470 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



One of the greatest advantages of the central packing of fruit 

 is that it secures uniformity in the pack and a much better quality 

 in the grade. The cost of packing varies considerably with the pack- 

 age used and the kind of fruit packed, as well as the grade of the 

 fruit, but it is very generally lower in the central packing house than 

 out of it. 



Many western associations issue minute instructions, regarding 

 the pack of each grade, carefully defining the apples to be packed in 

 it. The packers are held to these regulations by a system of fines. 

 In Canada the different grades are very closely defined by the Fruit 

 Marks' Act, of which most Canadians are very proud. 



"When the grower deli\*ers his fruit to the warehouse he is given 

 a receipt for the number of packages of fruit delivered. After this 

 fruit is repacked, he is given another receipt, showing the grades 

 and the amount of each into which his fruit has gone. This receipt 

 is made in duplicate, the association retaining one. The grower gets 

 the average jirice received for each grade during the season. The 

 best plan of payment seems to be that of turing over to the grower 

 at the end of each week, three-fourths of the gross sales of his fruit 

 during the week, and the balance after deducting expenses, at the 

 close of the shipping season. 



Tlie charge for handling is made up on an average of the whole 

 cost for a given number of packages. In some cases a fixed charge 

 is made on a percentage basis of the value of the fruit handled, 

 which' amounts to the same thing. In all cases the members are 

 given the lowest possible or cost rate, while v;hen outsiders ship 

 through the association they are charged at a higher rate. It is im- 

 possible to give any figures on the cost of packing which will be of 

 any value, but growers packing in this way invariably testify that 

 the cost is much less than by any other method. 



All other expenses of the association, such as book-keeping, cor- 

 respondence, equipment of the packing house, manager's salary and 

 other incidental expenses, are fnet in the same manner as those of 

 packing, viz., by a charge per package, or by a percentage of the 

 value of the products handled. As has already been stated the 

 packing house is owned by stockholders, and a charge has to be 

 made in some way on fruit shipped by the association, to cover a 

 reasonable rate of interest on this. When enough outside fruit is 

 handled to secure a considerable profit, this ju'ofit is divided between 

 dividends to the stockholders and lowering pro rata expenses, or a 

 bonus on fruit shipped. This often amounts to considerable. 



It is found to be (juite generally the case that a good manager 

 was very essential to success. Capable, efficient and honest men. 

 with the ability and push to make a business go, are indeed rare, 

 but they may be found. Such a manager practically secures the 

 success of any undertaking. As a rule co-operative associations 

 are largely managed by some grower much interested in the work. 

 There is a place, however, for the trained employe, who will have 

 no other interest save to act as business manager, overseeing the 

 whole plant. At present the salary is small, ranging from $2.00 

 to '15.00 per day during the season, although in one case the man- 

 ager gets 5 per cent, of gross sales and in another $800.00. But 



