COOPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS 273 



Selling through cooperative associations, which is more largely prac- 

 ticed by the fruit growers of the West than any other section of the 

 United States, has proven successful just in proportion as the members 

 have followed the rules, regulations, and instructions of such associa- 

 tions, which in many cases has been done with very gratifying results. 

 In addition to returning profits to the producer, which formerly went to 

 a number of middlemen, cooperation has taught the grower the economic 

 value of a first-class product; the economic importance of picking, pack- 

 ing, and handling his produce; and fair dealing with the purchaser and 

 public. 



From the reports of a number of successful associations submitted 

 to the station it is shown that cooperation enables growers to make use 

 of a number of better business methods: (1) By enabling them, through 

 their manager or representative, to meet on equal terms the men with 

 whom they deal. Their representative, thoroughly understanding the 

 markets, "with all the growers and a good pack behind him, controls 

 a business that demands respect, and he should generally be able to 

 set the price." It must be remembered, however, that cooperation is 

 not for the purpose of creating a monopoly or forcing unnatural prices 

 for the product. (2) It frequently brings about or forces track selling, 

 which in the opinion of some brings better results than consigning, one 

 association reporting that for 272 cars consigned it received an average 

 of $1 per crate and for 288 cars sold on track $1.66 per crate. (3) Whole- 

 sale dealing is made possible, not only in selling farm products but in 

 buying anything the grower needs, especially packing material, spraying 

 materials, fertilizers, and the like. (4) Because of the large business 

 it controls the association is likely to get better service from the rail- 

 roads, cold-storage plants, etc. "Then it is in a postion to secure 

 adjustments with the railroads and other large concerns on points of 

 disagreement, when the cost of litigation would make such adjustments 

 impossible with the small grower." (5) Men of better business ability 

 than the average grower can be secured to manage the association, 

 which means much in the economic disposition of a fruit crop or most 

 any other crop, for many of the best growers, who understand their 

 trees and the methods of care the best, are not the best adapted to deal 

 with men and markets and market conditions. 



Cooperation further enables growers to make use of fruits grown 

 in small quantities, which are often wasted because no man has enough 

 to sell to advantage. With cooperation a car could often be loaded and 

 the fruit used to some advantage to each grower, carload lots being 

 considered the economic unit of shipment. It secures better equipment 

 for handling a crop in a section, as disorganized sections are less likely 

 to have the necessary cold storage, precooling, and other equipment for 

 the best handling of a fruit crop. In addition to the benefits of co- 

 operation already mentioned, Mr. Chandler notes the following: (1) The 

 crop may be distributed so as to prevent gluts in the market; (2) it 

 enables the growers to establish a brand that will be known in the 



