CO-OPERATION. 2 25 



can build up a reputation for himself on his own brand. The 

 association can better distribute the fruit to give the near-by markets 

 just the amount that they can use. It is also enabled to keep in touch 

 "With all the principal markets of the country and can so distribute 

 the fruit that no market is over-loaded and none is without fruit. 

 Individual efforts at distributing and marketing quite often result in 

 nn uneven distribution and certain over-stocked marlieis, while poss- 

 ibly the same distance in another direction the supply is limited and 

 the price much better. 



The buying public have more confidence in fruit, bearing an 

 association label than fruit from the same territory with a plain mark 

 or an individual's label or mark. They realize that a cooperative sell- 

 ing association much standardize its pack and have everything 

 claimed for it in the package or the association could not continue 

 to exist. 



The success or failure of cooperative associations depends more 

 on the standardization and quality of its pack than any other one 

 thing. 



The fruit grown by each member of the Eastern Nebraska Fruit 

 Growers' Association never passes from the individual control until 

 it is sold. While the sales-manager of the association is employed to 

 sell the fruit for all the members, he cannot dispose of any member's 

 fruit without the individual's consent. If the grower wishes the fruit 

 stored and held for later disposition, it is the duty of the association 

 management to store this fruit and keep the individual advised on the 

 conditions of the market and the prices prevailing. When the m-an- 

 ager finds a market that is suitable to the individual, he then dis- 

 poses of the fruit, but not before. 



Association Rules for Handling Strawberries. 



Picking and Packing. 



1. Berries must be picked as free from moisture as possible. 



2. Pick every day after the season is fairly started, and if the 

 weather is rainy or there is much dew, wait until the fruit dries off 

 somewhat before picking. 



3. Each patch should be picked once over at least every other 

 day. 



4. See that all ripe fruit is picked each time. 



5. Berries must be pink all over or three-fourth red. 



6. Berries should be picked riper in cool weather than in "warm. 



7. Berries must be picked with stems. 



8. Pickers must not be allowed to hold several berries in their 

 hands at the same time. 



9. Filled carriers must not be allowed to stand in tlie .sun. 



10. Use clean crates and keep them from being soiled. 



^ 11. No culls in the boxes. Put nothing but fair sized berries. 



