Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1904 — A Pickle Factory In Gifford. [ARTICLE]

A Pickle Factory In Gifford.

| A pickle factory is to be established at some point on the Gifford railroad, as per this circular letter which Mr. Gifford has sent to ail his tenants. Dear Sir: An arrangement has been made with the Bloomington Pickle Company to establish a pickle factory on our line. Thecucumbers four inches and underdelivered in sacks at any point on the line of the O & W V. Ry. The sacks will be returned with a statement of weight (50 lbs per bu) Farmers will be permitted to sor their own pickles and are required to do so. Where this is done hon estly tcere will be no discount, and where it is done otherwise the farmer’s attention will be called to it so that he may correct it. The pickles are required to be deliver ed on the line of the road the same day they are picked. Pickle lands (poorer in quality than cure) made from S4O to over SIOO per acre around DeMotte last year. Mr. Curtain of that plaoe made $lO3 net per acre after paying all expenses. The impression seems to have gone out that it was worth twenty five cents to pick a bushel, and tha> suoh money was paid last year without getting sufficient help. This is not true, but other neople have been able to get sufficient help by paying 12| cents per bush el for picking. It is stated in your locality that it is large work to pick 9 bushels per day. Experienced pickers have made as high as 25 bushels per day in other localities. Any fair crop of pickles is worth probably more than it would take to buy the land upon which it was grown. This furnishes an easy way for all industrious people to acquire a home and lands upon which they can support themselves and family and be independent. 1 hope you will put forth your best efforts to make this matter known and to urge people who know nothing about it to try it. It will cost them nothing, except a little labor, and the people who are not willing to work have a poor show in your section of country, and the sooner they are refused credit the better off they will be and the better off will be the others when they get rid of their company or society. Pickle land will be let out for £ the crop, but the tenants will be allowed a credit for picking my share. Yours truly,

BENJ. J. GIFFORD,