MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION OF STRAWBERRIES. 5 
These organizations have relieved the grower of most of the details 
of the disposal of his crop, and in many cases have undertaken the 
difficult responsibility of securing a sufficient quantity of supplies of 
proper quality, such as berry plants, fertilizers, crates, and boxes. 
Some associations even maintain a labor bureau for securing help 
during the harvesting season. The success of such a cooperative or- 
ganization depends upon the united efforts of all members to maintain 
a high degree of efficiency and so to frame the requirements of the 
organization that those composing it will feel the responsibility of 
their membership. 
In some cases, by concerted action, a number of local organiza- 
tions have secured a high degree of uniformity in the grade and pack 
of the berries. 
All associations do not perform the same functions for their mem- 
bers, as some of them take the entire responsibility for the disposal of 
the crop, and others only load cars which are consigned to various 
firms in the markets as designated by the growers. Some associa- 
tions practically pay cash for berries delivered, and others do not. 
Various methods of handling the business of the association have been 
worked out to meet the requirements of the different types of busi- 
ness carried on. 1 Different associations have developed different 
types of receipts to be given the growers for berries delivered. A few 
of these typical forms are shown on pages 6 and 7. 
Figure 2 is the type of receipt used by an association which sold 
cars on track at the loading point to representatives of northern 
wholesale houses. Under these conditions the prices for the different 
grades and varieties are usually established by noon each day, and as 
the berries are not delivered at the cars until afternoon or evening, 
the price can be indicated on the receipt when it is issued to the 
grower. 
Figure 3 is the form used in a locality where the association does not 
undertake the sale of the berries. In 1915 this association purchased 
supplies for its members, arranged with the railroad for an adequate 
supply of iced cars, and kept a record of the berries shipped and of the 
names of the firms receiving them. The actual disposal of the berries 
was arranged for by the grower, who dealt directly with the represen- 
tatives of the wholesale houses in the single market to which all berries 
from this section go. The grower made out his receipt in duplicate, 
giving one copy to the bookkeeper, who made out the car manifests. 
These were used as delivery sheets by the agent in the market, who 
delivered the different lots of berries to the various consignees as 
requested by the growers. Such an arrangement as this is possible 
only where all berries are sold on consignment. 
i See Nahstoll, G. A., and Kerr, W. H. A System of Accounting for Cooperative Fruit Associations,, 
U. S. Dept. of Agriculture Bui. 225, 1915. 
