246 MANUAL OF AMERICAN GRAPE-GROWING 



which seems as yet the most necessary precaution to be taken in 

 the preparation of these grapes for eastern shipment. 



MARKETING 



Table-grapes from both eastern and western grape regions 

 are now almost entirely shipped in carload lots. Since few 

 grape-growers are prepared to load a car quickly with grapes, 

 some kind of cooperation is required, or the crop must be 

 handled by large buyers. Cooperative methods are becoming 

 more and more popular, although a large part of the grape crop, 

 both East and West, is now handled by buyers. 



There are several important advantages in selling through a 

 cooperative organization. Thus, in selling cooperatively, the 

 grapes are graded and packed in accordance with one standard ; 

 more favorable transportation rates can be secured by a co- 

 operative association ; and, most important of all, the output 

 can be distributed to the grape markets of the country without 

 the disastrous competition that attends individual marketing. 

 In some of these organizations, also, supplies needed by the 

 grape-grower in producing a crop are purchased more economi- 

 cally than by individuals ; in particular, grape packages can 

 be purchased better by an organization than by an individual. 



As the grape industry and competition grow in the different 

 regions of the country, the necessity of forming marketing 

 organizations becomes greater. Such organizations must be 

 founded on the principles which many experiments have shown 

 best govern fruit-marketing associations. It is not possible to 

 discuss these principles at length, but the following fundamentals 

 will suffice : 



An ideal cooperative association is one in which there are no 

 profits nor dividends. Every member of the whole organized 

 association is a producer. All of the product grown by a 

 member is sold through the association. The association is 



