14 
BULLETIN 1237, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
the introduction of national advertising, the various activities of the 
field department, and the 'extension of the work of the traffic depart- 
ment. Preceding these activities in time of origin, however, was a 
very general improvement in handling practices which was the result 
of investigation initiated by the United States Department of Agri- 
culture. These factors are discussed in detail in a succeeding section. 
Carloads of Oranges and Lemons shipped from California and portion marketed by the California 
Fruit Growers Kxchange. [Three-year moving average.] 
CARS 
THOUSANDS 
50 
40 
30 
20 
I 
1885 1890 1895 
1900 
905 
1925 
Fig. 3. — Exchange shipments have increased faster than shipments from the State, so that the percent- 
age handled of both lemons and oranges has gradually increased. The exchange now controls 85 per 
cent of the lemons and 70 per cent of the oranges. Figures for lemons and oranges separately are not 
available previous to 1906. 
Percentage of Citrus Fruit Marketed Through the California Fruit Growers Exchange 
PER CENT 
80 
60 
40 
20 
1925 
I ['.. i. -Enthu Lasm ran high when the exchange system wasflrsl organized in 1893. The southern 
. controlled 90 per cenl ol the crop. Bui the mistake of managers, 
Inexperienced in the highly technical processes of packingand marketing, the competition of estab- 
lished traders, and the lacb <>r cohesiveness <>i the newlj organized growers resulted in the loss of 
in) me until tl controlled only one-fifth of toe citrus fruit of the State. With increasing 
experience, the organiz tion was placed on a Bounder basis and i he percentage of shipments Bteadily 
Incri 
