usiness organizations. Among these are about two
hundred live stock shipping associations having a very simple form of
organization. A number of persons in a community, having considerable
stock to ship, come together, adopt a simple set of by-laws which
provide for the selection of a manager, his compensation--usually a
certain percentage on the gross receipts--and a small amount for losses
which may occur. No capital stock is required--only the actual living
stock. The manager ships the stock at certain times, and when the
returns come in deducts the amounts provided for expenses and then
returns to each shipper his proportionate amount. In this way the stock
is sold at the terminal yards the same day and with other stock from
many sections. It is a very simple, satisfactory way of marketing.

The more I study and think of our apple situation, the more I am of the
opinion that a very large part of our fruit could be marketed in a
similar way. Some of our La Crescent friends ship together in carlots
successfully. Why not others? This is the very best way to begin
co-operation in a successful way. As Mr. Collingwood says:
"Co-operation, like charity, should begin at home and be well nurtured."
In other words, begin to co-operate at home in a small way and let the
future large organizations take care of themselves.

To be specific, let the growers in a community meet and form a
fruit-shipping association with by-laws patterned after the successful
stock-shipping associations. Then the fruit should be well grown, picked
in time, graded thoroughly and honestly packed and marked. Haul at once
to car. The manager will take charge and ship as he thinks best. Each
package must have the customary identification marks, so the manager can
keep an accurate record of all transactions. If, by chance, trouble
comes up, the shippers can pool their interests, and send a
representative to find out the trouble. Thus they can do together what
each cannot do alone. Even this does not bring the consumers directly in
contact with the producers. It is, however, a step nearer.

The public auctions started in New York this season seem to have been
successful, and it may mean an innovation which will improve marketing
conditions in general. These auctions are held under the recently formed
Department of Foods and Markets. The Department has contracted with a
large auction company which advances the freight, conducts the sales,
guarantees the a