PROBLEMS OF COOPERATIVE MARKETING ASSOCIATIONS 11 



bringing home to the growers the wastes arising from the production 

 of undesirable varieties. Some adjustments are already being made. 

 Nevertheless, the Western Xew York Fruit Growers' Cooperative 

 Packing Association, as one example, handled during the 1924r-25 

 season 60 varieties of apples, but 70 per cent of its tonnage was made 

 up of two varieties — Baldwin and Khode Island Greening — and 5 

 varieties accounted for more than 90 per cent. It is safe to say that 

 the 55 varieties, representing less than 10 per cent of the tonnage, 

 were a liability to the members of the organization. 



Although adjustments in production are being carried forward, 

 careful sales work is necessary to dispose of the odd varieties. If 

 certain markets or dealers show a preference for any of these 

 varieties, or are not prejudiced against them, these outlets should 

 be developed. As a general rule, the smaller towns will be found 

 to be better markets for odd varieties than are the large cities, 

 but proper trade connections must be built up in these markets 

 and must be maintained through fair treatment and the shipment 

 of reliable products. 



Varieties poor in keeping quality, or inferior in size, appearance, 

 or quality can not be sold to advantage in any market, and should 

 be discarded as quickly as possible. The production standards of 

 yield, resistance to disease, time of maturity, etc., by which varieties 

 are selected, must be amplified by a consideration of the marketable 

 qualities of the varieties and their keeping quality under handling, 

 transit, and storage conditions. 



PACKING, STORAGE, AND GRADING DIFFICULTIES 



Following the production of products of good quality, methods 

 of handling, packing, and grading the product are fundamental 

 to successful marketing. This factor was recognized in a general 

 way by the managers interviewed, but at the same time handling 

 and grading practices were far from being standardized. There 

 are many sources from which loss may arise. The most important 

 are: 



1. Loss from decay or deterioration due to injuries to the product 

 inflicted during the harvesting and packing operations. 



Handling injuries are a comon source of loss in the fruit and 

 vegetable industry. Extensive investigations by the Department of 

 Agriculture, initiated over 20 years ago, have shown that the loss 

 to California citrus growers from decay caused by handling injuries 

 totaled approximately $1,000,000 annually, on the basis of 1901 

 production and prices. The same proportional wastage was found 

 in Florida citrus fruits, and in practically all the more perishable 

 fruits and vegetables, while none were free from loss by this cause. 2 



2 Several publications have been issued by the Department of Agriculture on this sub- 

 ject, most of which are now out of print, but are available in agricultural libraries. 

 Thp more important are the following Department Bulletins : 



No. 123. The decay of oranges while in transit from California. 1908. 



No. 63. Factors governing the successful shipment of oranges from Florida. 1004. 



No. 274. Factors governing the successful shipment of red raspberries from the Puyal- 

 lup Valley. 1915. 



No. 331. The handling and shipping of fresh cherries and prunes from the Willamette 

 Valley. 1916. 



No. 587. The handling and storage of apples in the Pacific Northwest. 1017. 



No. 601. The handling and precooline- of Florida lettuce and celery. 1917. 



No. 1072. The handling, shipping, aid cold storage of Bartlett pears in the Pacific 

 Coast States, 1922, 



