No. 4.] FRUIT GROWING IN NOVA SCOTIA. 39 



was on too comprehensive a scale and was not founded on busi- 

 ness principles, it was a failure. 



In 1907 a few of the most up-to-date and energetic farmers 

 in Berwick made up their minds, however, that in co-operation 

 alone was to be found a cure for the state of affairs that then 

 existed. The product from their orchards was increasing year 

 by year, and they realized that there were only two ways in 

 wdiich they could give proper attention to the packing and 

 grading of their fruit. One way was to build individual apple 

 houses on their farms large enough to permit of fruit being 

 stored and packed; another way was to get together and build 

 or buy a large warehouse on the line of railw^ay, where the 

 apples of all could be stored and packed. The latter was the 

 scheme that appeared the most attractive, and these men 

 formed the first co-operative fruit company in Nova Scotia. 



This company was called the Berwick Fruit Company, and 

 was incorporated under the Nova Scotia joint stock companies' 

 act, with an authorized capital of $10,000. Warehouse accom- 

 modation was secured, and during the first season some 7,000 

 barrels of apples were handled. This company did not limit 

 its sphere of usefulness to the mere handling of apples, but it 

 aimed, also, at being an educational power. The leaders of this 

 movement soon found that one of the most important factors 

 in successful co-operative fruit packing was the production of 

 good fruit. The company therefore used its best influence to 

 educate its members and also farmers generally in the matter 

 of careful cultivation, spraying, and the other operations 

 necessary to secure high-class fruit. 



At the beginning of the second season the membership of 

 this company had doubled, and a new warehouse was purchased. 

 In 1908 the output of this company was 15,000 barrels, 

 which increased the following year to 22,000. 



The early history of this company is a splendid demonstra- 

 tion of what can be done by a body of men associated together 

 for the common benefit. The superiority of the pack put out 

 secured splendid prices. While farmers outside the company 

 had to be content wdth SI. 25 per barrel, tree run, for their 

 apples, the members of the co-operative company were receiving 

 $2.65 for No. 1 grade of fruit, $1.90 for No. 2 and $1.22 for 

 No. 3. 



