PROCEEDINGS OF THE WTNTEK MEETING. 17 



poor, iguorant heathen, but among his enUghtened but deceptive fruit- 

 gi-ovring neighbors." 



SOME POINTS OF DISAGEEEilEXT. 



J. G. Ea3ISDELL of Traverse City: I agree to most that has been read, 

 but there are other causes for the troubles of which we complain. The 

 law of supply and demand is an element. TVe may increase the demand 

 by producing better fruit and placing it in better packages ; but how stop 

 the increase of supply? We might stop Prof. Cook's bulletins, telling 

 everybody how to kill insects ; or stop telling of great profits which we 

 know we do not now get. I have made money from plums and peaches, 

 but had I put my money into securities, at six per cent, interest, I would 

 be worth J^IO.OOO more than I am today. The press, and even our Reports, 

 convey this wrong impression. We over-estimate the amount the west 

 will take. It must be chiefly the dried fruits, too. Transportation to the 

 west will always prevent a great supply at prices attainable to the great 

 bulk of consumers. The southern fruits now monopolize our markets, 

 chiefly as a matter of fashion. To save ourselves from this competition, 

 we might enact a law requiring the inspection of all bananas and oranges 

 on the tree and within this state I I see no practicable remedy, at present, 

 for these gluts. 



GLUTS AND THE APPLE BUSINESS. 



X. A. Beechep. of Flushing: I can not successfully grow peaches, and 

 so grow apples instead; and I find I can not take too much pains in grow- 

 ing the best of fruit for market. Much of my success in this way is due 

 to keeping swine in the orchard, to combat the codlin moth by eating the 

 fallen fruit. I have used, mainly, liamyard manure. By care in packing, 

 I have been able to get the best of prices. Four years ago, when there 

 was a large crop in New Tork. I sent a carload of apples to St. Paul, 

 Minn. ; and though 81.40 per barrel was the market price there, mine 

 netted me $1.60 and they wanted ten carloads more of the same, at the 

 same price. I offered to furnish them at 81.75 net aboard cars, and they 

 telegraphed me to send them on. My neighbors, at the same time, got 

 but $1 per barrel. I watch New York, and when there is a large crop 

 there I get my fruit upon the market early, to escape low prices. The 

 past season I got 81.624 per barrel for 900 barrels. Nothing has yet been 

 said as to how small an apple may be. and yet go into a barrel of the best 

 grade. A buyer said to me last fall that 2^ inches in diameter would do 

 for that year, but he usually required a quarter of an inch more. I reject 

 small apples, even though sound, and exclude all that are wormy. I 

 believe the northwest will develop a demand, as the people there become 

 better off, as fast as we develop a supply, and they can not grow fruit for 

 themselves. As to refuse fruit : As I have resolved not to make cider, I 

 turn in the hogs. Not only does this process fatten the hogs, but it helps 

 powerfully to keep down insects. There is no danger of the swine bark- 

 ing trees if they are properly fed. I have never taken a load to the dryer. 

 I have shipped No. 2 fruit, but it was of pretty fair quality and sold at 

 pa}-ing prices. I will not permit the shaking off of apples. It saves no 

 time and it ruins the fruit. A good picker will pick 20 barrels per day ( I 

 know one who averages 29 barrels i, and a man can not pick more than that 

 fi'om the ground. 



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