CHAPTER XVIII 
CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS 
238. History. — Co-operative associations among com- 
mercial vegetable growers have been developed mainly 
within the past 25 years, for with the rapid extension 
of the gardening industry co-operation has become a 
necessity. In many instances they were organized for 
the protection of the members against excessive trans- 
portation rates and unscrupulous commission merchants, 
but now the scope has broadened until every phase of 
marketing is controlled by most of the organizations, and 
many have taken up other lines of work important to 
producers. 
239. Objects. — The objects of the various associations 
vary considerably, but as a rule the specific purpose is 
co-operation in buying and selling, although the work is 
generally more comprehensive. The constitution of a 
large and highly successful organization contains the fol- 
lowing: “Section 1. Its object shall be the buying, sell- 
ing and handling of produce, the selling and consigning 
of produce as agent of the purchaser, the inspection of all 
produce so sold or consigned, and the owning or operat- 
ing of storage warehouses and packing houses for prod- 
uce, and generally to deal in all such materials, articles, 
or goods as in the opinion of the board of directors can be 
conveniently and advantageously dealt in by the corpora- 
tion.” 
240. Character of organizations. — Co-operative associa- 
tions have been formed for the benefit of all classes of 
producers. There are many organizations of greenhouse 
growers. General truckers in various sections, especially 
southward, are well organized. Growers of special crops 
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