200 State Horticultural Society. 



REPORT OF W. T. FLOURNOY. MARIONVILLE, MO. 



As the fruit industry here has only very recently assumed a de- 

 gree of importance we cannot speak of changes in the methods of 

 marketing. Further than a general desire by all interested to help 

 along the adjustment of market conditions that seem best for the 

 good of all concerned, there is no fixed rule as yet as a guide. 



Fruit-growers' organizations a:re gaining in strength as a factor in 

 teaching growers how to better handle and prepare fruits for market 

 as well as find such markets. The canning and evaporating of fruits 

 is rapidly assuming a degree of more importance in tlie handling of 

 the surplus in localities where it may occur. Though the canneries as 

 a rule are built in this locality more especially for canning tomatoes 



The manufacturing of preserves, jellies marmalades, etc., so far 

 has been entirely neglected. I believe mostly for lack of time for their 

 establishment. 



The control of injurious insects and plant diseases by better cul- 

 tivation and general care, including spraying, etc., has been marked by 

 the general improvement in the quality of all fruits. To the writer it 

 appears that the above outlined treatment by each individual has more 

 influence in the betterment of fruit-growing conditions than legislation 

 could have done, for this not being an arid region, diseases of all 

 kinds are developed in the wild growths in waste places that no 

 amount of legislation can reach successfully, while in arid regions 

 where no water is furnished there is very little or no development of 

 disease in waste places and localities where fruits are not raised. This 

 locality has been apt in taking hold of the more advanced ideas in 

 orchard management, and a desire to adopt for the immediate locality 

 the selection of varieties most suited. The region in its early settle- 

 ment was set all over with small orchards with a great variety of 

 fruits, and together with a great many seedlings that have sprung up 

 since. They have many and varied examples of the value of different 

 varieties to select the very best suited varieties for commercial 

 orchards that are being very rapidly set on land and localities, the very best 

 suited for the growing of such fruits. 



