FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 101 



The freight rates charged by the transportation companies on peaches 

 in particnlar should be reduced. 



Co-operation is a call to reason; it represents a deliberate effort on 

 the part of growers to secure for themselves a larger part of the con 

 sumer's dollar, through the elimination of mudi needless expense in the 

 sale and distribution of their products. 



It means better i>acking; the elimination of glutted markets, pro- 

 tection of the grower's interests, prompt collection of just damage 

 claims, and better prices for what you buy and what you sell. 



It means a discontinuTince of the custom of allowing the "dealer" and 

 speculator to place a mortgage of from 10 to 25 per cent on the crops 

 you produce. 



It means that the grower will do his own gambling and have a chance 

 .at the results. 



'•nigh-cost-of-living'' prices don't help the farmer because he don't get 

 them— his part of the consumer's dollar is only THIRTY-FIVE CENTS. 



It is a fundamental principle of economics that higher prices stimu- 

 late production, but it will not work unless the increased price goes 

 to the producer where it belongs. 



As the population of our cities has increased a great deal faster 

 than the population of the country at large, the difference in the price 

 jiaid by the consumer and that received by the producer has increased 

 in like proportion until a condition of commercial piracy exists which 

 has no justification whatever and must be fought by ever}" man avail- 

 able. 



The producer must receive his legitimate proportion of the value of 

 his product. Co-operation, direct selling, and the elimination of all 

 needless expense and commissions are all means to this end. 



Agriculture and horticulture are the rocks upon which all true pros- 

 perity must rest. When the farmer and fruit-grower is prosperous and 

 happy this condition is reflected in every line of trade, and the whole 

 country prospers. 



When conditions are reversed business stagnation and poverty fol- 

 low. 



The farmers and fruit-growers of tliis country hold their i)rosperity 

 as well as their destiny in their own hands — ^tliey have hesitated and 

 followed slip-shod methods long enough. They have got to get together- 

 and stick together, if they hope f<» reap the reward to which their 

 labor and investment entitles them. 



While the grower has been trying to hide his inferior fruit in the 

 middle of the barrel, he has been at the same time "hiding his light 

 under a bushel" in sjiite of the Divine conunand not to do so. 



The consumer is obliged to pay for his fruit with a standard dollar 

 and he is entitled to a standard package. 



The grower who is unwilling to join with his neighbors in an honest 

 effort to improve conditions which affect his business, deserves nothing 

 better than the ''tliirty-five cent dollar," and stands a fair chance of 

 always carrying with him a "patch on the seat of his breeches'' as an 

 indication of his enterprise and resourcefulness. 



There is never but one reason why a dealer or speculator will not 



