REPORT OF STATE HORTICULTURIST. 'JJ 



price less regular commission rates of say 20 cents per bbl., 

 because the man who takes the risk must make more than a 

 regular commission profit. A quantity of apples can be handled 

 cheaper than a few barrels. This is where cooperation comes 

 in, if the growers of any one section can combine and decide to 

 Qrade and sell their apples together. Get in touch with the 

 local hanker, some good wholesale commission house, and all 

 pull together. In a few years a very profitable market can be 

 worked up. 



Right here in Maine you have a good example of a coopera- 

 tive society, which has been steadily at work for the last four 

 or five years and has made a good success, the Oxford Bears 

 Fruit Growers' Association of Buckfield. They have established 

 a brand name and that with a good pack of fruit is the most 

 important asset in selling. 



I reahze that on account of the various conditions which exist 

 in the different sections, it is hard to do this. But you must 

 realize that the more you go out to the market, the more net 

 money you will receive, and as long as you let the market come 

 to you the less money you can expect to receive. And lastly, 

 we cannot get rich in one season, and we must have time, energy 

 and patience to accomplish lasting results. 



I believe one of the most fundamental things for the growers 

 to do is to get in touch with the way apples are marketed in 

 the large cities and the people who are handling them and the 

 different grades and markings for apples. This I think will 

 be a help to all and eliminate much of the misunderstanding 

 that now exists. I am sure the committee on agriculture of 

 the Boston Chamber of Commerce will be very glad to help you 

 get in touch with these markets, buyers and conditions. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



The large attendance at all of the meetings held in Auburn 

 was especially gratifying to those in charge, but satisfactory as 

 that factor was, the enthusiasm which developed was still the 

 most encouraging feature of the meeting. The fact that a reg- 

 ister kept at the door had 280 names enrolled at the end of the 

 meeting and the additional record in that book that growers 

 who registered owned an aggregate of practically 135,000 fruit 

 trees, are figures that are significant of the success of this con- 

 vention. 



