No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 495 



The average ten year price in the eighties was about |2.53 per bar- 

 rel, in the nineties the ten year price on the New York marliet was 

 something like |2.r.O. This was the average price for the Baldwin 

 apple and the Baldwin apple was not selling at the highest price. 

 In this last year apples were selling at |3.27. It simijly means that 

 the apple consumption is increasing even under present conditions 

 of inferior and faulty pack. The price of apples will increase. If 

 we can protect the consumer, it will increase more rapidly. 



MR. E. C. TYSON : Prof. Stewart said that the Rural New Yorker 

 was asked where a certain man could get a barrel of perfect apples. 

 I just want to say for your encouragement that in answer to this 

 the Rural New Yorker replied that if he would send his order to 

 any member of the Fruit Growers Association of Adams county, 

 he would get straight goods. This is very encouraging, but it also 

 places upon us a great responsibility. We have it in our hands to 

 make or mar our reputation and if we fall down it is our own fault. 



MR. McKAY: I had the pleasure of attending the Bedford County 

 Fruit Growers Association a few weeks ago and while there, I 

 met a Congressman and I was wondering if a Congressman ever 

 attended this Fruit Growers Association. I don't remember of 

 ever seeing one on the program. It may be that you have no 

 Congressman here but they have at Bedford. I was pleased to see 

 there the Congressman, and by the way, I had the pleasure of meet- 

 ing him and went out to his fruit farm, and, just to show you — 

 the last election he was elected by a big majority. I found out that 

 he is interested in everything that the fruit growers are interested 

 in, and he takes a personal pleasure in helping them along. He 

 goes to their meetings and so I think that it is partly your own 

 fault that you don't get acquainted with the Congressman. Presi- 

 dent Roosevelt was the first president that ever recognized the 

 farmer; and in reference to packages 1 want to say that New York 

 State last year did put up apples in bad shape. The prospect was 

 that apples would be high and they put up all kinds of apples. 

 That is what kept the price down last year. I think that there is a 

 general improvement in packages and the general impression now 

 among men is that they must put up a good package, an honest 

 package, if they want to get a good price. I don't handle many 

 apples but I must say that the packages are much better than they 

 have been. There is one thing that has attracted my attention. Of 

 course, the forests have been cut off and in spite of the Govern- 

 ment's efforts to keep them up, wood is getting higher every day, 

 and I was wondering if you cannot get up a package out of straw 

 board and I think the time is coming that you will probably want a 

 little different package. In this connection, I wish to say that the 

 package is growing small, even out in the West. I notice the pack- 

 age here is smaller than it was last year. Now about the prices. 

 Washington apples sold in open market for as high as |3.00 a box, 

 probably they wholesaled at |2.00 a box. A Pennsylvania gentle- 

 man received |2..50 a box last year for his apples. I don't believe 

 that there was one apple that wasn't perfect. His customers were 

 pleased and this year wanted more but he did not have any this 

 year. The apple market is improving. The package is improving, 

 and I think if you get your Congressman and show him what you 

 are doing, when you want anything he can get it for you. 



