THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 499 



that but few of the contributors knew that co-operative methods were 

 building a lasting monument to their loyalty and business forethought. 



Not one of the non-members nor one of the independent associations 

 contributed a dollar to this great achievement. On the contrary, their 

 influence had to be overcome, costing both time and mone3^ When the 

 Associated Almond Industry of California shall have won its victories, 

 and shall occupy the position to which it is entitled, it will be a source 

 of pardonable pride for any participating association to claim a share 

 in these pioneer efforts. To what does the independent seller point as 

 his contribution to the good of the calling? 



The future of the almond in California depends upon the degree of 

 co-operation practiced among the growers. Co-operation in selling is a 

 modern idea, and in this line the grower needs education. The situation 

 is full of hope. That 80 per cent of the growers of the State should 

 have co-operated and built up a successful selling agency, within and 

 during the first five years of the experiment, is cause for gratification. 

 The remaining 20 per cent of the growers have been benefited annually, 

 through the existence and influence of the Exchange, from fifty to one 

 hundred dollars per ton on their output. This is their dividend on the 

 business ability of their fellow growers. 



The outside tonnage is needed in the Exchange. An increased volume 

 of business means a decreased cost in handling the product. If we are 

 to succeed in the contest against the imported almond we must concen- 

 trate our efforts. The greater the volume of our business, and the 

 better our standing in the business world, the easier to obtain rates, 

 gather data and secure recognition in the markets. California alone 

 can supply our nation 's demand for almonds. Whether or not she ever 

 becomes a dominating factor in that supply, depends largely upon the 

 support her growers give to co-operative marketing. 



THE FUTURE OF THE PEAR INDUSTRY IN 



CALIFORNIA.* 



By Percy Gammon, Hood, Cal. 



The Bartlett pear of California has won fame as a luscious and 

 delicious fruit, either in fresh, canned or dried state, and as such is 

 welcomed everywhere. 



The State at this time turns out annually about 50,000 tons of pears, 

 but if nothing intervenes this output will be more than tripled within 

 the next ten years, as there are now in the neighborhood of four million 

 young trees in the State, aging from two to five years. One million 

 two hundred fifty thousand are south of the Tehachapi, a region not as 

 yet a factor in the industry. Should these all come into full bearing 

 "the danger of overproduction and, therefore, an immense falling off in 

 prices is great. 



On the other hand the pear will no doubt find many more outlets, will 

 be more universally used, be better standardized and export will be 

 greatly increased. ' Early pears would naturally have much better 



♦Address before the State Fruit Growers' Convention, Palo Alto, Cal., July, 1915. 



