136 



LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR POSSIBILITIES 



This is an organization that many growers in the neighborhood 

 think has been pretty nearly a failure, but it did that thing, and that 

 thing alone would be sufficient to justify its existence. Practically 

 the same story might be told of Ionia. 



AID IN SELLING 



The next step in organization progress is the establishment of 

 simple selling arrangements. Last year the market gardeners of 

 Newburgh, New York, joined together in an association. They did 

 not attempt to control prices absolutely, or to make agreements 

 binding upon their m^embers. This, of course, would be exceedingly 

 difficult, as it is frequently necessary to cut prices to sell the last of a 

 load. They did, however, agree to keep in close touch with each 

 other, and to confer directly on prices. The result has been that 

 returns have been very much more satisfactory. 



This from Newburgh: 



'T think we are deriving quite a benefit from the Association, 

 as it brings us into closer touch with one another, thereby creating 

 a friendship which we never had before. In that way, it has given us 

 better prices, as by knowing what our neighbors were getting, we 

 would try harder for ourselves, as well as keeping us better posted as 

 to what was in the field ready for market." 



The Long Island Potato Exchange does not attempt to control the 

 whole potato crop of its constituency. No scheme of grading and sell- 

 ing and pooling of proceeds has been worked out. They are, however, 

 doing most effective work in price control. Mr. Talmage, the activity 

 of your association consists chiefly in buying up the surplus and hold- 

 ing up prices in that way, does it not? 



Mr. Talmage : We don't try to get them all nor to pool our crops 

 at all. When the other fellow puts the price down or attempts to, 

 we are right there to offer a price. 



Mr. Work: That does not involve nearly the difficulties that 

 would be met if you tried to get the grower to bring you the whole 

 crop to be graded and pooled. But you will come after a while to 

 such a system. 



Thus we find that there are in actual operation throughout the 

 East a great number of co-operative associations which seem able 

 to carry on comparatively simple enterprises to the great advantage 

 of their communities. Many of these organizations are belittled by 



