i86 COOPERATIVE MARKETING 



is always a pertinent question, and if the California co- 

 operative system cannot make a satisfactory showing in 

 this regard it must stand condemned. The old line packers 

 and shippers charged about 35 cents a box for marketing 

 and guaranteeing collections. For the same service, and 

 in addition for the incalculable benefit from the informa- 

 tion that the old line shippers could not possibly obtain, the 

 claims they could not possibly collect, and the advertising 

 they could not possibly carry on, the costs of the central 

 exchange to its members have been : 



ToTAi, Cost per Packed Box for Conducting the California Fruit 

 Growers Exchange, 1904-05 to 1915-16.' 



1904-5 $0,045 



1905-6 068 



1906-7 052 



1907-8 054 



1908-9 053 



1909-10 061 



1910-11 065 



1911-12 075 



1912-13 073 



1913-14 057 



1914-15 .062 



1915-16 074 



Average 0616 



This marketing cost of approximately six cents a box 

 represents some 2.5 per cent, on gross sales. To obtain 

 the total cost of marketing, the expenses of the district 

 (exchange must be added. As these amount to slightly less 

 than one cent a packed box, the total cost of selling Cali- 

 fornia citrus fruits through the exchange system is about 

 seven cents a box, or somewhat less than 3 per cent, on gross 

 'sales. Such a showing is extremely commendable when 

 it is remembered that 10 per cent, on gross sales is no un- 

 usual selling cost for agricultural products. 



^ Figures compiled from the Amiual Reports of the General Man- 

 ager of the California Fruit Growers Exchange. 



