File:Better fruit (20341827686).jpg

Title: Better fruit
Identifier: betterfruit09wash (find matches)
Year: [1] (s)
Authors: Washington State Apple Commission
Subjects: Fruit-culture
Publisher: Hood River, Ore. , Better Fruit Pub. Co
Contributing Library: New York Botanical Garden, LuEsther T. Mertz Library
Digitizing Sponsor: The LuEsther T Mertz Library, the New York Botanical Garden

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1914 BETTER FRUIT Page IS
Text Appearing After Image:
C. E. Virden, (icncial Maiiat^er ol" llu' Califfunia Fruit Distributors of Saciauu'iilti Which handled rifiht thi>usand cars of fruit in 1913 California Fruit Distributors Mr. Charles E. Virden, before Fruit Growers' Convt-ntiou, Davis, California TWENTY years ago the State of Cali- fornia sent out 1,293 cars of (lecidu- ous fruit, consisting of Ui2 cars apri- cots, 180 cars cherries, 1,010 , ,i:s grapes, 1,289 cars peaches, -Itiu : plums, 1,187 cars pears. Last .vlc there were shipjjed from this state 13,313 cars of deciduous fruit, consist- ing of 158 cars apricots, 231 cars cher- ries, 6,3fi3 cars grapes, 2,359 cars peaches, 1,706 cars plums, 2,496 cars pears. It is estimated that the total movement out of the slate this year will be even greater than in 1913. Twenty years ago the tonnage sent out was dislribuled in less than 100 markets of the country and to a very great extent tlie cars were distributed on a consignment basis. I'lior lo 1902, even with a comparatively small ton- nage, the results obtaineil in llie ship- ment of (Icciihidus fr-uit ;)rov(Ml very unsatisfactory to the growers and they realized but very little for their fruit, and it was found necessary to form some soi't of a distributing organiza- tion, and in 1902 the California Fruit Distributors was incorporated with the sole object of acting as a central mar- keting agency for the growers, packers and shippers. The capital of the cor- poration is nominal. No stock divi- dends are paid or profds undertaken. The organization maintains its general headquarlers at Sacramento, and at this time consists of twelve shipping com- panies who operate in the slate. A number of these companies are com- posed solely of growers. The board of directors consists of one member from each comi)any and at this time eight of the number are actively engaged in the growing of fruit. The board of man- agers, constisling of six members, are selected by the board of directors. The board of directors hold monthly meet- ings. The board of managers meet weekly during the operating season. The business of the organization is in the hands of a general manager, sub- ject to the direction of the board of managers and board of directors. Each and every member of the board of directors has an equal voice and an equal vote, no matter what their ton- nage may be. The operation of the California Fruit Distributors is a direct benefit to the grower and in no way is it a tax upon the grow-er, as the revenue necessary to maintain the organization is derived from the shipper, who makes the usual charge of seven per cent for the handling of the grower's business, which commission charge was not changed with the advent of the organi- zation, and out of this certain percent- age the California Fruit Distributors must be paid by the shipper. Such shipper pays the organization only Ihe actual cost of operation in propoition to Ihe tonnage that the organization handles for him. The organization has been steadily engaged in creating f.o.b. markets, and today the fruit of Cali- fornia is shipped into approximately 250 markets of the country, and this (lislril)uli(m is constantly being widened. The organization maintains selling agents in all of these markets, maintains general traveling salesmen who are assisting dealers to establish and create a demand for Califor- nia fTuit. Since 1902 much has been done by this organization in bringing al)out much better transportation and facili- ties for Ihe handling of deciduous fresh fruit shipments lo Ihe dislani markets. We have succeeded in securing a moie regular and dependable service. Prior lo 1902 the service to Chicago was ap- proximately ten to lifteen days. Today we are securing regular service that enables us to sell fruit in Ihe ("hicago maikel on the morning of Ihe sevinlh day. and in New York market on Ihe leTilh day. We have beltei' icing facili- ties. We have a heller tracing system, so well ijcrfccted that we are in direct touch with Ihe movemenl of each and

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