The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-08
COUNTY FARMERS.
 PROVING VALUE OF COOPERATION
Lowery Outlines Aduan- ces Made In Diversi-
 fled Efforts
NATIONS GARDEN
 SUMMARIZES MOVE
Association Now Proud Owners Of Permanent
 New Home

l county's most important business en- terprises is described by J. c. Lowery, county farm demonstration agent, in an articles in the Nations Garden, pub lished in the interest of truck growers and farmers, and having national circulation.
 The article, entitled Jefferson Coup- ty Truckers Prove Value of Co-opera- tion,' describes the organization of the Jefferson County Truck Growers asso- citation and traces its development up to the present time, when it owns it's own warehouse at Twenty eighth street and Sixth avenue, north. According to Mir. Lowery the business done last March was twice as large as that of March last year.
 Mir. Lowery's article, in part, fol- lows:
 I Business Develops Rapidly 1 So successful was the first years business that by the close of 1921 pur- chase of fertilizer, seeds, fruit trees and other supplies was undertaken. From the start baskets were handled CO., operatively. Large quantities of the va- rious supplies were bought co-opera- lively at very great savings. A differ ence of practically $20 per ton was realized on acid phosphate, according to minutes of meetings near the close of 1921. With this further extension of business it soon became evident that someone must be employed full time as manager rather than depend on someone who could be on the lot few hours each morning to look after collecting the fees and enforcing the regulations. So on February IS, 1922, the board of directors voted to employ full time business manager. J. K. Cook, an ex- pert bookkeeper, who had been in the employ of one of the big corporations | in this district, was elected to serve as manager. Mir. Cook served as mana ger until his sudden death, January Fl, 1 of this year. Under his direction the financial condition of the association was greatly improved. The entire busi- ness of the association was put on the same footing as that of a private cor poration. A complete set of books was installed The business manager was re- quired to furnish bond sufficient to cover all funds which might ever be Tn his hands Financial reports were re- ouired each month. Twice each year the books were audited by an expert ac- countant. By exercising this sort Of judgment in the operation of the busl- 4 ness the association has eliminated the confusion which existed at first in the matter of keeping records and has saved 1 itself many of the dark days so com mon to cooperative organizations which fail to follow the practice of private business in handling their affairs.
 What Has Been Accomplished | Briefly, the sum total of the accom- l plishments can be stated in few words: First, an orderly permanent market has been established in place of a market mob that previously ex- isted. Farmers pay for parking spaces where they merchandise their products | in q similar way to any dealer. The buyers know where to look for each farmer just as he would look for certain department store downtown should be desire to purchase a suit Of clothes. Thus, farmer is given op- portunity to build up reputation for grade and quality on a permanent loca l tion; second, prior to the present or ganization much misunderstanding ex- isted between the farmers and the city authorities. Now the city confers with | the business manager when any matter of regulation or policy is up. The old time troubles have been eliminated. The city no longer feels that it has to nur- ture the truckers as sort of charity proposition. The city recognizes in the present organization a sturdy business body on the same basis of that of any regular business organization. Never be- fore has such complete harmony and cooperation between the farmers and the city existed as at the present time; third, the organization is giving the farmers confidence in themselves and they have learned that by little CO., operative effort great things can be done. They feel that pleasure which comes with owning a home. Further more they own property that before the end of the terms of the purchase will bring a handsome profit. As soon as finances permit the entire market lot will be covered which will be unique feature for this district. In ad- dition much money is being saved on purchases of different kinds. With continuation of the present co-opera- tive spirit and a completion of the eight or ten years program now fairly well outlined the Jefferson County Truck Growers association has very bright prospects for the future.