20 



It is in this particular that there is the greatest need for improvement 

 at the present time; just how the improvement shall be effected is more or 

 less of a vexed question. There are scores of apple growers who have 

 the skill to produce first-class fruit, while there are comparatively few 

 who have the business ability to place it on the market when and where 

 it will bring the best price. This is no doubt an argument in favor 

 of the division and specialization of labor, whereby the grower confines 

 his attention to the production of the fruit and the dealer to the buying 

 and selling of it. But it has been this division of the work among buy- 

 ers and handlers and sellers that has so divided the proceeds that there 

 has been little or no profit left for the producer. The growers who make 

 the most out of their apples are those who keep in as close touch as possible 

 with the best markets both at home and abroad. During the shipping 

 season these men watch the market reports daily, and unless prices are 

 satisfactory they hold their fruit until good prices prevail. The great 

 majority, however, of those who have apples to sell wait for some local 

 buyer to come along, and sell for whatever he chooses to offer, either so 

 much per barrel or a lump sum for the crop on the trees. The latter plan 

 is little better than gambling, and at best is a hap-hazard way of doing 

 business. 



The only apparent remedy for this state of affairs, and the most 

 promising means of putting the apple trade on a proper business basis, 

 is for the growers in each apple growing section to unite to form 

 a strong co-operative association through which the grading, packing, 

 and marketing may be accomplished. 



An effective co-operative association for this purpose, involves the 

 selection of an honest, wide-a-wake, business manager, and the erection 

 of a central packing and storage house at the most convenient point for 

 shipment. Through such an organization boxes and barrels could be 

 purchased wholesale to much better advantage ; the grower could devote 

 his whole attention to gathering the crop at the proper season and deliver- 

 ing it in good condition at the central packing house ; the association 

 would relieve him of all care and responsibility in grading, packing, and 

 marketing ; and with this work in the hands of expert packers, the grade 

 would be uniform and the packing properly done, which would in time 

 inspire confidence in the purchasing public. A good business manager 

 could keep in close touch with the best markets and make sales when and 

 where the fruit was most in demand. In short, consumers would be 

 assured of a better product and growers would realize a better profit. 



Shipping. 



Fom the time the fruit is picked, until it is placed on the market 

 it should not be exposed to sun, rain, or frost, nor should it be subjected 

 to rough or careless handling, which it too often receives when given 

 over to the tender mercies of the transportation companies; and this is 



