386 State. Horticultural Society. 



What is true of the smaller is also true of the larger fruits. There 

 will always be a demand at paying prices for the best, but only by the 

 proper pruning of the tree and thinning of the fruit can we grow the 

 best. 



A. A. HALLADAY. 



IMPORTANCE OF PROPER PACKAGES. 



Some of the most serious problems that confront the fruit grower 

 are those connected with the questions of harvesting, packing and mar- 

 keting the product. This has been found especially true in relation to 

 the export trade in fresh fruits. In numerous instances efforts to increase 

 the sale and use of American fresh fruits in foreign markets have failed 

 through the imperfect understanding that exists among growers, pack- 

 ers and shippers, as well as transportation companies and their employes, 

 in regard to the requirements of the markets to be supplied and the 

 methocls of harvesting, packing, storing and shipping necessary to meet 

 those requirements. The development of that steady demand which is 

 necessary to build up trade is in many cases retarded by the variability 

 in condition of consignments on arrival. A shipment which arrives per- 

 fectly sound and in every respect satisfactory is frequently followed by 

 one or more that arrive in bad condition. The result is loss of confi- 

 dence in the reliability of American fruit as a staple article of trade and 

 a disastrous lowering of prices. For these reasons it seems highly im- 

 portant that provisions be made for a careful study of methods of har- 

 vesting, packing, storing and transporting fresh fruits, both at home and 

 abroad, with special reference to the development of the export trade in 

 them. Authority to make experimental shipments should also be pro- 

 vided for in this connection. In addition to the immediate beneficial ef- 

 fect resulting from such an investigation, it would have a direct bearing 

 on the selection of varieties for the commercial orchards now being plant- 

 ed in many sections of the country, and thus exercise an important influ- 

 ence on the character of the commercial fruit supply of the next two de- 

 cades. It is therefore strongly urged that provision be made for the pros- 

 ecution of this work during the fiscal year. — W. A. Taylor, Assistant 

 Pomologist, U. S. Department of Agriculture. — Colman's Rural World. 



