Marketing Fruit 303 



that do not support thriving associations. That three- 

 fourths of all the fruit grown in the western states is mar- 

 keted through associations would be a conservative esti- 

 mate; perhaps four-fifths would be more nearly correct. 

 Unfortunately, however, not all of these institutions are 

 worthy of the name. 



The number of fruit and produce associations in the 

 various states may be summarized as follows: Colorado 

 32,' Idaho 4, Montana 1, New Mexico 3, Oregon 12, Wash- 

 ington 18. 



Advantages of Association 



It is well known that farmers are slow to organize and 

 that many of their attempts have met with failure. It 

 will be instructive, therefore, to inquire into the reason for 

 successful cooperation in the West, as well as to discuss 

 the advantages to the grower. 



Before the days of associations there was a time when 

 all of the fruit was consumed by the home markets. Those 

 were days of high prices and of prosperity. Increased 

 production rapidly followed, and this necessitated that an 

 outlet be found in the markets of the world. High freight 

 rates, distance from markets, lack of business experience, 

 lack of reputation, want of experience in packing, and 

 eastern competition, were difficult problems to face and 

 overcome. Only the few fruit-growers with exceptional 

 business ability, who could produce or command car- 

 load lots, could hope to succeed, and for the small grower 

 there was little chance of success. Car-load lots must be 

 the unit of shipments; and express shipments, even to-day, 

 are out of question except to near-by points. All growers 

 were alike at the mercy of commission men and traveling 



