MISCELLA.NEOUS PAPERS. 227 



importance with this part of what may be termed farm work than any 

 other. Having at the start only a small surplus to send to market, the 

 beginner is placed at a disadvantage. If a number of beginners can 

 ■combine, and work and ship together, much better results can be real- 

 ized. Tlie necessary packages can be purchased at a less cost, and 

 better rates in shipping can be secured where there is a considerable 

 lot to go than only a small one. Then, too, in a majority of cases bet- 

 ter attention will be secured from the commission merchant. In fact, 

 there is almost every advantage to be gained by co-operation, while 

 there is much to be lost in attempting to go it alone. Then much can 

 be learned from each other's experience. When working alone one is 

 inclined to be selfish, and whether meeting with success or failure, the 

 fact is hidden, when, if working together, many mistakes might be 

 avoided. Again, when some distance to market, co-operation will ena- 

 ble a car-load to be made up instead of a number of separate ship- 

 ments, and the difference in the cost of transportation in this way will 

 make quite a difference in the profits, as profit can only be counted 

 after all expenses are paid. 



The beginner often fails to ship because of only having small lots 

 ready at any one time, and good fruit is often allowed to go to waste 

 or is sold at very low prices, and the beginner discouraged, when, if 

 working with a few of his neighbors, good prices could have been 

 realized and much encouragement be derived. Meet during the winter 

 and talk co-operation over, and before the season opens have some 

 understanding of how to Avork together to the best advantage. 



N. J. Shephebd, 



Eldon, Mo. 



THE FKUIT CHOP OF 1892. 



From the Kansas City Journal. 



Years ago, before the city of Westport became such a populous 

 suburb of Kansas City as it is now, and before it was cut up into build- 

 ing blocks and lots, L. A. Goodman, a graduate of the University of 

 Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and a civil engineer by profession, settled on a 

 large farm, now absorbed largely by the residence part of the city, and, 

 as a means of diversion, with incidental profits, occupied his leisure 

 hours in the cultivation of fruit. He planted large orchards of peach, 

 apple and other fruit trees, and cultivated with scientific nicety the 

 finer grades of improved fruit. 



