The Mena weekly star., 1922-01-19
Gravette, Ark, Jan. 12, 1922.


 Mir. W. c. B. Allen, Mena, Ark.
 My Dear Sir:--Answering yours of 18th inst, regarding local grape as- sociation. If it is Editor St. Johns intention to publish something to stimulate the grape growing industry, and suggestions for possible scope of cooperation, think I had better mae a real story, giving my ideas for present and future action. l have been giving the matter some thought, and what have in mind may at first appear visionary or idealistie, but the way to accomplish things worth while is aim high and then strive to attain. But what l have in mind has been ac- complished, carried to actual fruition in other parts of the country, and if we expect to really accomplish any thing for ourselves and our territory we must have broad vision
 In my previous letter l asked what your requirements fer roots or cut tings might possibly be, and then 1 would try and give you definite infor- nation as to prices. Last year we paid $50 per M for No. 1 roots and $2.20 for cuttings This year roots can be had for less in quantities, for No. 1, one-year-old. 1 am not in po- sition to supply but limited number myself, but have sought prices from several sources. which expect to have shortly. Cuttings are higher this year, but l have two inquiries out and should have quotations within week or ten days. As soon as l get this in- formation will let you hear from me, but the information as to what you require might influence the price with one concern. There is some bidding going on for our association business, and for that reason think we will be in position to help you start grape culture in your section.
 But answering your questions as to organization and cooperation of grape culture in the 0zarks, would open wide the door. My suggestion that you organize local association was based first upon the idea that thus you could get advantages in the initial steps not to be had otherwise. Thru a local association you will be able to bring the matter of grape cul- ture right to your home people; to obtain price advantages in buying nots and cuttings; and secure the acreage at an earlier date to give marketing advantages and make pos sible the securing of fruit jiuce man. ufacturing plant for your territory in the Southern Ozark regions.
 But this is ofiiy part of it. If Ar kansas fruit growers are to reap the full measure of possible benefit and profit they must not only get quantity production, but they must organize for cooperative advertising and mar keting. The individual grower, or the small association, cannot do this. It must be done thru large associa- tion comprising as nearly 100 per cent of the growers in our territory as it Is possible to get The local asso- ciatlon must carry on an educational campaign, and when this education work is done and the vineyards eon- mence to yield, then thru represer.e- tiNes of the various locals a plsn for general cooperative marketing company can be worked out.
 Our local association, the Ozark Vineyard Association, undertakes to handle the business of not only the grape growers, but also of the grow CTS of all the berry fruits and truck farmers.
 My prediction is that in the near fu- tqre the necessities of the situation will compel a general organization which will handle our entire fruit crop, Including the apple. This as- soeiation will be strictly growers organiz2 ton. When this is accom- plished they will have a practically all the year business, the overhead VIII be distributed over a large vol ume Of business. This will mean that the Arkansas fruit growers can do as dld the ralsin grape growers of Cali fornia when they had 90 per cent of their people joined together in a CO., erative agreement They were able
 make the biggest and ablest broker n their product their own hired man. They paid him big salary but he was worth t. The raisin growers were in-sore straits prior to this action, but now they are prospering and Sun Maids seediess raisins greet you from almost every printed page and from every confectioDer's counter at [ cents the package. The business man and his stenographer are both made to think that they need more ssiron in thelr systems" and they econonasze CT their luncheon cost; if the i've eenl paekzge k not sufficient they can ge1 ie kalnces ip carton at the Rrocer'l Tor zb CT go cents. The Oregon prun. frowerz have also put on eamnaies thru thelr organization which hal sfimuIz.ed prune ecnsunrtser. Thi once szns.'sed and ridiculed boardIn, house pFane iz nos admitted into fh'