2 BULLETIN 1109, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
the unusual difficulties which must be overcome in the successful 
marketing of cranberries. 
The cranberry growers of the United States are widely separated. 
The three largest producing districts are in Massachusetts, New Jersey, 
and Wisconsin. Cooperative marketing involved the coordination 
of the growers in these three widely separated localities into one 
central selling association. 
The consuming public looks upon the cranberry as a luxury rather 
than a prime necessity. It is generally considered a holiday fruit. 
Thanksgiving and Christmas bring the turkey with its cranberry 
sauce to the minds of the American people, but Thanksgiving and 
Christmas demands alone are not sufficient to support the industry. 
Figure 1 shows the seasonal demand for this fruit. Over three- 
Fig. 1.— A problem of vital importance to cranberry growers is that of lengthening the consumption 
period. Since a large portion of the cranberry crop is now packed and shipped during three months, 
the grower is forced to maintain extensive screening and packing equipment which is idle all but a small 
part of the year. 
fourths of the crop is marketed during October, November and 
December. This heavy demand during so short a period makes it 
impossible for many growers to maintain the necessary packing and 
screening equipment. Therefore, one of the important tasks before 
the growers is that of lengthening the consumption period. Further- 
more, the consumption of the fruit depends, to no small extent, upon 
the supply and price of sugar. 
Add to these difficulties the element of perishability and the 
problem of establishing uniform grades, and it can readily be seen 
that the successful marketing of cranberries is no small undertaking. 
A few of the outstanding accomplishments of cooperation in this 
industry are : 
1. A reputation for quality has been built up by establishing and 
maintaining uniform grades and packs. 
