196 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



It has daily information as to the state of the markets in larger towns- 

 and as they are subject to frequent fluctuation frequently diverts ship- 

 ments when en route. 



The union being a member of the Commercial Agency has a knowledge 

 of the financial standing of its customers and consequently its losses 

 from bad accounts are minimum. 



The union, encourages the purchase of its fruits at the home station 

 and discourages consignments. If an independent shipper will offer more 

 than quotations warrant it does not hesitate to sell to him, or to any 

 one else and at times may purchase fruits that are likely to be offered 

 in competition for less than union prices in order that the market may 

 be protected. 



In California it has deemed wise to give to the public daily quotations 

 from Eastern cities in order that those not members of the union might 

 not be induced to undersell the associations. 



A union searches out new markets and extends its business over the 

 widest possible area of country. The union attracts buyers and having 

 much to sell gets the higher prices and the better service from the trans- 

 portation companies. 



The union maintains brokers at important centers who sell and dis- 

 tribute shipments to retailers being pledged to maintain prices on their 

 part. 



And not the least among the benefits of fruit co-operation, members 

 acquire a better knowledge of business methods and learn to trust and 

 appreciate each other as they never did before, and jealousies and sus- 

 picion are replaced by confidence and esteem. 



We can readily see that in the conduct of these associations much de- 

 pends upon those to whom their business management is entrusted. 



The directors should be men noted for their shrewd business judgment 

 and successful in the conduct of their own affairs. 



The manager or superintendent especially, in addition to undoubted 

 integrity, should possess ability and experience and be paid accordingly. 

 The business transactions must be kept in systematic order so that the 

 standing of a member or that of the union itself may be readily ascer- 

 tained. 



There are many instances where these co-operative associations have 

 brought order out of chaos in the markets, doubled returns to shippers, 

 enhanced a hundred fold the value of land, paid off mortgages, and put 

 new life and courage into the community. I am a member of one of these 

 small unions just entering upon the tenth year of its existence, which 

 has done this work, established a reputation for our growers and a 

 market for their products over an extended section of country. 



I am of the opinion that the reasons why we have so few fruit organi- 

 zations in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, may be attributed to the 

 limited amount of our commercial orchards. Such orchards, however, are- 

 being grown and these co-operative associations are as certain to follow 

 as there is strength in union. 



