Fundamentals in Cooperation 21 



finish of the fruit different should be led to form a local 

 organization for the same purpose. For the same reason, 

 the growers of every other local section or in different 

 parts of the same section where the fruit is different in 

 character should organize and develop their own local 

 business problems. Later, as a matter of economy and 

 business efficiency, these different associations may feder- 

 ate and organize a central body to act as an agent in mar- 

 keting the fruit of each association or to furnish the facili- 

 ties for marketing, to purchase the supplies used by all, 

 and to handle these problems that are common to all alike. 

 But each association should preserve its local character 

 by selling its product under a brand that is the exclusive 

 property of that association, thereby holding and develop- 

 ing the local pride and reputation of that section. 



AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION MUST BE BORN OF NE- 

 CESSITY 



The reason for an industrial organization among farmers 

 must lie in some vital service which it is expected to per- 

 form, if it is to have virility enough to live in the face of 

 the competition to which every new farmers' organiza- 

 tion is subjected. A farmers' business association cannot 

 be formed without competing with agencies already es- 

 tablished. If it is a serious business undertaking, the 

 forces of competition will be directed towards crushing 

 it ; it will be viciously attacked by its competitors ; in- 

 sidious suspicions of all kinds which are apt to influence 

 the average farmer will be circulated regarding it ; it 

 may be crippled by the railroads through quiet discrimina- 

 tion in the furnishing of cars or in the extending of trans- 



