Canning Endustry from Grower's Standpoint L253 



the population in the cities depend almost wholly on canned goods 

 the larger part of the year, and the canning" business has grown 

 beyond the expectations of the best informed men in the business. 

 Undoubtedly, it will continue in its growth. That the business has 

 proven profitable is to be seen by the large fortunes acquired by 

 those interested in canning and preserving. 



The canning business of this country represents enormous crops, 

 wonderful manufacturing output, superior salesmanship, and, 

 while the cost of staple articles of food is ever increasing at an 

 alarming rate — notwithstanding all the efforts that have been 

 made to increase the production of the soil — such increase in the 

 cost of living cannot be laid to the canner. On the other hand, 

 he is a public benefactor. 



There are exceptions to the rule, however, in the canning busi- 

 ness. What I will say now represents the grower's interest and 

 the unfairness on the part of the canner in his business dealings 

 with the grower, and I trust that it will not be taken as antago- 

 nistic. We, as growers, are all interested in the welfare and ad- 

 vancement of the canning industry in this state, and are in a large 

 measure dependent upon the canneries for the sale of our products. 



RELATION BETWEEN THE GROWER AND CAN NEK 



The canners have made it possible for us to grow thousands of 

 tons of perishable fruit and produce, and that at a contract price ; 

 but have they always been just and fair in their business dealings 

 with the grower ? I think not. On the other hand, has the grower 

 always been fair with the canner ; has he delivered all of the crop 

 contracted for ? ~No, he has not. I shall say something in regard 

 to this later. 



Where climatic conditions and soil are adapted to the culture 

 of r>uch crops as tomatoes, peas, corn — in fact all vegetable crops 

 — and a fair price is paid by the canners, many growers have 

 made money. But, on the other hand, there are localities where 

 canners and perservers have taken advantage of individual grow- 

 ers in price cutting, unfairness of contract, failing to furnish 

 crates to harvest and deliver the crop, refusing to pay the grower 

 for his produce until the canned products were sold, thereby mak- 

 ing the grower help finance their business — in fact their contracts 



