Banana History and the Rise of the United Fruit Company
Bristow Adams surveys the banana’s journey from rarity to staple, detailing origins in Asia or Africa, the Canary Island growth, Jamaica Gros Michel variety, and the role of Andrew W. Preston and Minor C. Keith in founding United Fruit. He explains plantation labor, freight systems, and the fruit’s broad uses from raw fruit to flour, beverages, and medical claims.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bristow Adams
Nation
Elliot H. Goodwin
Chamber of Commerce of the
United States
Washington
Mr. Adams
Tropic
Asia
Africa
Canary Island
Jamaica
Andrew W. Preston
Boston
United Fruit Company
Minor C. Keith
Costa Rica
San Jose
Keith
New Orleans
Great Company
Preston
Columbia
Cuba
Guatemala
Honduras
Panama
Canary Islands
Cornell University
Johny Jones
Sue
New York Food Commissioner Blames Speculators for High Prices
John J. Dillon, New York State Commerce and Markets Commissioner, argues for state backed terminal facilities and wholesale markets with cold storage to cut food costs. He says 10 percent standardization at reasonable cost could solve the food problem while officials, surveys, and regulation fail to lower prices. He cites powerful food gamblers who fight reforms and warned that producers and consumers vote along partisan lines, hindering regulation. He notes current distribution is inefficient with five to seven handlings before reaching shoppers and urges a better system to make food affordable.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John J. Dillon
State Department of Foods and Markets
New York
New York State
Dillon
Gota
State foods department eyed to cut city distribution costs
A state official argues that wholesale handling savings could total 7 million for live poultry and 10 million each for eggs dressed poultry and butter, with 15 million potential gains in milk distribution. The State Department of Foods and Markets exists to shorten the farm to city chain, has plans and knows faults, and could be broadened and strengthened.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York City
State Department of Foods and Markets
Hazardous hog processing scheme fuels farm column
A Farm and Fireside writer reports a dangerous method to replace scalding hogs. The farmer describes pouring gasoline on a dead hog in an open, fire free area and igniting it. He tested the plan on two large hogs with minimal gasoline and limited ground contact.
Pike County Woman Indicts Note Asking Harsh Punishment
A Pike County woman wrote to a teacher asking permission to beat her son as needed to learn his lesson. The note compares the boy to his father and states the mother will handle him, urging no leniency.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pike County
Sammy
Hat Sent Home Sparks The Perfect Level Promise
A fragment shows a civilian exchange about an order for a hat costing thirty dollars described as a perfect level. The note mentions a loving reply promising that love will be returned, indicating sentimental correspondence rather than a formal event.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mobile
Galveston
Trinola
Harrisburg
Market Street
A. W. Holman
Harrisburg, PA
Bell Telephone
Bessie E. Poorman
Locust Street
Carter
E. G. Hoover
North Third Street
Fred B. Harry
DODGE
Bogar’s
York, PA
John C. Moyer
Park Avenue
Hershey Park
P. G. Diener
Jeweler
J. C. Hess
Derry Road
Ford and Studebaker Automobiles
Hershey
SUST
R. G. Laudermilch Custom Tailor
Palmyra, PA
Hershey Store Company
Lebanon Valley
West Cisse Ave
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!