"SHOULD FARMERS COMBINE ? "
SIR,—As a director of a young and vigorous horticultural co-operative in Hampshire, I was delighted with your article Should Farmers Combine ? How wise Mr. Walston was to use the word "combine." The word " co-operative " is still a very red rag to most small-holders in this country. In our prospectus that word does not appear at all. Like Mr. Walston, we ask horticultural growers to combine. Apparently they like it. Two years ago we had under a hundred members ; today we have three hundred and fifty-five. Last year our turnover of fresh fruit and vegetables was £87,000. There was a contrast in the article, which should be brought out more clearly. On the one hand the writer was recommending agricultural co-operation because of controlled prices. Later he stated, "But the value of co-operation for marketing meat and milk is far less than for poultry, eggs, cheese, fruit and vegetables." Of these four commodities, most money is spent on fresh fruit and vegetables, and (apart from potatoes) these commodities have never been subsidised. Again (apart from potatoes) war-time controls have been dropped. The horticulturist has none of the security of the farmer, and it is this reason that soon after the war a number of horticultural growers cu. -d to get what measure of security they could by forming their
grading, packing and marketing company. We have come up ag-
all the troubles mentioned by Mr. Walston, and many more be 3 While we have had the warm support of all genuine wholesalers, t.L are many second-rate firms who would like to see us out of business ; firms who play small men one against the other, and give no service whatsoever. Some of our members sell locally while prices are good and expect us to handle all their produce when there is a glut. In fact, they still believe in magic!
Without the consistent support of members no co-operative can survive. Competition is far too keen. But with loyalty (and we have a high percentage of really first-class growers, who believe in the job) there is no limit to what can be done. Our aim is to give the consumer first- class produce, reliably packed. If we do not, the Government will not be able to resist the demand for increased imports. If we do the job properly, we know we can sell produce at reasonable prices. There is far too much rubbish in the shops, and we sympathise with the consumer who refuses to buy it. The National Farmers' Union, to which we are affiliated, has given us much valuable assistance. A delegation is at present investigating methods of marketing and distribution in America, and we look forward to learning many new things when it returns.—
Vice-President, Hampshire Growers Limited. " Culverlands," Shedfield, Southampton.
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