MARKETING 289 



refrigeration cost 21 cents in 1914 and 18.9 in 1916. During 

 the other two years, the figure remains between these two. 

 The sale cost which represents the proportion which goes to 

 the cooperative organization has remained each year as 

 1.2 cents; packing 7.3 cents in 1914 and 6.4 in 1916. Picking 

 and hauling has cost about 2.2 cents each year. The fruit 

 has, therefore, netted the growers during these four years 

 the difference between the totals, given here and one hundred. 

 That is, of the dollar which the consumer paid, the grower 

 received 25.9 cents in 1914; in 1915 his share was 34.6; in 

 1916 it had risen to 38.9 and in 1917 it was 33.2 cents. 



It should be remembered in connection with these figures 

 that they deal with a very perishable product which is mar- 

 keted in most cases several thousands of miles away from the 

 point where it was grown at a season of the year when loss 

 from decay is likely to be very large. 



Studies of this sort have a great value in determining the 

 exact facts regarding the cost of marketing and in suggesting 

 the points at which improvements may be made. Those 

 phases of marketing which at present are weak may in this 

 way be strengthened. The charge of profiteering so fre- 

 quently made can be proved if it really exists, and if it does 

 not the marketing organizations will be freed from the incubus 

 of an undeserved accusation. 



