Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-06-15
ROGUE RIVER VALLEY
FRUlTGR0WERS UNION
Has Become to Success So Its
Officers State-Bis Profit In
Fruit Raising.

ger and Secretary j. A. Perry of the
Rogue River Fruitgrowers Union Of
Medford, were in Grants Pass Satur-
day attending the Development
League. While here they also visited
the box factory to get prices on boxes,
their union buying boxes by the car
load and delivering to the members at
cost. The union also supplies wrap
ping paper and spraying material to
its members at cost and purchasing it
in large quantities is able too make a
big saving in the cost of these sup.
plies.
President Bennett stated to repre-
sentative of the Courier that their
union had steadily gained in member
ship since it was organized three
years ago and this Spring several
large orohardists have joined and it
has become SO strong that it now does
the great bulk Of the shipments from
Medford. 1t is the hope of President
Bennett that strong union will be
organized in Grants Pass for jose
phine county and that then the three
unions at Ashland, Medford and
Grants Pass cooperate as one great
organization in handling the fruit
crop of Rogue River Valley, and in
stead of shipping by the car load as ia
now done that shipments can be made
In trsinload lots. The quantity of
boxes, paper and spraying material
required for the entire Valley would
be so large that if purchased in one
lot big discount ON the price could
be had.
Manager Perry had most encourag.
ing statement to make for their
union. The high standard of the pack
put up by the Rogue River Fruit.
growers Union has given it high
standing in the markets of the world
and now its fruit is bid for by buyers
from New York, Boston, London,
Paris and the other great fruit mar
kets. Manager Perry stated that his
union had been able to secure nearly
one-half higher than samll growers
could realize for their fruit and that
they had never lost a shipment as they
deal only with known responsible
buyers. Already bids are being re-
ceived by the Rogue River Union and
Manager Perry thinks that very good
prices will be realized this year.
Fruit prospects were never better
and Manager Perry thinks he shall
handle one. half more fruit for the
union this year than in any previous
year.
In proof of the profit in an orchard
Manager Perry stated that four years
ago he bought "a acres of land near
Medford at $65 an acre making the
purchase price $3.50 Two weeks ago
he had a cash offer of 1925 an acre
for the land, being S12, 100 for the
orchard. The crops realized from the
land all but paid for cultivating the
trees and the planting aud caring for
the trees and the interest and taxes on
the investment for the four years has
not exceeded $4,000 leaving at least
$4,000 clear profit on the venture. The
trees have few apples this year and
within three years the orchard will be
producing marketable crop of fruit
and then il will readily sell for $500
an acre. A snug sum of s27, 900 on
an original investment of $500. 1t is
little wonder that the jackson county
fruitgrowers are making money and it
is their cash that gives the chief capi.
tai to the three prosperous banks in
Medford and makes that town one of
the most thriving in Southern Oregon.
Mr.. Perry is greatly interested in
the proposed fruit growers union for
Josephine county and he promised, II
possible, to attend the meeting that
will be held at the Courier Office on
Saturday, June 23 and assist in the
organization. In order to assist the
members Of the new union to purchase
their supplies at wholesale rates pend
ing the perfection Of their organiza.
tion he would give them equal rates
with the members of his own union.
Manager Perry is thoroughly posted
on the details of the work OF fruit
growers union and his suggestions
would be Of material assistance to the
Josephine county orchardists in the
organization Of their union.