PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 29 



UNJUST FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION. 



Mr. MuNSON proceeded to speak at length about the unjust classification 

 of peaches in Climax baskets, made by the railway companies. They are 

 rated at one and one half first class. This rate was established in the 

 days when the peach basket was big at the top, little at the bottom, round, 

 and difficult to pile up and make stay up. Such baskets, when in crates, 

 were, and crates still are, carried for one first class rate. As a matter of 

 fact, however, the present style of basket is a better package to pile and 

 handle, than are crates, and they should be carried as cheaply. The 

 Grand Rapids growers are trying to get this wrong made right, and to 

 that end ask the support of this society. Mr. Munson introduced the 

 following resolution, which was adopted: 



Resolved, As the sense of the Michigan State Horticultural society, that the classi- 

 fication of freight which now places peaches at one and one half of first class rates, is 

 a great injustice to peach-growers, and that we hereby request the authority which 

 makes and changes classification of railroad freights, to so modify the present classifi- 

 cation as to place peaches in baskets, or other packages, in same category with grapes, 

 plums, pears, and other fruits of this class at one rate. 



Mr. Munson also said the pomologists about Grand Rapids are setting 

 grapes largely. 



Mr. Brown: The question seems to have been disposed of, and the 

 action taken is entirely proper, but it is a matter that does not concern us 

 of the lake shore, particularly. We have by water cheap and very satis- 

 factory transportation. Our fruit reaches the market early and in as per- 

 fect order as it is possible to have fruit carried. 



Mr. Bridgeman: I must differ with Mr. Brown. The question con- 

 cerns each of us in some degree, for the Chicago & West Michigan rail- 

 way probably charges these rates from some places in Berrien county as 

 well as elsewhere. 



more about varieties of the peach. 



Mr, Sessions: We have been planting peaches for market purposes in 

 Oceana county, for twenty years. The majority of us prefer Hale's as a 

 market variety. We know it is of poor quality, but its season with us, 

 coming when there are few peaches ripe to the south of us, makes it 

 desirable. Waterloo is planted for earlier. Planting of Lewis and 

 Rivers is increasing, while the Crawfords are not set to a great degree. 

 The Conklin is becoming popular. It is a large, yellow peach, about like 

 the Crawford. Barnard is liked for it hardiness and shipping qualities. 

 We are setting no white peaches which ripen after the first yellow variety. 

 The Kalamazoo and Gold Drop are replacing the Chili, Smock is liked. 



