The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-07-17
FRUIT MARKETING PLAN

A plan for the more efficient mar
keting Of fruit crops in the north
west has been worked out by the Of
fee of markets and rural organization
which, It is believed, may offer sug-
gestions for the solution Of somewhat
similar problems with other perish
able crops in other sections of the
country This marketing plan is
based upon a uniform contract, which
must be made a part Of selling con-
tracts between the growers and their
resident agents. The agents in turn
are required to cooperate in carrying
on certain specific activities which are
considered as essential to the pros
perity OF the fruit industry in the
four states Of Oregon, Washington,
Idaho, and Montana. Despite the fact
that the Pacific northwest has been
regarded as the home OF cooperation
in the apple business, the need for
improved marketing facilities has be
come apparent in recent years. In
other sections OF the country where
the principles Of cooperation have
not been as extensively developed
this need Is even more acutely felt.
The actual results Of the plan will
therefore be watched with much in
oh iuh
the problem of the efficient distribu-
/ tion OF perishable crops throughout
the country.
In the past, II Is stated, at least IS
or 80 per cent of the apple growers in
the four states named have signed
contracts with resident selling agen-
cies. The new plan requires that
these contracts will contain certain
uniform provisions which make 1t
possible for the agents to cooperate
| legally and effectively in carrying on
the activities which the growers have
! demanded from them for some time.
To enable them to do so fruit grow
ers' agency has been formed. To be-
come n member OF this organization
a selling agency must handle an av-
| erage of not less than 100 cars of
fruit or produce annually. This limit
was fixed because it was believed tnat
an agency handling less than this can
not conduct an efficient selling ser
vice This fruit growers agency is
to be managed by a board of trus-
tees. to consist Of not less than II
active members, five OF whom are to
be fruit growers, five selling agents,
and the eleventh member selected at
large. Active members pay an annual
membership fee Of 500 and passive
members fee of $5. II Is desired,
however, that the growers who oc'
come members should represent whole
communities and not individual inter.
ests, and that their membership dues
should be paid by their respective
communities. q, In this way It is be,
lieved that adequate representation
in the agency will be secured to the
growers.
The cooperation among the selling
agents, which is the primary purpose
of the plan. is designed to improve
conditions by securing accurate in
formation. by obtaining much needed
Improvement in transportation and
storage facilities, by developing mar
kets, by expanding the foreign outlet,
by eliminating consignments, by in
sisting upon better methods of pre-
pairing fruit for market and better
business methods on the part of the
growers, and by fostering in other
ways a better spirit or cooperation
among growers and selling agents.
The financing OF the organization is
to be based upon the tonnage han
died by each Of the selling agents,
although there will be a small revenue
from the membership dues.
Such a plan is not recommended for
all sections Of the country In some
regions. where cooperative organila-
tion OF farmers has been wen devel-
oped already. Il appears to be the bet
ter part Of wisdom to leave condi-
tions undisturbcd The plan, how
ever. offers possibilities Of elimina-
ting much unnecessary waste and its
actual operation should throw light
on a number Of problems.