156 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



not be transported long distances. It never should be shipped; it is a nui- 

 sance that should be abolished. But the best of fruit will not always reach its 

 destination in good order with our present accommodations. Know your 

 fruit is good — A No. 1; know it is picked at the right time; know it is 

 packed as fruit ought to be, and delivered to transportation comi^any in prime 

 condition; and then try to know tvhy it does not reach its destination as it 

 ought. Your commission man can probably tell you. 



From large growing districts where cars can be filled, I do not doubt but 

 contracts could be made direct with the railroad companies to furnish cars 

 with the air-brake and Miller platform, to be attached to any passenger train 

 and come through on express time, at much better rates than by express. I 

 believe the fruit trade has already so outgrown the express companies' ac- 

 commodations, that railroad companies should put a car of their own on 

 their fast express trains running to and from large distributing points, and 

 make much lower rates, as they could well afford to do. Such cars in the 

 season would be well filled, and it would largely increase the trade. Express 

 cars are often so overloaded that the fruit is fairlj' cooked; this has been so 

 where my own fruit was concerned, and I know of what I speak. 



An agent of one of the express companies called on me just now; I laugh- 

 ingly said I would read my paper to him, and he could see just what I 

 thought of the express companies. He frankly stated that my strictures 

 were just, that they fully recognized the faults in their system of carriage, 

 that they were powerless to reform them. He also made the request that 

 when this paper was read and printed (if it shall be), he be furnished with a 

 dozen copies, and proposed sending them to their head officials. " I will do 

 all I can to put these things through," was his remark. 



This paper is much longer than I expected it would be when begun; if it 

 contains matters of interest to you I shall be glad ; if it leads to reforms, the 

 time devoted to the writing and listening will be well spent. I thank you 

 for your kind attention. 



DISCUSSION ON THE REPORTS. 



Gov. Colman, of Missouri — These reports are very temperate and 

 sensible. Mr. Thomas has had much experience, and I move that 

 copies of his report (published separately) be sent to the proper offi- 

 cials of railroads. 



3fr. Folck, of Missouri — I am in the nursery business and not so 

 much in fruit, but this fall I was compelled to spend ^1,500 for 

 things which I ought not to have bought till spring, because I 

 could not get them in time in the spring. Delays then would^ in- 

 jure them. 



The report was adopted. 



On motion the Society adjourned. 



