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far better selling in the open package than we can by grad- 

 ing and selling in the closed package, as we have to reject a 

 great many apples that otherwise could go in the B grade. 

 "We sold some of our aples this year, orchard run, down to 

 2 1-4 for $1.35 a box in the orchard. They came with trucks 

 and took them away. — ^no sorting or grading of any kind. 



MR. WHARTON: Mr. Gage, as manager of this ex- 

 change, you, of course, do not give your whole time to it 

 except at certain seasons? 



MR. GAGE : I could not, no sir, I am a business man. 

 I am interested in economies. It may possibly give you 

 gentlemen an idea of some of the difficulties of starting co- 

 operative exchanges. They will naturally be small, and you 

 will be unable to pay much money, and somebody will have 

 to do it practically gratuitously. 



I have been interested for a long time in economic prob- 

 lems, — ever since 1 left college. My income last year from 

 the Exchange was .*32 and some cents. (Laughter.) The 

 time I put into it, had I put it into my business, would have 

 netted me somewhere around $350 to $400 for the same 

 time. It is simply a question that you have got to find men 

 who are willing to do something for their country in times 

 of peace, as well as those who are willing to serve in times 

 of war. You have got to consider other people, you have 

 got to help and try and assist others to progress. Other- 

 wise some of the problems of each generation will remain 

 unsolved, and you will be of no aid. I hope, myself, to have 

 been something besides a mere earner of money. That is 

 why I am doing this work. (Applause.) 



A MEMBER : Tf there is plenty of time, I would like to 

 inquire about the grading. How much grading is required? 

 Does a machine only grade for size, and then you have to 

 grade for color and wormy apples and defects? 



MR. GAGE : Yes. We grade in strict accordance with 

 the state law. and have an understanding with the buyer as 

 to how small he wishes to have the apples in the A grade. 

 Our minimum size on A grade thus far has been 2 1-2 inches. 



