THE CALIFORNIA rKUIT UNION. 453 



were held, which were fully reported by the press; many of 

 the large growers freely gave their time and expenses in 

 visiting various parts of the state. The project was received 

 with enthusiasm and unanimity, and apparently every grower 

 in the state was likely to join in a movement so obviously to 

 their advantage. The California Fruit Union was, therefore, 

 incorporated in November, 1885, with an autliorized capital 

 stock of 1250,000,* and the basis of stock subscription was 

 made at $1.00 per acre of orchard, an amount which it was 

 estimated would yield an ample capital for tlie purpose, after 

 paying all the expenses of organization. A certain fixed 

 commission was charged for marketing the fruit, out of which 

 all expenses, including six per cent dividend on the capital 

 stock, were to be paid, and the balance, if any, paid over to 

 the growers according to the amount shipped by each. 



But it was soon found that action did not necessarily 

 follow talk; all were anxious to see the union established, 

 but few were willing to risk the dollar per acre. The great 

 majority of the growers remained idly at home waiting for 

 some one no more interested than they to come and talk to 

 them, when they might decide to join the movement, or quite 

 as likely want time to think it over. No one was willing that 

 the plan should be given up, but nearly all were determined 

 that some one else should bear the burden. At no time did the 

 paid-up capital stock exceed $15,000, representing about one- 

 tenth of the acreage more or less interested in the deciduous 

 fresh-fruit trade. All this was consumed in expenses of 

 organization — ^that is, in printing, postage and the traveling 

 expenses of those seeking to induce their fellow-growers to 

 unite with them. 



The organization, however, was effected before the results 

 were apparent, the directors being mostly large growers, well 

 informed as to the methods of conducting the fresh-fruit 



*The committee recommended that the capital stock should be $100,000, 

 but the convention would not listen to such a thing. A quarter of a million 

 it must be, at the very least, which was very comical in view of the actual 

 subscriptions finally made. 



