The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-11-25
FRUIT
GROWERS
UNITED
To Promote the Interests of
Their Industry.
And Bring AbOUt Better Con-
ditiOnS in the Local Mar
ket.

II. B. Thielsen opened the meeting
and stated the purpose to be the organ.
ization OF the fruit growers to get better
results in the way OF prices. After
electing him to preside and w. l..
Bozorth secretary, he called on Indus.
trial Agent Judson of the S. p. Co., who
made an address on the necessity Of
an organization.
r. r. Shepard said there was not
enough acreage of any kind Of fruit, ex-
cept prunes, unless II was straw berries
More acreage OF Strawberries. was needed
to support q Shippers Union. Lack Of
energy aud knowledge we're needed TO
be overcome. Were we TO compete or
to cooperate.
T.. l.. Smith was next introduced His
hobby WAS horticulture. This community
,uld double its wealth by putting out
all the acreage possible Of orchard and
fruit plantations. Without an organ
ization the individual was throwing his
fruit into a gluttcd market half the time.
By means Of the union they we're able
to avoid all fl oding of markets. A
reputation for quality and honest pack
ing wac needed and II Salem ever caught
up with Hood River it would be by
building up a high character for the
quality OF its out put.
Mr.. Smith read the rules and bylaws
Of their union. His speech was full of
life and enthusism and was backed by
the facts and results. Drouth had
destroyed many strawberry plantations
through out the east and the prospect
for strawberry prices next year was very
good,
Mr.. Miller one Of the most successiul
strawberry growers spoke OF the way
the crop is made. lie had got 80 crates
per acre more from the land he iertilized
at IS per acre The fruit was higher
colorcd and more even in size,
The fields were cultivated with Il har-
row tooth drag, about two inches deep.
lie had taken off l75 crates per acre for
eight acres, The union had netted him
S2,O3 per CRAZE. When the union was
formed at Hood River they had only so
acres. Next year there would be about
1000 acres OF berries. IL was estimated
that there were 100 TO 200 acres of straw
berries at Salem and vicinity Mr.. judi
son said il we adopted brand for straw
berries, and kept up the quality OF the
pack .here would bo no trouble to dis
pose Of all the Strawberries that could be
grown here. The expense OF the union
at Hood River in handling the straw
berry crop at both ends of the line was
about nine cents crate. This covered
putting on cars, and commission ex-
penses at distributing point.
At Milton fruit growers union was
formed with 92 members, and the first
year 70 per en-, more than ever before
was realized.
MIR. Smith said the soil at Salem would
produce more strawberries 10 the acre
than at Hood River.
r. b. Miller Of the S. P. Co spoke of
the value of unions in promoting traffic.
lie said all Rogue River valley points
were getting $l.40 to SIl,5O box for
apples.
A paper was drawn up for signatures
agreeing to become members of a union
on the plan OF the Hood River union.
Iwenty-lhree growers signed the roll,
representing about fifty acres of straw
berries and several hundred acres of
other fruits.
On motion Chairman Thielsen, ]. X.
Shepard, l.. I. REYNOLDS, A. MeGill and
+. hoier were made committee on in.
corporation aud to open stock books.
VIM. Ii. Egap OF Brooks spoke of the
big interest at stake IN this union, and
he was glad TO see so much interest tax
en- by the growers present from other
places in the surrounding country.
The meeting adjourned at 80 TO meet
next Saturday at same place when the
organization will be completed. All
fruit growers who have not attended the
meetings so far will do we'll 10 attend aud
take a hand