FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 43 



we thought we coukl neglect the tliiugs they fouiid essential, l)n< we 

 know better now, nn<l having learned our mistake, are seeking to profit 

 by its lessons. 



While you are in this cily, 1 hope yon will avail yourselves ol' the 

 chance to see producers selling to consumers or to single mi<l(llenien, 

 at the Grand Rajtids market. I invite your attention further to the 

 fruit exchanges or marketing a.ssocialions that are being formed about- 

 the State. 



In ni}' own connnnnity, we have such an exchange that is now entering 

 its third year of successful ojjeration. We have learned much in the 

 past three years, some of the lessons l»eing a bit expensive, but we be- 

 lieve that no lesson need be rejieated. We are satisfied that our ex- 

 change offers the best means we liave yet had ottered us in solving our 

 problems of marketing ami in securing to the growers their fair share 

 of what consumers pay for their product. 



The mosi imjiortant thing remaining is, by law, jtublic sentiment and 

 the best efforts of the groAvers to stableize the package that its con- 

 tents shall be as definite and fixed as the pound, the quart, pQck or 

 bushel ; and, that the grading, sorting and packing shall be as careful 

 as those of the manufacturers who have stan<lardized their closed pack- 

 ages so as to Avin public a]»])r(nal. 



As helping to emi'hasize the importaiice of horticultural products, 

 esj)ecially in home building, T mention a trip to California in January, 

 1895. The officers of the Ameril-an l*omological Society starting from 

 Boston and gathering many other Eastern mend)ers along the way, 

 came by special car to Chicago where a special train was provided and 

 Prof. Taft and myself ami many others joined them before crossing 

 the mountains into California. 



The First meeting was held at Sacramento, January IGth, 17th and 

 18th, 1895. Four other meetings Avere held at San Francisco, San Jose, 

 Los Angles, and San Diego, with side tri]is giving us a comprehensive 

 view of Southern California. I shall not tresjiass on your time to men- 

 tion the pa](ers and discussions or to speak of the interest and enthus- 

 iasm of the meeting, but as bearing on the importance and value to the 

 home and its surroundings, I quote from the address of Avelcome. 

 After condoling Avith us that we should live in a part of the country 

 having such raging storms in the East as Avere described in the papers 

 the day before our arrival, he gave us cordial greeting and a hearty 

 Avelcome to the land of sunshine, fruits and floAvers, he reminded us 

 of the days of old, the days of gold, and days of '19. The days of gold 

 advertised California over the world more than any other country on 

 earth, but that brought no homes; then came the days of ranching, and 

 there were thousands of cattle and sheep on a thousand hills, attended 

 by a few cowboys with tents and ponies, but that brought no homes. 



Then came AA'heat raising with four or eight-horse or mule team, or 

 a traction engine draAving gang ])1oavs, Avith seeder droi)ping the grain 

 and a ]>lanker behind to cover it, also one man and team to supply the 

 seed and fuel. 



At harvest the engine AAas hitched to a lieader an<l the AAdieat cut 

 and threshed and drojjped oft" in bags, later to be picked up by the 



