270 STATE HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY. 



Chicago or Milwaukee, or by rail to all points. In this way they secure 

 competition in rates, gentler handling of their shipments, and more 

 courteous treatment, when favors are requested or complaints made. 

 In localities where one or more cars can be loaded in a day, very low 

 transportation rates and prompt service can be secured, either by fast 

 freight or by express. The thing most needed by the grower is a low 

 express rate to small interior points on small lots. 



For the purpose of securing market for the fruits and by cooperation 

 obtaining the highest market prices, the so-called " Shippers' Exchanges" or 

 similar organizations have been found very successful in some states, but 

 although they have been formed at various shipping points in Michigan, 

 through no fault of their own, they have not proved as successful as they 

 should. Fairly successful in securing low rates of transportation, they 

 have failed in raising the price obtained for fruit by guaranteeing the 

 packing, through the selfishness of parties who persisted in using "snide" 

 packages and stuffing them at that. 



PICKING AND MARKETING THE PLUM. 



The general rules given for the peach apply also to the harvesting and 

 packing of the plum, but need to be slightly modified in some of their 

 details. 



The plum, for any except local markets, will need to be picked slightly 

 before it is ripe, this depending upon the length of time necessary for 

 transportation. 



The color, firmness, attachment to the branch, and the taste, are all 

 employed in determining the fitness of a variety for market; but, with the 

 differences that exist in the long list of commercial sorts, no infallible 

 description will be attempted as a guide for picking. A little practice 

 will soon teach one the proper conditions. 



In handling the plum, the same care is needed as for the peach, and 

 particular attention should be paid to the preservation of the bloom. 

 The usual packages for plums are the fifth or peck baskets or the ten- 

 pound Climax basket. The style, however, changes from year to year and 

 differs with the market. 



Agricultural College, } 

 January 25, 1894. [ 



