The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-11-21

| Every week during their shipping
season the association sends a dele
gate to one or more markets where
their output Is being sold. They in.
spect association cars. They mingle
with the statesmen handling their pro-
ducts, the jobbers handling Marietta
vegetables and the retailers.
These delegates learn what the buy
ers and consumers think of the ASSOC
citation produce. They hear frank
criticisms of quality and grade and
pack. They become acquainted with
the methods used in selling. The del
egations report back to the associa-
ton and frequently improvements in
character of production or methods Of
grading, packing or loading result
from these visits.
Here is one example of how the
association has changed its plans to
meet the needs of consumers.
Earliana tomatoes had been grown
by the association members. They
were one of the earliest varieties and
offered an opportunity to get first
shipments on the markets. But the
association became convinced through
its study Of its products on the mar.
kets that the Earliana was of lower
quality, as compared with other toma-
toes in the early class, so its planting
was discontinued.
While each member Of the associa-
ton packs in his own shed the pack
is subject to inspection both at load
ing and unloading points and at
either place 1t may be placed in a
special pool and sold on its merits.
Once again the consumer was con-
sidered first in this packing arrange
ment, Central packing houses were
discussed but the association feared
that central packing system might
delay the arrival of the produce on
the market and decided to continue
Individual packing 80 that the vege-
tables could be moved more quickly
rom the field to the consumer.
Tomatoes picked from the vine Mon
lay are often in the hands of consum-
,rs Tuesday The effect of this
speedy movement is often noticed In
'etail establishments where women
lsk for the tomatoes with the Pioneer |
abel on the basket end, because of
heir freshness.
The good reputation earned by the
pack became a valuable |
business asset. In 1915 Crutchfield g.
Voolfolk designed the Pioneer trade
mark and label which they urged the
association to adopt to distinguish |
heir product readily from that Of 9th
II shippers. The trademark was reg
stored and turned over to the asso-
iation as association property.
One of the strongest testimonials
o the value of the association meth
IDS particularly as to its plan of grad
ng and packing and its use Of labels
8 that practically all growers outside
he association in the Marietta dis
riot now try to pack their produce
ccording to the bylaws Of the asso-
iation. They use the same kind Of
containers. Some go 30 far as to
dopt a label of the same shape, size
md colors as the association label.
I'VE wouldn't consider shipping
roduce today without a label unless
/ was produce Of inferior quality"
avs M. G. Nixon, secretary Of the as
ociation. Association labels and
God packing are essentials in every
rganization of our kind. They are
iiamese twins. Neither can live with
ut the other"
Every year as the association In
reased the volume Of its output the
service increased the
lumber of outlets used. In 1919 the
,rutchfleld & voolfolk organization,
With other distributing interests and
organized the American Fruit
srowers Incorporated and founded q
latioual sales service.