oe BULLETIN 1416, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
by cooperatives in the past few years, a great deal still remains to 
be done before strictly graded and uniform barreled-apple packs 
become the rule rather than the exception. 
POOLING 
Organizations that handle barreled apples usually pool the proceeds 
of sales in some way. ‘This is indicated by reports from 38 of the 
42 associations showing that 31, or 81.57 per cent, were running 
sales pools of some sort. The most common type of pool used for 
barreled-apple sales is the variety seasonal plan, in which the sales of 
any particular variety are pooled for the entire season. In most of the 
organizations each variety is subdivided for pooling into the standard 
grades and sizes and in a few of the larger organizations the sales are 
still further classified for pooling, according to size. In some associa- 
tions pools are run for shorter periods of time, such as a month, a 
week, or even one day, but provision is usually made to separate 
varieties and grades. Thus growers not only are protected against 
losses sustained by sudden market fluctuations but are paid according 
to the quality of the apples they offer for sale. This stimulates 
growers to produce higher grade apples and prevents much dis- 
satisfaction which might otherwise occur. 
SELLING AND DISTRIBUTING 
Barreled-apple associations differ considerably in their methods of 
selling and distributing. In regard to the association personnel 
handling the selling, reports from 21 associations show that in 15 the 
manager handled the selling; in 4 sales managers were used; and 
in 2 an official of the association handled the sales. Additional 
reports from 11 organizations show that 9 of them hired cooperative 
sales agencies, and 2 employed noncooperative or private sales 
agencies. The success of the various methods mentioned has de- 
pended largely upon the efficiency of the persons in charge, though in 
general the larger organizations have been able to hire more capable - 
salesmen and consequently have obtained more efficient selling. 
The methods of sale used by barreled-apple associations differ little 
from those used in handling other products, nor do the associations 
use one method exclusively. Reports from 4¢ associations show that, 
in 1922-23, 29 sold some cars cash track; 22 showed many f. o. b. 
sales; 17 sold some delivered; and 22 consigned part of their shipments. 
Generally, apple associations sell as much as possible on an f. o. b. 
basis, but condition of the product, market conditions, and fixed 
customs of trade do not always permit the entire volume to be 
sold in this way. 
In the markets 12 associations sold through brokers, and the 
others sold to car-lot receivers or through commission houses or 
auctions. Through these distributing agencies each of 29 associa- 
tions reached an average of 55 markets. 
To stimulate the sale of their apples, several organizations advertise 
in magazines and otherwise. Reports from 34 associations show that 
17, or 50 per cent, used advertising space in 1922-23. Ten of the 
17 spent a total of $1,440, or $144 per association. It is known, 
however, that some of the larger organizations not reporting spent 
rather large sums in advertising and promoting their brands of 
barreled apples. : 
