24 BULLETIN 1109, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
culture. It is doubtful, indeed, if the association could influence 
acreage to any great extent. If cranberry production yields a good 
return over a period of years, the acreage devoted to this product 
increases as a matter of course. If, on the other hand, returns are 
small, acreage decreases. Hence the exchange influences acreage 
only indirectly through the relation of the price obtained to the cost 
of production. Certainly it has no power to say who shall or who 
shall not grow cranberries. Furthermore, since cranberries do not 
come into full bearing for four to six years after planting, a program 
of artificial restriction of acreage would have the added difficulty 
imposed by the necessity of forecasting conditions likely to exist 
four to six years in the future. 
In regard to the yield per acre, it can be safely said that it is the 
earnest desire of the cooperative associations, as well as that of every 
cranberry grower, to attain the highest possible efficiency in pro- 
duction. Efficiency in production demands yields commensurate 
with the amount of land, labor, and capital devoted to the enterprise. 
Cooperative associations materially aid the growers to increase their 
efficiency in production by the adoption of improved methods and 
practices. To this end specialists on cranberry culture are employed 
to visit and advise with the growers. 
The futility of control of the supply by the association is better 
illustrated by the fact that weather conditions and disease and insect 
pests beyond the control of the grower, may double, cut in half, or 
practically wipe out altogether the yield of a given district. 
The fluctuation in yields since the organization of the growers in 
1907 is an indication that the associations have little control over 
quantities produced. During the last 14 years cranberry production 
has fluctuated from 40 per cent below the average to 35 per cent 
above the average. (See fig. 6.) The cooperative associations own 
no bogs. As has been stated, to monopolize supply would require 
that they own or control all potential cranberry acreage — an almost 
impossible accomplishment. In short, the possibility of artificially 
regulating the quantity of cranberries grown during a given season 
seems at present beyond serious consideration. 
Prices are as dependent upon conditions influencing demand as 
they are upon the factors of supply. Especially is this true of com- 
modities which are easily substituted or not considered as necessities, 
a class which includes many fruits and vegetables. The whims of 
the consuming public may make such a commodity valuable or worth- 
less regardless of its production costs. This is a fact overlooked in 
too many instances. It can be said without hesitation that the price 
received for cranberries is dependent in no small measure upon the 
demand of the consuming public. 
