Summer Meeting. 119 



l)v abandoning old berry fields, and the idea of farming berries in large 

 acreage like corn; distribute onr small berries at home to the canning 

 factory, or on the dnmp pile; reorganize onr associations under 

 more rigid rules, barring anyone who wonld not pack stock that yon 

 could guarantee under your biand. Iia.ving done this, we are in a 

 position to form such contracts for the handling of our small fruits as 

 will help us in distribution and selling at home as well. 



The theory of either plan of distribution referred to is good, but 

 the plan of the southwest co-operative union wc think the best, as it 

 leaves the businesss of each association iii its own hands. Yet in case 

 of a large shipment it would fail in part unless the central office should 

 have the power to divert cars when too many were enroute for one 

 market. To exercise this power would open the way for dissatisfaction 

 in all instances where such diverted car should happen to not do as well 

 as the association shipping it expected. v The representative of the 

 market from which car is diverted is too often ready to take advantage 

 of such dissatisfaction, seeks to encourage it, hoping thereby to be able 

 to secure more business for himself. Tiecognizing all the distributing- 

 elements ever present, how easy it is for the shipper to be deceived inti) 

 making consignments on misrepresentation of markets and conditions. 



"We believe the best plan for handling our crop would be for each 

 shipper or association to make its own arrangement. They should make 

 careful estimate of their probable output as early in the season as pos- 

 sible, select the number of markets to be used according to the daily 

 supply you will have. If you will have but one car daily, select one 

 market. If five cars daily, select five markets. Make a business eon- 

 tract with some commission firm Avhom you know to be reliable. Enter 

 into a mutual agreement with such firm to furnish him his needed supply 

 daily regularly, they agreeing to handle your product exclusively as 

 long as you can supply them. By doing this, and packing your products 

 under a brand, the selling agent can build up a trade for you that is per- 

 manent, and one tdiat he can afford, too; he will take care of it by 

 treating the shipper right. This will do away with the irregularity of 

 supply under the present system which is so often disastrous. In mar- 

 keting perishable products one car daily in a market may be all 

 right, while to put the three in one day, and none for the other two would 



