O’LEARY PRODUCE CO. LTD.

The O’Leary Produce Co. Ltd. was formed in 1964, with the fol- lowing shareholders: Bernard M. Shea, Edwin W. Turner, Verna M. Shea, Lulu B. Turner, and J. Melville Campbell, Q.C. Considerable research and study on producing vegetables was completed before the formation of the company. The first crop of carrots was grown on 50 acres of land in Woodstock, P.F..l. Plans for the warehouse and office were developed and George W. Meggison was hired to super- vise the construction. The site was on land leased from Canadian National Railway.

The first few years were trying times with deciding what type of seed, spray and fertilizer produced the best result. As in any new business they learned from experience.

Since 1964 the warehouse has been enlarged twice and modern automated machinery has been installed. Better machinery for the planting and harvesting of crops was acquired.

In the late 1970’s Edwin Turner sold his share to Hilton B. Shea, son of Bernard Shea.

In 1989 there were about 100 acres in cultivation, which support- ed carrots, turnips and parsnips. The brand name ”Tushey" was sug—

gested by Dr. L.G. Dewar and derived from the first two letters of Turner and Shea names. The Tushey produce is shipped in semi-trail- er trucks and delivered to stores in the Maritimes.

Over the years the company has been fortunate in maintaining a eliable staff willing to work in the field or the warehouse. A number f the original employees are still working there.

Bernard M. Shea is now semi-retired, leaving Hilton as a very apable manager. The future of O’Leary Produce Co. Ltd. is quite romising with Bernard, five year old son of Hilton, already taking n interest in the business.

POTATO WAREHOUSES

Many districts surrounding O'Leary can boast of some of the ‘nest farm land in West Prince. Almost from the beginning of its set- ement, O’Leary has served as a central outlet to buy, sell, and ship ts farm produce. Potatoes have been the number one cash crop in e agricultural industry, and contracts to sell and buy them started 5 early as the 1900's. As many as three potato warehouses are hought to have been in operation before 1929. These warehouses erved the purpose of buying and selling the produce, but were not ompletely efficient because they could not store potatoes over the inter months.

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