GENERAL HISTORY. 79 



"breaking the skiu, aud then packing them away to prevent farther exposure 

 to the air." 



" Marketing Fruits " catne up for discussion upon the report of T. T, Lyon, 

 as chairman of a committee appointed at the annual meeting to report at 

 this time. 



The substance of Mr. Lyon's share of the report is contained in seven 

 rules, as follows : — 



1. Every package of fruit intended for market should be so put up as not to mislead 

 the buyer as to its actual quality, 



2. The grades of fruit, as to size, should each have its distinguisliing mark, as, for in- 

 stance, the lowest may be known as x, and others xx, xxx, etc., and as far as practi- 

 cable, the name of the variety should appear upon each package. 



3. The name of the packer (or other responsible person; should be so placed upon each 

 package, in connection with the designation of the grade, that the fruit cannot be re- 

 packed, or otherwise tampered with, without defacing such name and designation, or, 

 in some manner, betraying the fact of such interference. 



4. Smaller shippers, at least, should so far associate their operations as to enable 

 them to employ a common brand or trade mark, and by so doing secure a recognized 

 standing in their chosen markets. 



5. Each locality (or if practicable, association of localities), should estabUsh, at the 

 point to which their shipments are to be principally sent, a depot for the same, or 

 otherwise select a commission house or an association of houses, to which all their 

 shipments shall be consigned, such arrangement to continue during the season, and 

 from year to year, unless essential considerations shall compel a change. 



6. Shippers should adhere strictly to the established preferences of their chosen mar- 

 kets as to the character and size of the packages to be employed. 



7. The ripeness of fruit, when packed, should depend upon the length of time it is to 

 be upon the road, the character of the transportation and the amount of handling to 

 which it is to be subjected. Except in the case of pears, it should be as nearly ripe as 

 shall be consistent with the ability to bear the treatment to which it is to be subjected. 



John Whittlesey, of St. Joseph, Joseph Sterling, of Monroe, J. G-. Eams- 

 dell, of Traverse City, members of the committee, together with B. Grott, of 

 Arkona, Canada, each submitted suggestions on the subject at greater or less 

 length. 



Mr. Williams inquired how, in accordance with rule 3, the name could be 

 so attached that the opening of the package will deface it. 



The reply was by using it as a fastening (similarly to the use of internal 

 revenue stamps). 



S. H. Commgs, of St. Joseph, followed with an excellent, practical and ex- 

 haustive paper on " Cranberry Culture for Michigan," in which reference is 

 made to the extent and present condition of this interest in Wisconsin, with 

 some comparisons of the conditions of the two localities. 



Jj. L. Lance, of Allegan county, next considered the question, " What kills 

 our Peach Trees," which he thought due to continuous drafts of extremely 

 cold air. 



The discussion following elicited other opinions, but nothing tangible was 

 presented. 



Emmons Buel, of Kalamazoo, opened the Thursday evening session with a 

 paper on " Gathering and Preserving Winter Apples." He recommended 



