TRANSACTIONS OF ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 323 



Mr. Starr — Money can be made at two dollars per dozen for three- 

 pound cans. 



Mrs. HoLLisTER — Not if you sweeten your fruit. 



A Voice — We don't sweeten it. 



Mrs. Hollister — The fruit is not good if sugar is not put in at the 

 time of canning. You can not add sugar afterward and have it good. I 

 would not have your fruit if it is put up without sugar. 



J. L. Blair — The canned-fruit business has become thoroughly 

 demoralized. What are called three-pound cans contain but one pound 

 of meat ; the two-pound cans have but twelve ounces of fruit in them. 

 This is the best standard weight. There is much that is put up that has 

 not half of that. The consumer has become so disgusted with the manner 

 in which the fruit is put up, that he will not buy it. My advice is not to 

 go heavily in the canning business; go light at first. You have got to 

 work up a trade; you must have time to work up a reputation, and 

 demonstrate that you put up an honest package, and then you can sell 

 your fruit. You can then enlarge your capacity and your business. 

 When the people come to know that the brand of the Alton Horticult- 

 ural Society is worth four times as much as the Baltimore brand, they 

 are going to buy of you. 



Mr. Starr — That is the idea. 



Mr. Blair — I would say that drying was more promising than can- 

 ning. Dried Alden-fruit can be kept for years, and there is a demand 

 for it in the cities. I think the drying and canning establishments should 

 go together. 



The Secretary, O. L. Barler, read his annual report, in which he 

 referred to the difficulty in attaining a certain horticultural knowledge. 

 What is orthodox this year becomes heterodox next year, owing to 

 climatic or other changed conditions. When we think we have fastened 

 a truth, and begin to glory in it, some stubborn fact obtrudes itself 

 and upsets all our boasted knowledge, and we walk with unassured 

 footsteps. 



The essayist, recognizing the cloud that now rests on horticulture, 

 yet spoke confidently of the successful outcome of horticultural labor, 

 financially and every way. 



The Treasurer, Mr. Stewart, reported $53.48 on hand. 



The election of officers resulted as follows : 



President — James E. Starr. 



Vice-Presidents — D. Stewart and J. L. Blair. 



