The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1921-03-10
RISE OF THE GEM FRUIT
UNION
Wise Management and Sound
Business Methods Respons-
ible for Growth.

when DIR. N. B. Barnes was organic
er and became manager of the EN-
NETT District Fruit Growers Associa
tion. This association was forme,
for the purpose of having an organi
zation owned by the fruit growers, b.
which their fruit could be packed ant
marketed. iAs is nearly always th
case in a movement of this kind, th'
start was slow and the first two years
were needed to bring the organization
to the point where it could see IT.
way to develop in concrete manne,
by having it's own packing house art
storage.
In 1915 Mr.. B. B. Davis was chosen
as manager of the organization, which
became known as the Emmett Fruit
Growers Union, and through his eff.
forts the real development work be.
gan, Property was acquired by tbs
Union at the corner of Washington
and Canal streets, and the work Of
building the packing house and stor-
age was soon under way The build
ing was completed in time to handle
the 1916 crop, but this did not prove
to be large. With the packing house
completed, however, the Union was
in a position to render real service
to its members, and the organization
took on permanent shape.
Early in 1917 Guy B. Dayton be-
came manager of the Union, and soon
displayed his thorough understanding
of the fruit business by handling the
1917 crop in very creditable man
ner, giving satisfaction to the mem
bers.
Due to the limited fruit crop during
the 1918 season there was not great
deal of activity in the fruit business,
but during the 1919-1920 season the
distinct value of a fruit growers or
ganization was made clear by the ac-
tivities Of the Union.
/, About year ago the Emmett Fruit
Growers Union, which had been oper-
ated as a cooperative concern since
its beginning in 1918, was Incorporate
ed under the name of Gem Fruit
Union. All the members of the old
Union were made stockholders in the
new corporation on basis of the
amount Of money invested in the
Union. 1t had been decided early in
1920 that in order for the Union to
progress and meet the, increasing de-
nand for it's services, the best form
10 operate under would be that of a
regular stock company, and the
growth of the Gem Fruit Union since
t was Incorporated bears testimony
% the action taken by the members OF
me old Union.
The past season has been banner
me for the organization in every re-
'pect. During this time large ad-
lition has been built, giving common
lir-storage space for more than sew
,nty-five care of fruit. Equipment has
,een added both to the packing house
md the storage, making it possible
o handle the fruit with out loss of
ime. All the equipment is up-to-date
md right in line with the handling of
resh fruits The added equipment
made it possible to handle the ton
age of both prunes and apples this
'ast season in a very satisfactory
manner to all concerned. The size Of
he present plant gives ample room
or growth, as plans were made look
ng toward that end.
The growth of any organization
,hich is made up of those who pro-
uce crops is closely linked with the
forts put forth by some individual
r individuals in the organization. In
he case Of the Gem Fruit Union, one
f these individuals is Senator ]. Loe
.eed, the present president of the or
He has always given un-
alfshly Of his time and energy to
its welfare and growth. Mr..
.eed, himself a fruit grower, is a
reat believer in cooperation as an
<pediency for solving the packing
nd marketing problems of the fruit
rover, and hence his desire to see
lie Gem Fruit Union thrive in such
manner as to enable it to give its
.rvices to all fruit growers.
Inc present mdDdEemeHC is III very
lpable hands in Guy B. Dayton as
anager. Mr.. Dayton began his
ork in the fruit business as foreman
the Fairbury Nurseries, at Fair
Try, Neb.,' at the age of 10. His ,
lrly experience covered both the field
nursery work and orcharding. At
r leaving Nebraska he took up fruit
owing in the Palisades and Grand ,,
Colorado, districts where |
. found his nursery experience
great value to a fruit grower ..
bout twelve years ago, when the
uit industry around Emmett was
its infancy, Mr.. Dayton came
re, and has, with the exception I
very short time, been engage t
in the fruit growing and the pres G
t management of the Gem Fruit
MON. 1t is no doubt Mr.. Dayton's 0
actical experience as a fruit grower t
8 enabled him to give such very sat
factory service to the growers of T
e organization. He has always