Missouri State Board of Horticulture. 361 



In addition to the many local associations, favorable replies 

 have been received from the largest five fruit growers' exchanges 

 of this country. Extracts from some of these letters follow: 



H. C. Fletcher, manager Grand Junction Fruit Growers' Association, Grand Junction, 

 Colo, (.apples, peaches, etc.): "My suggestion would be that you do not attempt to market 

 any produce of the several associations and shippers at the present time, but that a system 

 be inaugurated whereby reports could be received and distributed. It would be of great 

 assistance to all distributors in handling the sales of their fruits." 



J. A. Anderson, secretary Brownsville Fruit Growers' Association, Brownsville, Neb. 

 (strawberries, grapes, etc.): "I have your letter and I will say that I am pleased with Mr. 

 Kirkpatrick's idea of banding all sales managers together in an organization." 



J. J. Nagle, general manager California Fruit Exchange, Sacramento, Cal. (citrus 

 fruits): "My idea would be to create an office to act as a central point for receiving and 

 distributing information from each and every fruit growing district in the United States, said 

 office to be located either in Omaha or Chicago, and that reliable sources of information 

 be selected in each fruit district in the country and become a part of this organization to 

 furnish crop and market information, including movements of fruits and vegetables to this 

 central bureau. For example, this office would be willing to affiliate with and become a 

 part of this central organization and furnish all requisite and valuable information regarding 

 the fruit business in this State by letter, or, if the change were acute and affected in any way 

 market conditions, the information could be forwarded by wire. We in turn would expect 

 similar information from every other district where our fruit came into competition. We 

 believe the Georgia Fruit Exchange and other similar organizations would be glad to join, 

 as the benefits accruing from such information would be invaluable to the interests of all 

 engaged in a like industry. Naturally, financial support would have to be contributed, 

 but not to any great extent as far as I can see at this time, as the only expenses would be 

 the maintenance of an office, with a manager and two assistants, and. of course, the neces- 

 sary stationery with which to distribute this information throughout the country, and if 

 possible, a fund to take care of any telegraphic or long-distance calls that the bureau might 

 be called upon to use in the performance of its work." 



J. H. Christian, secretary and treasurer Neosho Fruit Growers' and Shippers' Associa- 

 tion, Neosho, Mo. (strawberries): "Replying to yours of the 7th regarding the recommen- 

 dation submitted by the committee appointed by the Interstate Conference of Fruit Grow- 

 ers, I will say that I heartily agree with them It will give the growers over the ter- 

 ritory embraced confidence in the organization. This is a move in the right direction, and 

 I have great confidence in the success of such an organization." 



L. M. Garrett, secretary Farmington Fruit Growers' Association, Farmington, N. Mex. 

 (apples): "There is need of more system in the marketing of produce, and the move that 

 will correct the present system is the right move. We need more direct knowledge and a 

 closer touch with the markets, etc." 



N. P. Westcott, Eastern Shore of Virginia Produce Exchange, Olney, Va. (garden 

 crops and potatoes): "We would be very glad to co-operate with you in exchanging infor- 

 mation to the fullest extent that might be advantageous for either your section or ours, 

 and would be willing to adopt any practical plan that might be worked out for that purpose." 



During the season 1914 the Interstate Bureau will attempt 

 nothing further than the exchange of information as to crop 

 and market conditions, but during the winter of 1914-1915 a 

 convention of co-operative associations will be called, and at 

 this convention we may expect to see the beginning of a new 

 era as far as producers and consumers of perishable products 

 are concerned. 



SECOND PART OF MEETING. 



The seventh annual report of the Board of Horticulture 

 contains the complete report of this meeting, and in it will be 

 found the reports from several co-operative fruit growers' as- 

 sociations. Only one of these can be published here. 



A— 24 



