WINTER MEETING, 1877. 41 



in tlie direction in wliicli I am now laboring it lias thus fur failed to attract 

 mncli attention. 



In view of the rapid increase of our old enemies, and the advent of many 

 new ones, our pros})ects are not as bright as we could wish, but we liave one 

 thing to encourage us in our warfare. We have a skillful (Jeneral in tlie field, 

 who has been a spy in the camp of our enemies for years. lie has examined 

 and studied their fortifications, has become acquainted with their habits, and 

 discovered their weak points, and has placed us in a position that assures us of 

 a complete victory, if we only advance in solid column to the attack, and not 

 waver in pushing our advantages until the victory is complete. Those that 

 are not fully posted as to the "order of the day," or methods of attack, can 

 obtain further information by attending the meetings of our State Pomological 

 Society, where our General may usually be found explaining our enemies' weak 

 points and the best methods of attack, or they can address him at the Agricul- 

 tural College, Lansing, Mich. His name — Prof. A. J. Cook. 



Perhaps it may be tliought strange that I say little or nothing about the dif- 

 ferent methods of packing fruit and their comparative advantages. This is of 

 little consequence in comparison with the importance of the principle that I am 

 trying to nnike clear. In the first place we have to convince people that a 

 certain course will pay best, then they will give their attention to the ways and 

 means. For this reason I have confined myself mostly to the practical means 

 of reducing the percent, of expenses in marketing. Some may think that I 

 have drawn the subject rather strong, but I have been very careful about that, 

 for I know that I have understated many of my points. The best results 

 claimed in the apple sales has 53 per cent net to 4? expenses. I have sold ap- 

 ples in Chicago that netted me 72 per cent to expenses 28. 



The best results claimed in peaches was GO per cent net, to 40 per cent 

 expenses. My book for last season shows 67 per cent net to 33 per cent of 

 expenses in numy sales. I consider it bad policy to overstate any case, though 

 it is very common where it is considered necessary to make a strong point; but 

 I have as strong points as I wish, and I do not propose to weaken my position 

 by having anything to take back. 



GENERAL HIXTS. 



It will generally prove advantageous to sell your fruit at home when you can 

 get a fair price, thereby saving freight, co^^iii^ission and risk. If you pack it 

 yourself, put up nothing but good fruit. 



Don't send your poor fruit to market, sell it at home, dry or can it, or feed 

 it out rather than send it away. Poor fruit injures the market much more than 

 the same amount of good, especially when there is a full supply. Remember 

 particularly that every fruit tree set out and not properly cared for adds to your 

 insect enemies, and increases the diflficultv of raising good fruit. Don't foro-et 

 that we already have too much poor fruit. 



I consider this subject of the utmost importance to the fruit growers of the 

 whole countr}^ and if my poor effort serves to attract the attention of those 

 better able to do it justice, I shall feel amply repaid for my labor in this 

 direction. 



Gentlemen, the world moves. Beauty and the love of the beautiful are at a 

 premium. Beauty adds to the market value of quality and excellence. If fruit 

 growers can be made to realize this in its full significance and act in accord- 

 ance with its teachings, they will find their reward where they can count it. 

 6 



