REPORTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 355 



using up the surplus or unsaleable fruit of all kinds. Cold storage can be 

 provided, which will extend the season of several kinds of fruit. When 

 we consider the great amount of money invested in fruit-bearing trees, 

 vines, and plants, and the interests involved in the results, we can readily see 

 the importance of obtaining all the knowledge in relation to the business, 

 and the need of putting this knowledge into practice, not as a few individ- 

 uals but as a community generally. All will admit that great changes for 

 the better have been made within the past few years in growing fruit for 

 market. Much greater changes can, and probably will, be brought about 

 in the future. Progression in fruitgrowing is the true road to success. 

 Those who are in the advance will always reap the greatest benefits. 



L. A. Lilly: I have no doubt that most of us might improve in our 

 methods in managing the industry; and what is needed in this line is that 

 not only individuals but the whole community act upon these principles. 

 We need the instruction and stimulus received at such meetings as this. 

 The young men ought to attend and take hold of this matter. The older 

 men have laid the foundation for fruitgrowing in Michigan, and made the 

 way easy for the young men to reap great benefits from this industry. 

 There is no danger of overstocking the market with apples if we grow the 

 right kinds, and use good sense and intelligence in placing them on the 

 market. 



A. J. Beacelin: We have all the natural advantages for growing fruit 

 — soil, climate, shipping facilities, and continuous good markets. But we 

 must get out of the old ruts and take and maintain a higher standard 

 along the whole line of fruitgrowing. By so doing we shall make for our- 

 selves a better reputation than we now have, although it is already fair 

 compared with other states. Before Michigan fruit was known in the 

 markets we met with slow sales; but as our reputation gained, sales 

 increased and prices advanced. We can grow good apples and in large 

 quantities, but we are not satisfied with our sales, and the buyers are not 

 satisfied with our method of packing and sorting. These things should be 

 better understood to enable us to do the business in such manner as will be 

 just to all. We should systematize our plans and work together. There is 

 one branch of this industry that is coming to be of great importance and 

 a source of revenue to those engaged in it. That is canning and 

 evaporating fruit, and especially working up refuse apples. If we can sell 

 imperfect and refuse apples for a fair price for these purposes, men will 

 have less temptation to work them off with the better class. 



L. A. Lilly: The business of evaporating apples has steadily increased, 

 the demand is still growing rapidly, and prices have advanced. I think 

 the business is only just begun and will soon grow into one of great mag- 

 nitude. This will consume all of our second-class apples and leave only 

 first-class fruit to be put upon the market. I believe that every fruit- 

 grower should take papers which will keep him posted and up with the 

 times. This will more than pay the cost. We should keep posted on the 

 markets of the world and know the ruling prices of all kinds of fruit. 



