Canning [ndustry from Grower's Standpoint L255 



dealing with eanners of the type mentioned many growers have 

 made but a scant living-, and have not received an adequate return 

 for their labor or investment. 



The growers in this locality found that the whole solution of 

 their troubles was to cooperate, which they did. 



ADVANTAGE OF COOPERATION 



By cooperation the growers bettered all conditions. They re- 

 ceived one dollar more per ton for their tomatoes than they had 

 been previously paid and were given a better contract. In this 

 contract the preserver agreed to receive all marketable tomatoes 

 to a certain date, and further consented to a two-payment clause 

 in the contract — payment for one-half of all tomatoes delivered 

 up to September fifteenth, and the balance within ten days after 

 the remainder of the crop had been delivered. They also agreed 

 to furnish packages. In fact they were much more congenial and 

 businesslike than they had been, and there was really a change 

 in business, which was, 1 believe, for the good of all concerned. 



Cooperation is a necessity in some localities ; growers have been 

 compelled to either " get together," or go out of the business. Can- 

 ners as a rule do not advocate dealing with a cooperative associa- 

 tion; in fact they have been more or less antagonistic. But I be- 

 lieve the time is not far distant when they can be made to see the 

 efficiency and wisdom in doing so — as soon as it can be shown 

 that a policy of this kind takes into consideration fairness to the 

 canner. 



If the growers are to demand fair play they must in turn do 

 their share, and while an association is, undoubtedly, in a better 

 position to maintain a fair price for its products and demand fair 

 treatment for its members, it should at all times apply good sense 

 in conducting its business. We must not ask an exhorbitant price ; 

 the canner must receive the raw products within certain limits of 

 cost, and the treatment accorded him should be in the light of a 

 prospective partner. Further, we should make no distinction in 

 the matter of fair dealings between that accorded the canner and 

 our own members. We should deliver good quality produce, goods 

 that would please, rather than to try to get rid of poor, unmarket- 

 able products. 



