THE PENINSULA FAEMERS' CLUB. 439 



Wbat can we do to remedy these evils? Obviously no more of the fruits 

 that perish soon after ripening must be offered than is required to supply the 

 demand. Prices go down under the influence of a small surplus, at a very 

 rapid rate. Only a few more baskets of peaches or pounds of grapes, or boxes 

 of berries than the market requires are needed to set the prices of these fruits 

 tumbling. If a few be sold late in the day at a reduced price, the reduction is 

 almost certain to be established for the next day. This becomes inevitable if 

 it is known that there is an abundant crop or a small surplus. But how can 

 "we find the gauge of the correct quantity? We cannot. We can't tell how 

 much will be needed. We can't tell how much will be produced. We can't 

 tell, when we plant, anything about the fruitfulness of the seasons that are to 

 follow. And here, very opportunely indeed, comes the drying and canning 

 establishments. They can take the surplus and put it into such shapes as to 

 defy the action of the elements or the lapse of time. And so I again repeat, 

 let us have these establishments as soon as possible, and in order to secure 

 them, obviously, we should guarantee any amount of patronage that may be 

 reasonably required. But some are sacrificing in their long-keeping apples. 

 Last fall there was quick sale for mature apples at a dollar a bushel ; but par- 

 ties at the same time were selling beautiful Baldwins and Greenings for $2.50 

 per barrel. Such fruit has sold quickly in its season for $4.00 during the 

 last four years. It must certainly be worth as much from February next 

 until it is gone. I inquired of one man why he was selling at such ruin- 

 ous prices. His answer was that he wanted certain necessary articles for 

 immediate use in his family. Herein lies a great difhculty. Such fruit is 

 wanted as is fit for immediate use. Such as is not wanted must be sold at a 

 sacrifice, if sold at all. Here the only remedy is to hold the fruit until it is 

 wanted. Canning and drying do not help. But mauy can't hold it, or think 

 they can't. Their necessities compel them to sell for what they can get. The 

 influence of such sales is very depressing, as all must see. The best customers 

 take advantage of such opportunities and lay in their season's supplies. 



As remedies I suggest, first, fruit-growers should become intimately ac- 

 quainted and know quite well the extent of each other's operations. An inti- 

 mate acquaintance will enable all to understand whab may be the pressing 

 wants of each. It will give such confidence to ask advice, obtain information, 

 and often pecuniary assistance, to a small extent, but sufficient to satisfy im- 

 mediate wants. Second, may not receiving houses be established at convenient 

 points, where fruit can be stored and held until the suitable time arrives for 

 selling? Receipts for such fruits to be given, such receipts would sell for a 

 minimum price in hand, a stipulation that the maximum should be paid when 

 the fruit is sold, a small percentage for the accommodation; and it occurs to 

 me that to make such a plan efiective the fruit-growers should or could organ- 

 ize into a close association, and make these houses their agencies for receiving 

 and taking care of all long-keeping fruit offered until the time arrives when it 

 becomes advisable to sell. This is the briefest possible statement. I hope 

 there is enough of it to lead to careful investigation. I have just given it 

 thought enough to establish the opinion in my own mind that something prac- 

 tical and useful may grow out of it, but I should want considerable help to 

 put it into running order. 



Mr. Tracy. — There was such a society as Mr. Curtis describes organized at 

 South Haven. I do not know what success it met with. I think it would be 

 well for fruit men of this region to consult as to the varieties and amount of 



