8" BULLETIlSr 401, U. S. DEPAETME NT OF AGKICULTUKE. 



POSSIBILITIES OF COOPERATION, i 



The contract advance system of marketing appears to be estab- 

 lished firmly in the Imperial Valley because of the financial situa- 

 tion, but there still seems to be possibihties for cooperation among 

 gi'owers. This is particularly evident in the purchase of supplies. 

 At present all seed used is furnished to the grower by the distributor 

 at an average price of $1.25 per pound, and crate material is furnished 

 at a cost of 20 cents per crate, including labels, nails, and paper 

 wraps for melons. While these prices are by no means exorbitant, 

 they do, nevertheless, include a satisfactory profit to the distributor, 

 which might be retained by the grower. A growers' organization by 

 making purchases of such material might effect desirable economies; 

 but although the saving probably would be worth while, it would not 

 be as large as might be expected at first glance, as large Cj[uantities of 

 crate material must be carried over from year to year and must carry 

 interest, insurance, storage, and shrinkage charges. 



A growers' cooperative organization would be effective also in 

 taking upon itself the verifying of the distributor's books at the end 

 of each season. Good business principles alone demand that an 

 effective check of all sales be made at least once a year. A standard 

 form of account sales should be insisted upon. Each account sale 

 should show the market in which the car was sold, the date it arrived, 

 the date it was sold, and the various prices which the different pack- 

 ages brought. Occasionally cars are sold outright in a single sale. 

 In such cases the name of the buyer should be indicated and the 

 various prices per crate shown. Many eastern receivers acting as 

 agents for western muskmelon distributoi*s are lax in making a de- 

 tailed account sales. 



QUALITY. 



Because of the heavy transportation charges involved the California 

 muskmelon is distinctly a semiluxury in the large markets of this 

 country. The only exception is in the markets of the Pacific coast, 

 to which the freight rates are low, so that the melons can be delivered 

 at a moderate price. The muskmelon is an article liked by many but 

 necessary to none. Because of this fact quality is of prime impor- 

 tance. Inferior or tasteless melons are entirely unsatisfactory to the 

 consumer, and the frequent purchasing of muskmelons of such quality 

 will cause him to discontinue buying them. In some seasons the 

 quality of the Imperial Valley melons has been unsatisfactory, due in 

 part to the contract conditions already explained. Although the 

 season of 1915 witnessed some improvement in the average grade 

 shipped, greater improvement is desirable. 



I See Nahstoll, G. A., and Kerr, W. H. "A system of accounting for cooperative fruit associations." 

 U. S. Dept. of Apiculture, Bui. 225, 1915. 



