THE ANNUAL MEETING. 165 



ing too many varieties ; in our fruit catalogue as it now stands, comprising 236 

 varieties of apples, only five are marked 10 in the scale for market; therefore, 

 we may safely conclude there are not more than ten or twelve varieties worth 

 cultivating for market. 



Years ago, prior to the formation of this society (which is now holding its 

 tenth annual meeting with us), we labored under many disadvantages in regard 

 to information, on this and many other points, but at present any one desirous 

 can readily acquire all the information necessary by consulting the annual 

 reports of this society. Again, the fruit-growers of Michigan need to place 

 themselves in better position with railroad and other transportation companies, 

 so that our fruits may not be delayed on the road to market, packages broken 

 open, fruit destroyed, excessive charges demanded, etc. 



From the most reliable information we ascertain that although our fruit 

 crop exceeds in quantity that of 1878 or any former year, yet not one-half of 

 the crop has been gathered and secured, and the late cold weather ruining 

 much that was supposed to be secure, we may anticipate a shortage in the 

 amount available, and look for an advance in prices of fruit in fine condition. 

 Indeed, in looking over the markets of green American apples in the London 

 markets, which are quoted from 20 to 26s sterling, we see no great reason for 

 discouragement to the Michigan fruit grower. 



Also the exportation of dried apples from New York, for the week ending 

 November 2?th, amounted to 6,74L bbls. 



In order to make fruit culture a success, and the business remunerative, we 

 hope to see active measures immediately taken to work up our surplus and 

 second quality fruit by establishing more reliable dryers — manufacturing into 

 jellies, jams, etc. 



In conclusion let me say, I anticipate more danger from negligence than 

 from overdoing fruit culture. The time is fast approaching when the farmer 

 will no longer dabble in fruit culture, — when the man that makes fruit-growing 

 a specialty will also make it a success. 



With a soil and climate peculiarly adapted to the growth of fruit, and almost 

 surrounded as we are by numerous fresh inland seas to temper the cold blasts 

 of the winter winds, together with the many advantages of transportation by 

 water and by rail, I feel confident that the fruit-grower need have no fears for 

 the future of fruit culture. 



Judge Lawton. — I think there is more danger from waste than from over- 

 doing. When there is an immense amount of fruit a good deal of it is lost 

 from negligence. One danger is in not utilizing as we ought what we grow. 

 I have thought at times, that there would never be any danger of overdoing 

 fruit culture, because of the rapid increase of noxious insects, and I doubt not 

 when the curculio, codling moth, currant worm, etc., etc., have invaded your 

 fruit grounds, yon have all shared with me in this thought. But Professor 

 Cook, in his lecture, gave us rather disheartening words in this direction. It 

 really looks as if with pyrethrum, London purple, etc., we were going to come 

 out ahead in this fight. On the other hand, however, Dr. Winchell showed us 

 in his admirable lecture how fortunate we were in our climate for the pro- 

 duction of fruit, and at the same time illustrated how unfortunate the great 

 west was and how we are on the eastern rim of this vast country, to be supplied 

 very largely with good fruit from our Michigan. I have shipped peaches 

 during this year to Bismark and Winnipeg successfully. Cheap transportation 

 is our great problem. Good fruit will always be 2)rofitable. 



J. D. Baldwin. — This question originated with our branch society, and 



