58 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



been largely instrumental in very materially raising the price of 

 fruit during the last few years. As an example the Hood River 

 Spitzenburgs which sold for $.85 per box before the associa- 

 tions were formed, are now selling in quantity at $2.50 per box. 

 These results are due to the efforts of a relatively small number 

 of men who have tended to place the fruit industry in that 

 section upon a firm and stable basis. Land values have trebled, 

 and prosperity is general rather than individual. 



In general, wherever co-operative organizations have been 

 formed, increased prosperity has followed. Probably the great- 

 est concern of this kind is the California Fruit Growers' Ex- 

 change, which deals with the citron fruits. It is the central 

 organization for sixteen sub-exchanges, marketing for ninety- 

 eight sub-associations in California. 



During the season of 1910, $58,000,000 worth of fruit was 

 marketed and the estimated crop (on the trees) for 1911 was 

 45,000 cars. It has been operating for 15 years and 80% of 

 the growers still ship through it, showing that it must have been 

 to their interest to do so. 



In the Northwest an apple exchange has been formed and is 

 rapidly absorbing the individual associations and will in all 

 probability, control the apple output of the entire Northwest in 

 a few years. 



Why not such an exchange in the East? Tme, we will first 

 have to form small associations upon a business basis and 

 develop men capable of managing such a concern, but greater 

 things have been accomplished and by the awakened interest 

 along this line, it would seem feasible. In the meantime, atten- 

 tion must be given to local associations. 



Perhaps an outline of some of the advantages and disadvan- 

 tages of such a union would be profitable. 



The following are some of the advantages : 



1. Enables the small grower to ship in quantity. 



2. A particular brand can be established that will be sought 

 after, thus insuring better prices. 



3. The crop can be distributed so as to prevent gluts on the 

 market and insure uniform prices. 



4. Better business methods can be adopted in dealing with 

 commission men, etc. 



