162 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



some have already done, discontinue the business for a time on account 

 of the ravages of yellows. 



METHODS. 



The proper methods of setting, picking, packing, and marketing the 

 fruit, have been so thoroughly described and discussed and published in 

 the proceedings of this and other societies, that any extended consideration 

 of the matter in this paper seems unnecessary. But it may not be amiss 

 to say a word in regard to transportation, a very important factor to 

 pecuniary success. For several years past the shipments from Fennville 

 have been made on the so-called granger plan. That is, the railway com- 

 pany simply furnishes the necessary cars and transportation, at a fixed rate 

 per car, the loading and unloading being done under the direction of an 

 association of shippers. This plan has proved the most satisfactory, and 

 the cheapest way, that has ever been tried. The only cause of complaint, 

 the late arrival in Chicago, a matter of frequent occurrence in former 

 years, was remedied this year; and, so far as transportation is concerned, 

 the past season has been eminently satisfactory. A very important 

 incidental advantage of this method of shipment is that the addition of a 

 fraction of a cent per basket to the actual cost of transportation and hand- 

 ling, which is necessary to provide for emergencies, pay shortages, and 

 protect the association from pecuniary loss, provides a fund which, after 

 all legitimate claims are paid, is devoted to improving the roads leading to 

 the shipping point. By this means a great improvement has been made in 

 some of our most traveled roads. Hills have been graded, hollows filled, 

 and the surface covered with the best road material obtainable, to the great 

 advantage of the public in general and fruit shippers in particular. It was 

 considered that the money in the treasury of the association could be 

 applied to no better purpose, nor one more to the benefit of those who con- 

 tributed it (the shippers) than by improving the roads over which the fruit 

 must be hauled to reach the railway. Each year the work is extended 

 further from the shipping point, is of present and lasting benefit to the 

 community, and is a valuable object lesson to pathmasters and others who 

 have to do with the making of roads. 



EECENT CHANGES AND PENDING ONES. 



The danger to peach-growing from yellows has been a matter of serious 

 consideration for a number of years; and, with the almost complete failure 

 of the peach crop in 1889 and '90, has led many growers to turn their 

 attention to other kinds of fruit, so that the present indications are that 

 the production of currants, gooseberries, grapes, pears, and plums will 

 assume increased proportions as a substitute for or supplementary to 

 peach-growing. 



NEEDS AND DANGERS. 



The dangers to peach-growing in this region, I think, may be included 

 in the one word', yellows. The needs are, a good yellows law, which I 

 think we have, notwithstanding it has been declared unconstitutional by 

 cross-roads lawyers and parties who are opposed to its enforcement; com- 



