BULLETIN 1109, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGFJCULTTJEE. 



the unusual difficulties which must be overcome in the successful 

 marketing of cranberries. 



The cranberry growers of the United States are widely separated. 

 The three largest producing districts are in Massachusetts, New Jersey, 

 and Wisconsin. Cooperative marketing involved the coordination 

 of the growers in these three widely separated localities into one 

 central selling association. 



The consuming public looks upon the cranberry as a luxury rather 

 than a prime necessity. It is generally considered a holiday fruit. 

 Thanksgiving and Christmas bring the turkey with its cranberry 

 sauce to the minds of the American people, but Thanksgiving and 

 Christmas demands alone are not sufficient to support the industry. 

 Figure 1 shows the seasonal demand for this fruit. Over three- 



50 



AO 



20 



DISTRIBUTION OF 



CRANBERRIES BY 



MONTHS, I9I4-20 



INCLUSIVE 



20' 



Fig. 1. — A problem of vital i mportance to cranberry growers is that of lengthening the consumption 

 period. Since a large portion of the cranberry crop is now packed and shipped during three months, 

 the grower is forced to maintain extensive screening and packing equipment which is idle aU but a small 

 part of the year. 



fourths of the crop is marketed during October, November and 

 December. This heavy demand during so short a period makes it 

 impossible for many growers to maintain the necessary packing and 

 screening equipment. Therefore, one of the important tasks before 

 the growers is that of lengthening the consumption period. Further- 

 more, the consumption of the fruit depends, to no small extent, upon 

 the supply and price of sugar. 



Add to these difficulties the element of perishability and the 

 problem of establishing uniform grades, and it can readily be seen 

 that the successful marketing of cranberries is no small undertaking. 



A few of the outstanding accomplishments of cooperation in this 

 industry are: 



1. A reputation for quality has been built up by establishing and 

 maintaining uniform grades and packs. 



