106 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



to work up, it would not pay to invest in them. There were a 

 number of portable dryers in the market that would work up a 

 large amount of fruit during the season, and he had no doubt that 

 the}' could be used to great profit in drying apples when plenty, 

 and small fruits and other things, earlier in the season and years 

 when apples were scarce. Much more of the crop could have 

 been saved if we only knew how to market, both how to prepare the 

 packages and where to ship. Much of the fruit that went to waste 

 could have been sold at fair rates had it been packed in barrels in 

 good shape and sent to common merchants near home. If put up 

 in an attractive manner and in a shape in which it could be han- 

 dled without injury, and so that it would keep for a reasonable 

 time, many of our citizens who raise little or no fruit would buy 

 freely for present and future use ; but where shipped loose in bags 

 there was no inducement to buy. It is in a poor condition to 

 keep, and must be sold at low prices, if at all. It is true that 

 currants had been very cheap, but they had sold their whole crop 

 at $1.50 profit on a bushel, while the market price had been one 

 dollar and less, simply because they were packed, shipped and 

 put on the market in good shape. 



Mr. Hoxie, of Cookville, inquired if it would not have paid to 

 have made the apples up into cider and wine. It is true that there 

 is a moral question about it, but for certain uses there is no doubt 

 but that these articles could be used properly and to advantage. 

 The sweet apples were undoubtedly good for stock, and would be 

 used freely by them. 



SECOND DISTRICT — J. C. rLUMB, MILTON. 



Counties — Eoch, Walworth. Green, Dane, La Fayette and 

 Iowa. — The year 1880 will be remembered as " the great apple 

 year."' If our town assessors are taithful in securing statistics of 

 this crop, the next annual leport of our secretary of state will 

 show a yield beyond all precedent in all southern Wisconsin. 

 Not only was the yield large, but remarkable for size and perfec- 

 tion of specimens. The home market was, of course, soon glutted ; 

 and prices run from one dollar per bushel for best early, to ten 

 cents per bushel for the mass of fall apples, which neither the 

 cider mills or domestic use could conserve, and as few were sup- 



