HUDSON UivEu FRUIT EXCHANGE 737 



MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCES 



In our initial year we bought and sold $110,000 worth of 

 goods, paid our office expenses, saved our members several thou- 

 sands of dollars, and were encouraged to go ahead with the assur- 

 ance that we were on the right track. All of this was done on a 

 capital of about $500. 



The second year we started with an increased membership 

 numbering (50 and with a capital of $1,200; we did an aggregate 

 business of $280,000, of which $35,000 was for goods sold f. o. b. 

 loading stations, $40,000 for supplies purchased, and the balance 

 for goods sold on commission. 



The third year of our work we began with a membership of 

 110 and a capital of $2,200, but this year was fraught with many 



KKJ. 191. LOADING BY CARLOAD AT MILTON. N. Y. MANAGER R. B. CROWELL 

 IN FOREGROUND WITH CAP 



contingencies. Prices ruled very low on most of our small fruits, 

 especially currants, many remaining unpicked. A drought and a 

 hail storm injured the pear, apple, and grape crops, and there 

 were no peaches at all.. In spite of all these conditions, our 

 manager sold over 100 tons of currants and grapes respectively, 

 at a price that helped us over the hard places. The total of this 

 year's business was nearly $200,000 with' the same relative saving 

 to each member, or a total saving of at least $10,000. Our f. o. b. 



