30 



THE C U P. A R E \' 



1-: w 



CO-OPERATION IN FRUIT HANDLING 



I'rom an article published in pamphlet 

 form, on "Co-operation in the iiandling 

 and Marketing of Fruit" by G. Harold 

 Powell, former pomologist antl acting chief 

 of the Bureau of Plant Industry, and now 

 secretary of the Citrus Protective League 

 of Southern California, a few excerpts are 

 given, space not permitting the printing 

 of the entire contribution. The advantages 

 of co-operation among the fruit and vege- 

 table growers of Cuba has long been ad- 

 mitted and desired, and in fact an organiza- 

 tion for handling fruit — the Cuba Fruit 

 Exchange — is now in working order in 

 Havana, prepared to market the crops of 

 its members, of which there are 175. Mr. 

 Powell says that in protecting the orchards 

 from insect pests or diseases, in picking 

 the fruit, preparing it for shipment, direct- 

 inp- its distribution, storage and marketing, 

 in advertising the products extensively and 

 in handling the legislative questions which 

 affect the industry, the co-operative organi- 

 zation is of unlimited assistance and value 

 to the fruit grower. 



■'A non-profit association represents the 

 ideal type of co-operation, and in this the 

 members usually have an equal voice in its 

 management and share proportionately in 

 its benefits and risks. Such an organization 

 is a voluntary industrial democracy in 

 which the fruit growers manage and con- 



No. and Size 



trol the distribution and marketing of their 

 own products. Every member of the asso- 

 ciation is a bona fide producer and his 

 fruit is handled exclusively i)y the asso- 

 ciation. All of the operations are carried 

 on at cost and after operating expenses, 

 depreciation and a reasonable interest on 

 the capital invested in the equipment of 

 the association are deducted, the profits 

 are distributed to the members in propor- 

 tion to the amount of bu.siness each has 

 transacted through the organization. The 

 powers of the association are vested in a 

 board of directors selected by the growers, 

 who manage and control its affairs and 

 business through officers or agents ap- 

 pointed by it and subject to its advice and 

 direction." 



"Several factors have been contributed 

 to the downfall of fruit grow'ers' associa- 

 tion. Alany of them have been formed by 

 impractical, often unsuccessful enthusiasts 

 with high motives, but with no business 

 experience and little standing in their com- 

 munities. The successful handling of a 

 co-operative association requires a manager 

 who is competent to assume the general 

 direction of the affairs and business of the 

 association. He must have a high order 

 of business ability, sterling integrity, un- 

 usual tact and judgment in handling men, 

 and unlimited energy. An association un- 



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■La.vers 1 asd u — o; 'jayer 2- 



Layers 1 and 3 — 6; Layer ?■ 



Layers 1 and 3 — 5; Layer 2—7. 



No. and Size 54: Dia. 4"^ in.. Layers 3. No. and Size 64, Dia. 4Viin., Layers 4. No. and Size TJ , D 



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Diagram for packing grape fruit. By H. Harold Hume.— From tlie Bulletin of the 

 Florida Experiment Station. 



