FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATIONS 
W. PADDOCK 
The Western Slope District —The geographical location of 
Colorado, particularly of the fruit district on the Western Slope, 
is such that it is necessary for the majority of fruit growers to sell 
their products through associations. This is especially true since 
the product of her orchards has become so great that the bulk of 
the fruit must be sold outside of the State. Here we must compete 
for the markets, usually at a disadvantage because of high, and 
many times unjust, transportation rates. Car load lots then must 
be the unit of shipment, but what is more important, the shipper 
must know the condition of the markets each day in order to place 
his produce to the best advantage. It must be apparent that the 
marketing of fruit requires a high type of business ability, and the 
average grower has small chance in the markets under these con¬ 
ditions. This was particularly true a few years ago before the as¬ 
sociations had become important factors in marketing. Since their 
advent prices have been much more stable, and the entire section has 
been benefited thereby. Formerly the grower had no means of 
becoming acquainted with the condition of the outside market, so 
he was more or less at the mercy of the buyer. 
There is a wide difference between the prices received by the 
producers of farm products and those which the consumers are com¬ 
pelled to pay. Could the two classes deal directly with each other, 
the law of supply and demand would control prices and each class 
would be greatly benefited. However, we can scarcely hope to reach 
this consummation, but much may be done to better present condi¬ 
tions if the farmers can only grasp their opportunities. 
Fruit growers’ associations are not new institutions in Colo¬ 
rado. Perhaps in no state east of the Pacific coast have they been 
more successful or longer in operation. But there are still many 
localities in the State which are either not organized, or where the 
existing associations have not been so successful as is desirable. 
Then there are localities where special crops, other than fruit, are 
grown where the growers would be greatly benefited by marketing 
their produce through associations. An attempt is made in the fol¬ 
lowing pages to describe the workings of the fruit associations with 
the idea of being helpful to those who may be interested in such 
organizations. 
The growing of fruit itself is an intricate business and is 
usually all that one man should attempt. If he makes a success of 
orcharding, the time of the average man will be fully occupied. 
