The daily sentinel., 1908-01-18

tContinueQ from page Ii
greater portion of the fruit raised
In Mesa county every year since fruit
raising to any extent whatever began
in this locality.
Something like twelve years ago
the association was organized on a
very small basis. but for two years it
made but little showing. In the year
1897 the association was reorgan-
ised. At that time 1t had Just sixty
members.
John +. Moore was chosen mana
ger and Frank R. Davis was chosen
as assistant manager. and in a lit
Ne building near where the great
plant of today stands these two gen.
tlemen started to work, and today
they hold the same positions in con-
nection with the association that they
held eleven years ago; but how won
derful has been the growth of the
organization during these eleven
years! Eleven years ago, or in the
arst year of the reorganized associa-
tion there were shipped out of the
valley 167 cars of fruit by this asso-
eiation-the only institution of its
kind In western Colorado. and for
these 167 cars the growers were paid
$54.0S5. The crop that year was
considered phenomenal.
In 1906. ten years later, the asso-
citation shipped out of the valley L.
1852 cars OF fruit, and a total of
3555.S13 was paid the growers. or
over half a million dollars more than
was paid out for fruit in 1897. And
when all the returns are In for 1907.
II will be seen that the growers will
have been paid at least $750.00O
more money in 1907 tnan they were
paid in 1897. Nearly 1000 more
cars of fruit were shipped out of
this little valley in 1906 than were
shipped out In 1897. just ten short
years before. What mighty growth
In eleven years time!
The Grand Junction Fruit Grow
ers' Association is made up today of
over 900 fruit growers of Mesa coun-
ty. 1t was organized for the pur-
pose of shipping fruit. bettering the
product. and. by exempliflcation OF
the old saying, '1n union there is
strength" securing by concerted ac-
tion. the best possible prices. 1t al
80 numbered among Its objects the
carrying on of a general jobbing bust.
ness. bringing in tropical fruits and
various articles of staple provisions
and products to be soid to merchants
and handling all kinds OF supplies
pertaining to fruit raising for the
growers. In these prime objects the
association has been immensely sue
eessful.
The expenses OF the operation OF
the association are met and have al
ways been met by a per cent com
mission paid to the association on tho
net amount received by each grower
for his fruit shipped through the as
ISOLATION. This Is remarkably rea-
Souaoies eSpeCihiiy WHEN IL ID COubiu
cred that the business is of vast pro-
portions. requiring great many en-
ployes and heavy miscellaneous ex-
pense.
In leaps and bounds has the busi-
ness of the association grown. In
1897. as stated above, 167 cars OF
fruit were shipped out and the total
business transacted both on fruit
sales and on supplies and merchan-
disc sales was $ss.s37 In 1898 120
cars were handled; total business
$4s.75o. In 1899. 81 cars. and bust.
ness transacted. s56.591. Ii 1900
1877 cars; business, $114.590. In
1901. 1913 cars; business. s153.3SO
In 1902. cars. 452; business, $2S7..
$50. In 1903. 6S2 cars; business
s33s.305. In 1904. 1918 cars; busl
ness, $557,291. III 1905, 71S cars;