Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-06-05

Dexter, N. NJ, June 4.-One OF
the most successful cooperative
enterprises that has been develop
ed in the southwest during the
last few years Is the Hagerman
Alfalfa Growers association which
does a general business of market
ing the farm products OF the Dex-
ter, Hagerman and Lake Arthur
districts.
The territory adjacent to these
three valley towns is one of the
most fertile and productive irri-
gated sections of the entire south
west and is especially noted for its
large volume and fine quality of
alfalfa hay, seed and apples.
For many years these products
were handled by local buyers and
commission men who took advant-
age of peculiar marketing condi-
lions to exploit the producers in
such manner as to greatly reduce
If not entirely destroy any profit
which might otherwise accrue to
them through their farming opera
lions. To eliminate this condition
the first formation of an alfalfa
growers association began at the
town of Hagerman which at that
time was the biggest agricultural
district in the country, nearly four
teen years ago.
The first organization formed
naturally met with all the de-
spondencies and difficulties which
are historically attached to such un-
dertakings and it's struggle for eX-
istence was for years an uphill
proposition. Throughout this time
by dint Of hard work and much
persuasion on the part of more far
sighted producers the association
managed to keep alive and even
tually it began to grow.
Association Broadens.
At length a few farmers and
growers of other communities
sought admission and the associa-
ton broadened. Again came a
lull in its activities which during
the bitter season of business de-
preston last year threatened to
destroy ii, as so many similar or
CARNATIONS were destroyed. With
the recurring awakening of bust
ness last winter and the great wave
of sentiment of association and CO.
operative endeavor which swept
over the agricultural regions at
that time and is continuing and
growing today the association took
renewed life and promises now to
eventually control the market of
their products in so far as that
market is affected by the products
grown by them.
In later years the Dexter couhtry
has grown to the greatest single
hay growing section Of the valley
and with the shipping station OF
Greenfield, which is tributary to
it. ships almost three times as
much alfalfa each year as any
other district in the valley. This
section became interested in the
scheme Of the association and TOOK
steps looking to such organization:
After due consideration the idea of
organizing a separate association
was abandoned and local growers
combined with those at Hagerman
and Lake Arthur and formed one
big organization, retaining the
business name and connections OF
the old organization for obvious
reasons.
New Directors Chosen.
A complete Reorganization
scheme was carried out last March
when new directors were chosen
and under the management OIL
this board. which is now COM
posed OF NJ. Y. Monical, I. w.
Marshall, G. w. Howe, c. w.
Curry and C. N. Moore. almost
eighty per cent of the total
acreage in the territory was Sc
cured for the association, a new
sales organization with f. L. Mehl-
hop of Dexter at its head was
organized while the office work
was left under the able manage
meut of Willis Pardee.
With all branches of the organ
ization functioning smoothly the
association has begun the new
season which so far promises to
be one of great profit if the
scheme of orderly marketing can
be carried through properly.
This proposition of so holding
and shipping their products in a
steady stream throughout the
year rather than sudden glut of
markets during the harvest sea-
son and the consequent ruinous
prices is a problem which is prov
ing the hardest of solution for
the Organization and its board of
directors.
Last year money was scor,o