312 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



But even with these arrangements difficulties arise, 

 so that in order to protect themselves, the larger associa- 

 tions have agents at the more important distributing 

 points. It is the duty of these agents or brokers to 

 inspect all cars that come into their territory, as near 

 the destination as possible, and thus protect the association 

 from dishonest buyers. The agent also is on hand to ad- 

 just differences that arise when the fruit actually reaches 

 the buyer in poor condition. 



Express shipments are made only to comparatively 

 near-by points, and with such shipments the growers 

 receive exactly what the fruit brings less the expressage 

 and the association's commission. It is usually the early 

 fruits that are expressed, but prohibitive rates prevent 

 any very large amount of business being done in this 

 way. 



A well-managed association is always a benefit to the 

 entire community, because it builds up reputation for fruit, 

 and sustains prices, inasmuch as there is little tendency, 

 even among non-members, to bid one against another in 

 marketing. The greatest good that an association can do 

 is not to protect the grower from the buyer, but to insist 

 on improved methods of all phases of orcharding so that a 

 perfect product may be secured. There is never any 

 difficulty in selling fruit of the best quality; and this 

 fruit can be produced only by the combined efforts of 

 the growers, such as the modern association affords. 



When fruit of poor quality is abundant, as it usually 

 is, indifferent packing and haphazard consignments are 

 clearly the principal causes of low prices. It is idle to 

 assume that prominent associations are responsible for 



