24 BULLETIN 1109, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTTJRE. 



culture. It is doubtful, indeed, if the association could influence 

 acreage to any great extent. If cranberry production yields a good 

 return over a period of years, the acreage devoted to this product 

 increases as a matter of course. If, on the other hand, returns are 

 small, acreage decreases. Hence the exchange influences acreage 

 only indirectly through the relation of the price' obtained to the cost 

 of production. Certainly it has no power to say who shall or who 

 shall not grow cranberries. Furthermore, since cranberries do not 

 come into full bearmg for four to six years after planting, a program 

 of artificial restriction of acreage would have the added difficulty 

 imposed by the necessity of forecasting conditions likely to exist 

 four to six years in the future. 



In regard to the yield per acre, it can be safely said that it is the 

 earnest desire of the cooperative associations, as well as that of every 

 cranberry grower, to attain the highest possible efficiency in pro- 

 duction. Efficiency in production demands yields commensurate 

 with the amount of land, labor, and capital devoted to the enterprise. 

 Cooperative associations materially aid the growers to increase their 

 efficiency in production by the adoption of improved methods and 

 practices. To this end specialists on cranberry culture are employed 

 to visit and advise with the growers. 



The futility of control of the supply by the association is better 

 illustrated by the fact that weather conditions and disease and insect 

 pests beyond the control of the grower, may double, cut in half, or 

 practically wipe out altogether the yield of a given district. 



The fluctuation in yields since the organization of the growers in 

 1907 is an indication that the associations have little control over 

 quantities produced. During the last 14 years cranberry production 

 has fluctuated from 40 per cent below the average to 35 per cent 

 above the average. (See fig. 6.) The cooperative associations own 

 no bogs. As has been stated, to monopolize supply would require 

 that they own or control all potential cranberry acreage — an almost 

 impossible accomplishment. In short, the possibility of artificially 

 regulating the quantity of cranberries grown during a given season 

 seems at present beyond serious consideration. 



Prices are as dependent upon conditions influencing demand as 

 they are upon the factors of supply. Especially is this true of com- 

 modities which are easily substituted or not considered as necessities, 

 a class which includes many fruits and vegetables. The whims of 

 the consuming public may make such a commodity valuable or worth- 

 less regardless of its production costs. This is a fact overlooked in 

 too many instances. It can be said without hesitation that the price 

 received for cranberries is dependent in no small measure upon the 

 demand of the consuming public. 



