104 PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION 



In selecting the directors, it has always been the aim to pick one from 

 each shipping association first and then make up the balance of the 

 directorate from some of the old 1 1 stand-bys. ' ' 



The annual balance sheet to December 31, 1908, showed an organiza- 

 tion with a splendid surplus, and a record of having paid two dividends, 

 and every prospect of a continuance of the same. 



The dividends are disbursed as follows: first 6 per cent is set aside 

 as a payment on stock, then 20 per cent of the net earnings for the first 

 three years is set aside as a reserve fund. The balance is divided 75 per 

 cent among all growers, or growers' associations, who have signed con- 

 tracts and shipped consistently, in proportion to their gross earnings, 

 and 25 per cent as a further dividend on stock. The first and second 

 years we divided the balance half on stock and half on gross sales, but 

 we recognized as a grower's organization the stock was earning too 

 much, and changed it to increase the dividend on the tonnage as the 

 stock was only intended as a means to an end and we desired the growers 

 who produce the increment to obtain the benefit of it. 



Our growth in tonnage during 1908 (the first year after reorganizing) 

 was about 95 per cent (588 in 1907; 1.146 in 1908). The increase for 

 the State during the same period was about 70 per cent (7,491 in 1007 ; 

 12,917 in 1908). 



Our gain this year over last has been about 25 per cent (1,146 in 

 1908; 1,433 in 1909). 



The State growth to the same date has been about 17 per cent (12.917 

 in 1908; 15,172 in 1909). 



The growers' organizations with whom we have marketing arrange- 

 ments are: 



Acampo Fruit Growers' Association. 



Acampo Christian Colony, through J. P. Dargilz. 



Auburn Fruit Growers' Association. 



Courtland Fruit Growers' Company. 



Florin Fruit Growers' Association. 



Fresno Fruit Growers' Company. 



Linden Fruit Growers' Association. 



Loomis Fruit Growers ' Association. 



Lodi Packing Company. 



Newcastle Fruit Growers ' Association. 



Pemyn Fruit Growers' Association. 



Sacramento River Association. 



Vacaville Fruit Growers ' Association. 



Winters Fruit Growers' Association. 

 We also have a marketing arrangement with The San J oaquin County 

 Table Grape Growers' Association for members who desire to ship 

 through us. 



We also have agencies at Lodi and Vacaville. We expect both dis- 

 tricts to become association points before long. Our agencies are with- 

 drawn as soon as the growers organize for themselves ; that is our only 

 reason for an agency. We also market fruit for growers in several 

 districts who operate individually and load their own cars. These 

 associations and agencies represent practically every important ship- 

 ping center in northern California, except the apple districts. 



With the assortments we are able to give, coupled with a trained 



