218 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ALTON- SOUTHERN 



have some bearing on this subject. We have experienced seasons of 

 low prices before, and have lived through them, and I have no doubt 

 but that we will be able to exist a little longer under adverse circum- 

 stances. As far as 1 am personally concerned, I intend to be at 

 home should fortune happen to knock at the door, and be both ready 

 and willing to let her in. 



Mr. Davis thought the prospect very poor for the fruit-grower 

 in Southern Illinois; there was too much fruit produced, and very 

 much of it of poor cjuality, which broke down prices for the good as 

 well as for the poor; thought there should be less produced and that 

 of better quality. 



Mr. Riehl thought prospects were brightening. The trouble has 

 not all come from over-production, but a large part is attributable to 

 hard times in general, which have thrown many workingmen out of 

 employment, and who thus were unable to buy fruit. The farmers 

 have had a good wheat crop, and so times are better with them, and 

 theybuy clothing, groceries, furniture and implements; this helps trade 

 in general. The railroads, too, find employment in moving the 

 crops; business confidence is returning, new railroads are being built, 

 mines and manufactories are resuming operations, so that the labor- 

 ing men all over the country are finding employment, and, having 

 employment, they will have the means with which to purchase, and 

 when they have the means they are liberal buyers and large consum- 

 ers. Hence we may confidently look for better times in the near 

 future. 



