FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 37 



COOPERATIVE MARKETING. 



R. E. IIAXLEY, CHICAGO, ILL. 



Preliminary to my brief observations on co operative marketing I ven- 

 ture a few remarks on the apparent great need of greater organization 

 among Micliigan Horticulturists in the matter of nmrketing. 



I will hazard the asserriou that the State of ^lichigan is less organized 

 in that respect than any other state in the Union equally as important, 

 in the production of fruits. 



There are among vou. of course, men who have bv more than ordinary 

 efforts produced fine fruit, packed well and consequently have established 

 a trade demand for their goods. 



But just as sure as the sun shines these men are going to have greater 

 comi)etition among their neighbors in the production of fine fruit, thanks 

 to the efforts of the Michigan State Horticultural Society and your col- 

 lege at Lansing, 



In consequence you are sooner or later to be brought face to face 

 with the absolute necessity for co-oi)eration among you to prevent 

 destruction of your industry by wasteful competition at home. . 



Through rapidly increasing bearing acreages you are threatened with 

 the possibility of overproduction, alarm about which has already had 

 expression during this convention. 



With ninety millions of consumers we are not likely to reach a state 

 of overproduction of food products for some time to come, provided 

 these su])plies are equitably distributed and proper distribution of large 

 volumes of fruit can be arrived at only through co operative effort. 



We heard about 12 years ago expressions of grave fear on the part 

 of Pacific Coast fruit growers relative to rapid yearly increase in the 

 production of citrus fruits, California at that time shipping to markets 

 18,000 cars of oranges and lemons ])er year. 



The industry steadily expanded to a present normal output of 40,000 

 carloads annually, brought in direct comj)etition too with six million 

 boxes or twenty thou.sand car-s of the same fruit from Florida. 



From this will be seen the extent of the advance of one branch of 

 horticulture and the growers by reason of standardization of pack and 

 proper organization are still making money. 



^A'ith this fruit competitive with your own together with peach and 

 apple districts throughout the country vieing with one another to raise 

 and ship better fruit, are you in Michigan not at considerable disad- 

 vantage without greater marketing organization among you? 



I believe Mr. Mumford's able suggestions this morning fit in here and 

 every fruit grower of this convention should take home the duty of or- 

 ganizing his local county thoroughly. 



It may seem ])resumptuous for me. an outsider, to attempt to advo- 

 cate what may seem to be a need in your midst, but I do it earnestly 

 with the best intentions. 



I may modestly make claim to having had association with horti- 

 cultural interests from three different angles: First through employ- 

 ment with the Armour Car Lines of Chicago engaged in the distribution 



