134 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sold at more than half these prices, for buyers could obtain all they could 

 use at a considerable discount from prices named. In selling fruit "You 

 can not get more than you ask," and seldom all you ask. 



Do not think for a moment that this was an exceptional day. 1 have 

 good reasons for saying that 150 cars of California fruit were held for days 

 in refrigerator cars, and the receipts from Michigan for several days in 

 succession were from 100,000 to 120,000 packages per day. 



August 30 the prices were lower, but my illustrations were mainly taken 

 September 4, so have used that date for fixing prices. 



Of course, there is no profit to the dealer in handling fruit at such 

 prices. The commissions will not pay the expenses at such figures; and, 

 while the shippers lose, the commission merchants make no money. 



I know of one firm that handled California fruit (that is sold at auction) 

 who stated that the loss to the shippers, on eight cars of California fruit 

 sold during the first week of September, was over $400 besides the fruit; 

 that is, the eight cars lacked that amount of paying charges. The same 

 firm held on track, for three to six days, seven cars, selling on the 10th 

 and 11th, and the net proceeds on the seven cars amounted to nearly 

 $1,700. But they said it was a "head-aching task." 



I think this is sufficient on this point, and will only say the market 

 never recovered from the "slump" to paying figures. A low range of 

 prices prevailed throughout the season. Grapes were affected by it, and 

 sold low, although not so low relatively as peaches. 



Naturally, the shipper of inferior fruit suffered most. While taking the 

 photographs, which are the product of a kodak camera, in one of the upper 

 stories of our building, my attention was called to a " stuffed " basket, and, 

 carefully taking off half the "stuffing" or facing, I took a snap shot at it. 

 [ Fig. 5. ] It can be readily estimated as to the comparative worth of the 

 "facing," which were of fair size, not selected, and the filling below. 



I then took a fair sample of "toppers" and "fillers," and present them 

 side by side, [Fig. 6.] that they may be impartially judged. Unfortun- 

 ately, the number of the stencil was also taken, but I have not looked up 

 the shipper's name. I am sure, however, he has nothing to do with the 

 Michigan State Horticultural society. President Morill would not toler- 

 ate him. 



California today stands at the head in fruit packing, and you will 

 improve your market chances if you follow her example. It is for this 

 purpose alone I introduce the illustrations, that you may realize the diffi- 

 culties in the way of successfully marketing fruit that is inferior or 

 improperly packed or scantily filled. 



The season winds up quietly. Profits have been slight; prices have 

 been low, for people must economize; and fruit is always second to bread 

 in the mind of the laboring man. 



Apples are $2 to $B.25 per barrel; grapes, Catawbas, 15 cents per 

 6-pound basket; California peaches, held in refrigerator cold storage, very 

 poor, 5 to 10 cents per 20-pound box; pears, 60 to 75 cents per 50-pound 

 box. 



The general result has been unsatisfactory, although but few complaints 

 are heard. The people remember times are hard and money close, and, 

 whether grower or dealer, take the situation philosophically. No one 

 expects the season to show any profit, and should by any possibility a mar- 

 gin be found in the transactions of 1894, it will be cause for profound 

 thankfulness. 



