% 



STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 45 



may be loaded at $1.75 a crate; then the platform price is $1.50, 

 and the growers receive credit for the fruit delivered at that 

 price per crate. 



When the strawberry season is over the expenses of the asso- 

 ciation in handling the crop are deducted from the 25 cents 

 profit retained on each crate, and the remaining sum is appor- 

 tioned to the growers who furnish strawberries, according to 

 the original sums they received as the platform price. 



This same plan has been followed through all the season. 



The members of the association are much encouraged, and 

 have seen the necessity of maintaining their organization. 

 Greater quantities of fruit have been shipped from Wathena 

 than ever before in a single season, and at a time when all the 

 neighboring country has good fruit crops. Notwithstanding 

 the large fruit crops, however, the prices received by the grow- 

 ers have been better than for many years, and instead of feeling 

 discouraged, the members are planting increased acreages to 

 fruits. Their organization has made the business profitable, 

 when without it they were considering giving up the business. 



The association guarantees its fruit. All fruit is inspected 

 when delivered, and after that time the organization stands be- 

 hind the guarantee. In order to maintain a good reputation for 

 its fruit, the members are urged to plant varieties which will 

 carry a market in good order. 



The growers in almost any community can organize along 

 the lines of the Wathena Association. Get a few of the lead- 

 ing growers to start the association ; the first year discourage- 

 ments will be met, but if the organization is properly managed, 

 the next year things will come easier. 



'One thing which cannot be too carefully guarded in an or- 

 ganization of this kind,' said the manager, 'is the reputation of 

 the fruit sent out. Every grower must realize that he is a part 

 of a mutual organization, and he must see to it that he does 

 nothing which will injure the reputation of the association or 

 his fruit. Each member is on his honor to pack nothing but 

 good fruit, and it is to the credit of the members that they have 

 established a high reputation for their fruit and their methods.' " 



Our New England conditions are so similar to those of On- 

 tario and the other provinces of eastern Canada that it is worth 

 while to consider some of the forms of organization and the 



