farmers Set Up New
Business on Shores Of Lake Phelps;
Boon to Labor

COLOMblA - "A washington,
N. C. farm produce jobbing firm
has recently expanded to include
employment-poor Tyrrell County,
by the construction of shed fol-
packing and marketing fresh farm
produce.
Situated some few miles from
here, near the shores of Lake
Phelps on lands which once was a
portion of the odd Somerset plan
tation and abutting the Transpor-
tation Canal on the Tyrrel side,
the "a AZ packing shed was con-
structed in a manner to allow for
future expansion without disrupting
the present structure. The owners
and managers of Washington Pro-
duce Market Inc. are Ernest Guilt
fer and C. H. Wallace.
The equipment at present set up
to handle the grading, packing and
sale of cucumbers, peppers and
string beans, began to roll on Sep
TENDER IL. Thirty-five persons,
principally local labor are employ
led. Professional produce packers
head up and round-off the five diff
erent grades in packages to meet
the most exacting marketing de-
mands. Large vans stand by watt
ing their turn to load.
With cucumbers as the main pro-
duct, the largest amount of daily
output has been 1900 blu. thus far,
Cullifer informs, and he anticipates
to reach the average of three or
four thousand a day.
This is seasonal operation, but
they reiterated that the lands in
this region are suitable for grow
ing most of the needed produce and
they could keep operating from
May Is through Oct. 20, the men
agreed. "The farmer who plants
late expects the same price as his
neighbor who plants to meet the
highest market prices. Watermel-
ons, okra and squash,-the yellow
and butternut varieties-are expect
ed to be added to the list of pro-
duce handled, they said.
Reared as farm boys, these men
from Beaufort County, still OPP
crate farms. They have been as
ISOLATED in business for 81 years,
said they realized the sore need for
quick marketing outlets throughout
Eastern North Carolina, some time
ago. In 1857, with another partner,
whose interest they bought in 1859,
they began the Washington firm.
They then sought contacts for buy
ing power. They advise they are
associated with one of the three top
brokers in the country.
The shed operates each week day
except Thursdays, explaining that
to be an -off-market day. They say
80 per cent of fresh produce sold in
the U. S. are channeled through
chain stores.
"Our future plans are to include
the area nearby in operation; to
plant at time to insure ready
for market fresh vegetables to pre-
cede the Eastern Shore and nothern
Virginia farmers" said Cullifer, and
'romised GAS long as there are
enough vegetables to market, we
will be here to sell"!
Cucumbers from the packing shed
If Tyrrell's new industry, the
Washington Produce Market Inc.
this week were sent on their way to
the West Coast, bound for Los
Angles the shipping point for Cali
ornia consumption.
Orders for ten van loads are be-
ing filled for that marketing center,
Ernest Cullifer and C. H. Wallace
ST., the operators advise. They state
This represents a stride forward
for the Tyrrell County Industry,
when our cukes are recognized by
California, produce growing CEN
ter, and added "They found out
the quality was here, and gave US
the order"