568 ANNUAL, REPOIiT OF THE Off. Doc. 



obligates himself to turn over all the berries to the business coeL- 

 mittee to be shipped by them except those he may need for home 

 requirements. In no case can a member sell berries for shipment 

 unless he first obtains consent of the business committee. Infrac- 

 tion of this stern rule is dismissal from the association. Stress is 

 laid upon the great importance that the growers deliver all fruit 

 to the management, so that commission houses arranged with may 

 not be disappointed by reason of failing to get accepted consign- 

 ments. Each grower must be ready to deliver at the shipping sheds 

 all berries he has to ship, each day, not later than 10 o'clock P. M. 

 There are two grades of strawberries designated — A and B. The 

 A must be strictly choice, firm, sound stock of good size. The B 

 grade must also be firm and sound, but may be somewhat smaller. 

 Fruit too soft for this grade will be rejected. After inspection at 

 shipping sheds berries that grade A have the grades stamped on 

 both ends of package with the association's trade mark. 



It will be recalled that all the berries going to Kansas City, for 

 example, are shipped to a selected commission concern handling 

 the business. Each grower having fruit in that shipment shall 

 receive an average price per crate of each grade eash day. When 

 it is necessary to hold berries over from one day to the next in the 

 city market, the average of the two days is the rule. In receiving 

 the fruit at the loading shed the grower is given a receipt showing 

 how many crates he had on that particular load, how many A and 

 how many B. The fruit is perhaps sent to several markets the 

 same day, according to market conditions, as understood by the 

 manager. As just noted the grower receives for each grade the 

 average of the sales for that day. It is known how man}' grades 

 were shipped each day, and thus is known almost immediately what 

 the fruit netted the growers. Settlement is made on the basis of 

 the average. 



All growers delegate themselves to be governed by the decision 

 of the association in regard to prices to be paid for picking berries, 

 and they agree that they will not pay more than the fixed rate. If 

 they do they are thrown out of the association. The business com- 

 mittee makes arrangements with the railroads for cars and for 

 securing the lowest possible rates, for the refrigerators, with the 

 express company for service and rates, and for other necessary 

 service. They make arrangements with commission merchants be- 

 fore the shipping season opens and know definitely who will handle 

 the product. In investigating the city commission merchant, they 

 find out not only that he is honest, but also that he is capable and 

 active. Then they stick to him as long as he does the right thing 

 by the association. The business committee buys the box and 

 package material for distribution to the growers at cost, getting 

 it early at reduced rates in carloads. They supply stamping outfits, 

 tally sheets, rules for pickers and packers, etc., and appoint inspec- 

 tors for cultural work in the field, and for packing and grading. 

 Full advantage is taken of any possible competition between trans- 

 portation companies. Very little is sent by express as charges are 

 too high. Instead refrigerator freight service is used. 



A point about this successful co-operative association is that they 

 stick together, that they have strict rules, that they enforce them, 

 that they buy together at lowest cost, that they sell well-grown, 

 well gejecte^ and well packed frvjit at highest prices, and at lowest 



