124 State Horticultural Society. 



with one or two exceptions, when the quality of the fruit, the weather and 

 the markets were favorable. 



The experiences of this year emphasize the lessons of other seasons — 

 that strawberries should be sold on track, that all the growers and ship- 

 pers should co-operate to the end, not alone of making track sales, but to 

 secure proper distribution, uniform packages, full quarts, thorough grad- 

 ing, reduction of refrigeration and transportation charges. All this can 

 readily be accomplished if growers will only act together. 



It has been proven that we must have representatives in the markets. 

 These men must be adapted to the work — live, loyal men. This service 

 is costly, but it is positively essential. In this business the telegraph and 

 the telephone are indispensable, and there must be no niggardliness in 

 using the wires, but with more system and wider co-operation the expense 

 can be greatly reduced. This is a businefe that is amply large enough 

 to engage the attention of the best organizing ability. General Manager 

 Riodgers has certainly done his level best in every particular. He was 

 at his post every day, from a week before the first car was shipped until 

 the last car was billed out. This last car, by the way, was shipped by 

 the Logan Horticultural Association to Milwaukee, and was sold on 

 track at Logan at $1.35. 



Right here, we will say that as soon as our book-keepers can make 

 up a report of the season's business, it will be printed, and every member 

 will have a copy. This statement will show the complete transactions 

 of the O. F. G. A. in this strawberry campaign, the amount of business, 

 prices obtained, cost of service ; a comparative statement as to the results 

 of sale on track and of consignments ; a list of the seventy-two markets 

 used, the returns made and the promptness of remitting by the commis- 

 sion men. Furthermore, will say the books and correspondence and 

 telegrams relating to this campaign of co-operation will be open to the 

 inspection of every member. 



Before concluding this part of our paper, we must explain in regard 

 to the income of the association for meeting the heavy expenses of repre- 

 sentatives, telegraphing, office force, postage, etc. All these expenses 

 are met by the 3 per cent rebate from consignments and from cars sold 

 on track. As all are aware, the commission merchants have always in 

 the history of Ozark berry growing charged 10 per cent commission on 

 all sales, and 3 per cent of this they have turned over to the local 

 associations. The co-operating associations allow the O. F. G. A. this 

 rebate, and are at no other expense for its services. As stated in the 

 beginning, there are no assessments provided for in this organization. 

 This 3 per cent is half a cent less than is charged for like services by the 

 Southern California Fruit Exchange. The O. F. G. A. being a co-opera- 



