The Harrison times., 1911-02-04
SELLING OF FARM PRODUCTS
Cooperative Farmers Clubs Organized
in Northern Minnesota-Reap
Many Benefits Therefrom.

The writer was requested to meet at
Duluth with the officers of several Co
| operative Farmers clubs in northern
! Minnesota, who now ship their pro
duce to the city named, where it is
| handled by a representative on the
| commission row who is in the employ
Of the several cooperative clubs. We
were invited to attend the meeting to
aid In selecting varieties best adapted
for the markets and their location,
says a writer In the Northwestern Ag-
riculturist. We feel like compliment
ing the members of the various clubs
in their method of selling, also in Sc
lecting varieties suitable for the trade
and In making arrangements early in
the year for purchasing seed stocks
which, on account Of crop failures at
home and abroad, are quite sure to be
scarce and dear in price later, when
the planting season arrives.
These cooperative clubs have dem
onstrated to their satisfaction that it
is a great mistake to ship mixed lots
of potatoes. cabbage, onions, or any
other kind of vegetables to any mar
ket, and expect them to sell for the
highest price. In fact, they are so
impressed with the value of uniform
ity in their shipments, that all mem
bers will use seed stocks of the va
rieties selected by the officers of the
clubs and will buy them from one
dependable seed firm, which will re-
suit in still greater uniformity. They
propose to ship in car loads and thus
save on both freight and commits
sion.
They also propose to confpe these
crops to a limited number of va
rieties. This agreement on their part
Is also wise and will result in large
ly increased profits. Growers who
specialize with potatoes, cabbage,
onions, celery, etc, usually make
greater success in securing big yields
and large financial returns with less
labor and worry than the truckster
who is not content with anything
short Of a general assortment, This
has been demonstrated again and
again by growers who must ship their
produce to distant city markets.
The manager who sells their pro-
duce has been greatly handicapped
by the lack of uniformity in packing
and packages, on the part Of his
patrons. He has instructed the va
rious clubs as to the approved meth
DDS Of packing, as we'll as preparing
produce for market, With these in
structions he states that no ship
ments will be accepted if they are not
prepared and packed as directed. This
will eliminate from the list Of ship
pers all who will not conform to the
approved rules Of the association
The manager is also much interest
ed In having all shippers use pack
age or container that is approved by
the trade and the officers of the as
ISOLATION. They are now selecting
packages which will be used by all
will insure uniformity in these as
well as in their produce. They have
also decided to deposit with the man.
ager a revolving fund, so that each
shipper may have prompt settlements
for his produce. Merchants and con-
sumers in the cities have established
the bad habit or custom Of paying for
their purchases at the end Of each
month, which necessitates the revolv-
ing fund by which shippers are paid
on receipts Of their produce.
Cooperation on the part Of pro-
ducers in selling is necessity as a
matter of protection, AT the recent
meeting a member Of a cooperative
club referred to an instance in which
a product sold to a large commission
firm at 40 cents a bushel After pass
ing to the retail trade it cost the con-
sumer 80 cents a peck, or five times
the price paid the producer The high
cost of living in the cities Is charged
to the producer, but the example men,
toned verifes the statement we have
made on several occasions, that 1t
should be charged to a class Of dealers
who must receive large profits to main
tain expensive buildings, pay high
rents, and support eXtrayagant fami-
lies. in ease and luxury.