8 3 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



tained, is plainly stamped on each package. The I'ailroad men know 

 this man: he is a regular customer; he is come to stay. They res- 

 pect him and his goods and they are "passed through" in good 

 order to some tirst-class commission man who readily finds first-class 

 customers at paying prices. His returns are satisfactory. The de- 

 mand increases for this particular brand of fruit. The fruit grower, 

 if he does not grow wealthy in the ordinary acceptation of the term, 

 he does in a clear conscience and a spotless and unsullied character, 

 and he is alike an honor to himself and to his calling. 



Now who can doubt, when this subject is viewed in this light, 

 and I am sure it is the correct view of the subject, that the interests 

 of these classes are mutual. That what will secure the best and 

 most satisfactory accommodations from transportation companies, is 

 to grow more fruit along their lines and to give it to them in a more 

 secure and inviting shape, and they, in turn, will lay it down at the 

 doors of commission men in a condition to guarantee its rapid dis- 

 tribution to consumers at fair prices. Thus all will be benefited, 

 even the denizens of crowded cities who are now too often strangers 

 to the luxury of good, wholesome fruit. 



I have now presented my subject in brief, trusting that this in- 

 telligent body of practical fruit growers may take it up, and, if pos- 

 sible, assist in devising plans of mutual co-operation between these 

 several interests that have too long been regarded as antagonistic, 

 and thus better the conditions of all concerned, — the firuit grower, 

 the transportation companies, the commission men and the consumer. 



Parker Earle being called upon for his opinion on some of the 

 points presented, said he did not feel the speech-making impulse 

 stirring within him, but would answer any questions that might be 

 asked. 



Question —Do you employ commission men to sell your goods? 



Answer — Yes; I. sell all my berries through commission men. 



Question — Do you change often? 



Answer — No, never. 



Question — Do you ever lose anything? 



Answer — No; never lost a cent in my life in that way. 



Question — What per cent, do you pay for selling your fruit? 



Answer — I always pay ten per cent. If a man offers to sell for 

 less I am afraid of him. 



Question — Do you use full quarts? 



