BEGINNINGS IN CALIFORNIA S7 



constantly supplied with their full quota of fruit in order 

 to consume the output. This distribution can be better ac- 

 complished by those most directly interested, the growers 

 themselves. The citrus fruit grower is no longer independ- 

 ent of his neighbor as to marketing his crop, but each one 

 is dependent upon the other, especially in so far as sys- 

 tematic distribution is concerned. 



The Southern California Fruit Exchange is composed 

 only of growers, who recognize all legitimate dealers in the 

 trade, and who are organized for the purpose of disposing 

 of their products in all markets of the country upon the 

 most advantageous terms, and to secure distribution to the 

 trade at the least expense compatible with the best service, 

 securing to the consumer the fruit at reasonable prices, and 

 to the grower the best average returns. 



When the Southern California Fruit Exchange resumes 

 its selling operations on September i next, in the absence 

 of other instructions from, or a change in policy inaugu- 

 rated by the growers themselves, through their repre- 

 sentatives on its board of directors, the management will 

 endeavor to sell the fruit in such manner as will bring the 

 most money for the product, confining itself neither to cash 

 sales in California, f. o. b. sales California (subject to in- 

 spection, draft attached to bill of lading), nor sales de- 

 livered, nor to any other one method. Its agents and 

 representatives will be instructed to secure all orders pos- 

 sible for fruit, allowing the customer to take his preference 

 as to whether he wants these orders to be for spot cash, 

 f. o. b., usual terms, or delivered, subject of course to the 

 confirmation of the Exchange or Association shipping. 



During the period of the agency and that immediately 

 preceding, the citrus fruit area had been rapidly expanding 

 in the San Joaquin Valley and elsewhere. As the producing 

 area expanded the Southern California Fruit Exchange also 

 extended its organization to the new districts. The name 

 therefore became inappropriate, so in March, 1905, the 

 California Fruit Growers Exchange was incorporated, and 

 in September of the same year it succeeded to the business 



