COOPERATIVE CITRUS-FRUIT MARKETING AGENCY. 43 
green" lemons may be stored for a similar period. Aside from the 
fact that two varieties of oranges have been developed with noncon- 
flicting marketing seasons, each of these varieties can be marketed 
over a longer period than any deciduous fruit with the possible 
exception of the apple. 
Exchange shipments for the 1909-10 season were 954,130 boxes of 
Valencia and 4,432,718 boxes of navel oranges. In 1917-18, how- 
ever, shipments of Yalencias exceeded those of navels and have been 
larger in years following, except during the 1921-22 season when 
shipments of navels were about 330,000 boxes greater than those of 
Valencias. On account of a large nonbearing acreage, shipments of 
Valencia oranges promise to exceed considerably those of navel 
oranges in the future. 
Lemons are picked throughout the year. The heaviest production 
is during the spring months; and these lemons, as a rule, go on the 
market during the summer when the demand is greatest. The de- 
mand for lemon drinks during hot weather is the most important 
single factor in the marketing of lemons. The exchange, however, 
through its advertising has stressed winter uses of lemons and has 
had some success in establishing a year-round market. 
IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICE. 
The traffic department of the exchange has always been active in 
securing better freight and refrigeration rates and better service from 
the transportation companies. The controversy oyer rates and serv- 
ice is of long standing. This controversy has had three stages. In 
the first stage, the unorganized growers accepted whatever service 
or equipment the railroads offered. Claims for damage to shipments 
in transit were generally refused by the railroad companies and could 
be collected only through the courts, if at all. In the second stage, 
the exchange and other organized shippers were able to secure data 
regarding the manner in which these shipments were handled in tran- 
sit. Claims were bitterly fought on both sides, and contentions re- 
garding rates and service were carried to the Interstate Commerce 
Commission. 
A better understanding on both sides was finally reached. Although 
the Interstate Commerce Commission is still called upon at intervals 
to adjust questions of rates, the transportation companies have vol- 
untarily made great improvements in their refrigerator-car equip- 
ment and in their freight and refrigeration service. Well-established 
claims for damage to shipments, due to negligence on the part of the 
transportation companies, are paid without controversy and with 
reasonable promptness. The exchange shippers, on their part, have 
put their houses in order. Improvements in handling practices have 
eliminated a great deal of decay that was formerly charged to faulty 
transportation. The practice of filing claims for damage on every 
provocation has been abandoned. The railroads now realize that 
claims filed by the exchange are presumably justified and are sup- 
ported by evidence as to the facts. Cooperation between the ship- 
pers and the carriers has developed in the solution of transportation 
problems to the great benefit of the industry. 
