La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1917-01-20
PROBLEM SOLVED
California Fruit Growers Lost Only
xlO2.73 Out Of 81 Il Million
Dollar Business In 1915.

One OF the greatest problems that
confronts the cantaloupe growers OF
the Arkansas Valley is marketing
the crop at a profit, and it seems
to be no nearer solution than when
the cantaloupe industry was In its
infancy. There has been very little
trouble at this end OF the line, so
far ss production is concerned, and
nov that inspection by pure food
experts OF the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture is to be pro-
vtded for under new law that it
IL hoped will be passed by the pres
ent legislature, there will be no
question as to the quality and uni
form excellence OF the crop. The
problem OF marketing SO that the
growers will receive the greatest re-
turns is still with Us, however. A
cooperative association similar to
that which has beam in successful
operation in California for nearly
q quarter OF 3 century. is the only
solution OF this vexed marketing
problem. Until . similar one is or
ganized in the Arkansas Valley, with
every melon growers association in
the valley included in its member
ship. the cantaloupe growers will
continue to be at the mercy Of east
ern commission men. Although re-
peated efforts have been made to
perfect an organization OF this kind
in the Arkansas Valley they have
not thus far met with the success
that they deserve. The story of the
success OF the cooperative associa-
fion In California ought to be read
with interest by the cantaloupe
growers OF the Arkansas Valley and
is herewith presented for their ed
ification:
In the latter part OF January,
1898, eleven orange growers of
Southern California. determined to
remedy the deplorsble conditions
threatening their industry. assem-
bled In Claremont. a little town In
the center OF the citrus producing
district. Their trouble was not lack
OF production. The year had been
good; the production and acreage
large. (The problem was marketing.
Commercial buyers had formed a
combine. dividing territory up among
themselves. and none invading terri
tory OF the other. Growers without
q market system found themselves
with large acreages. big crops. but
small market prices. As individual
shippers they had no way OF know
ing where to ship the fruit so as TO
gain advantage OF the best demand
and prices.
At that meeting was formed the
first producers cooperative market
ing association, the Ciarcmont Fruit
Growers' Association. While all de-
tails we're not all worked out at once
the Claremont growers gave impe-
tus to the idea Of producers forming
an association TO market, advertise
and create q demand and good prices
for their crops. Their organization
WAS formed on a non profit and non
capital plan. They shipped twenty
one cars OF oranges the first year. es-
A,blished the first brand TO be stand
.rdized by producers everywhere.
and sold through eastern agents and
At auction. They shipped one box to
Queen Victoria. ~ho acknowledged
the excellent quality Of the fruit
through the Associated Press.
After about twenty-four years OF
evolution the producers co-opera-
tive marketing scheme has grown In
favor and success throughout the
country. especially In the West and
Southwest. The United States DE-
partment Of Agriculture has the
names Of ten thousand or more such
organizations. ranging In size from
only . few members to the caiifor-
MIA Fruit Grower Exchange. com
prtsing seventeen distinct exchanges.
1s3 shipping associations. seventy
seven district sales offices and total
OF eight hundred members.
The California Fruit Growers' Ex-
change IL composed Of the largest
psr cent OF fruit growers In the
state. Il II really . great corpora
tiou without capital. the only money
invested by the members being that
IN office fixtures and for salaries
Of the manager and his assistants.
q. Harold Powell Of Los Angeles Ii
manager. He devoted his entire
time 70 ksspias In touch With market