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AMERICAN POMOROGICAR SOCIETY 
History of the Operations. 
Once the constitution was adopted the “way of the association was short 
and full of troubles,” Let us examine a few of the troubles: 
Trouble No. 1 came from the inablity of the directors to secure a mana- 
ger who was in full sympathy with or could see any outlook ahead for the 
organization. As the writer had been the moving spirit in drafting the con- 
stitution and had had two years travel and acquaintance over the state in 
horticultural extension work, he was finally prevailed upon to take charge 
temporarily. This he was to do on July 1, 1912. 
No. 2 came when the writer attempted to take charge. Less than a half 
dozen memberships had come in. There was no money to secure an office 
room on the Twin City markets. An office was tendered by the president 
of the organization. It was up town, removed from market activity. 
No. 3 arrived in the shape of berry shipments poorly packed, in bad 
condition, and on a glutted market. Poor returns only could be sent the 
shippers. The manager immediately prepared instruction sheets to pro- 
spective shippers of all fruits, but these reached the growers too late to be 
of service for the current season. 
No. 4 loomed up when apples began to ripen. Growers and shippers 
could not see why closer grading and more careful handling were necessary! 
When one irate grower was taken down on commission row to see his un- 
sold apples, now nearly two weeks on hand, he acknowledged they were 
small but argued that they were “awfully smooth!” Managers of local as- 
sociations took no stock in improved packing of packages and failed to co- 
operate. The majority of the members considered it only good business 
to sell all their best product independently and then ask the organization’s 
service for whatever could not be disposed of by themselves advantageously! 
This was generally true of the very men who had talked loudest for the 
formation of the organization. There was a general feeling that an organ- 
ization had no need of existence except in times of dire distress when no 
other avenue of escape was open. 
Not All Troubles. 
The writer had the pleasure of launching the organization into the field 
of potato selling. Here there was found to be an opportunity to do real 
service. In many cases it was deeply appreciated. 
During the fall of 1912 the potato growers in north central and western 
Minnesota faced bad market conditions. There was a very good crop in 
the central west generally. Prices were low. The local associations and 
farmers clubs in the Minnesota potato-growing territory were at the mercy 
of commission buyers who were instructed to buy at the lowest figure that 
the community would stand. This was often several cents lower than the 
already low market price. 
The Fruit Association advertised its services in this territory and in 
many cases caused the buyers to pay better prices. Several hundred car- 
loads of potatoes were sold by the organization during the fall and winter 
