FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 11 



time, uot so vei*y long ago either, when the majority were swindlers. 

 AVe also tried tJie co-operative plan with some success for a time, but that 

 finally ceased from various causes and we are now just about where we 

 started and any hints or suggestions regarding this very important part 

 of our business will be gratefully received. 



DISCUSSION. 



President Farrand— Now, gentlemen, you have heard an interesting 

 paper, and the way to get any benefit out of a meeting of this kind is 

 by every one taking part; coming here with a definite purpose of telling 

 your experience and getting the other man to tell his. Thirty-five years 

 of experience means something. Those who are just starting in new 

 at the business have many things to learn, run up against many problems 

 difficult of solution, so when you have such a good opportunity, do not fail 

 to take advantage of the suggestions, advice and instruction that Mr. 

 HaAvIey can give. Mr. Hawley will be pleased to answer anything con- 

 cerning his work. 



Mr. Smeltzer — One thing Mr. Hawley said in his address that Mason 

 county led any other county in quality of fruit. I have looked their 

 fruit exhibit over and must acknowledge that it is fine, but there are 

 other counties in Michigan that produce fruit, and such statements, 

 which are sometimes made by agents gives room for argument. There 

 is a little matter I wish to refer to here, however, and it was said to 

 me in this city yesterday, that farmers were not as bright as other men, 

 or men in some other business, and this idea prevails in many sections, 

 but I am sure that if the gentleman who made this sneering remark 

 could have heard this paper read he would have changed his opinion. 



I would like to ask one question, Mr. Hawley. If you were going to 

 plant an orchard of say seventy-five to one hundred acres, with suitable 

 soil, etc., Avhat variety of apple would you plant for a commercial 

 orchard? In other words, what would be your judgment as to investing 

 in an orchard of this size, and what varieties would you put in it? 



Mr. Hawley — First, I want to say that it is a poor stick of a man who 

 Avon't boost for his own county. I like to stand up for my own, and we 

 should all do this, but of course, we must have something to stand up 

 for. We have that here in Mason county. 



But to the question : If I were a young man, just starting, I should 

 put out an apple orchard just as quickly as possible. As to the varieties, 

 that is a hard question to answer. Much depends upon the location, the 

 requirements of the markets, etc., but there are certain varieties for 

 which there is a demand, no matter where the market, and they always 

 command the best prices. The Jonathan, for instance, is a good selling 

 apple. I sold my Jonathans for |5.50 per barrel on the Chicago market, 

 but of course they were apples. How did I do that? By first making 

 a reputation, and don't forget that your reputation is just what your fruit 

 is. I have shipped to the same house for six or seven years. Then, I 

 have always tried to keep my eyes open to learn from others. I gathered 

 many valuable ideas from the packers sent to pack the fruit in orchards 

 I sold to buyers, and I have got to where the report on my shipments 

 is that the pack is perfect. Well, as I was saying, the Chicago market 

 especially demands Jonathans and it also demands the Grimes' Golden. 



