544 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



makes the price of the early city trade. A few large receivers of consigned goods get 

 the fruit from individual growers, who have established a reputation, and hold the 

 goods for their regular city trade. The small receivers have their regular customers, 

 but sell to shippers if possible, and all are often obliged to close out to peddlers and 

 canners at prices barely sufficient to pay charges. In view of these conditions, can 

 Michigan fruitgrowers devise methods by which their fruits may be widely distributed 

 at less expense, a surplus utilized, and a better and more confidential understanding 

 established between growers and dealers? 



I can not assume to answer these questions in full detail, but allow me to suggest that 

 the several fruitgrowing societies in western Michigan form business associations at 

 their principal shipping points, with paid officials sufficient to grade and sell all fruit 

 which can be sold at such points at fair prices. Ship in full car lots to points outside 

 of Chicago, upon advice of your own agents at those places; utilize a surplus of inferior 

 or " off " stock by canning or evaporating at home. Let each organization place a resi- 

 dent agent in Chicago whose duties shall be looking after the handling and delivery of 

 fruits from their own locality, advising growers at 2 p. m. of each day by telegraph of 

 the conditions and prospects of the markets, the dispatches to be printed in the after- 

 noon paper or displayed upon bulletin boards. Let your agents be quiet, unobtrusive 

 gentlemen, who will be en rapport with transportation officials and the leading com- 

 mission men, and ready at all times to give them full information regarding immediate 

 or future shipments. You will require a resident agent in Milwaukee and one in 

 St. Paul and Minneapolis, who will give daily information to all the fruit exchanges in 

 Michigan regarding the conditions and requirements of those markets. [As I have 

 mentioned fruit exchanges, I wish to say in answer to many queries, that the Michigan 

 Fruit Exchange is not dead; it was crushed by the ponderous weight of its manage- 

 ment and the unrequited efforts of its executive board, but it still lives and only awaits 

 the federation and co-operation of other societies to complete its resuscitation.] 



If each locality preferred to act independent of others, it could be done; but the 

 co-operation of the several executive boards to formulate business methods whereby 

 unity of action will be facilitated will be of much importance, and the interchange of 

 information by agents regarding the daily movement and placing of fruits will be 

 indispensable. Agents should be paid by pro rata assessments on fruit shipments, and 

 all commission rebates made to large consigners should recur pro rata to shippers. 



I will not presume to make further suggestions; but believing that the time has 

 arrived when more economical and comprehensive methods for marketing fruits are 

 required by the large interests involved in fruitgrowing in Michigan, I leave the 

 subject to younger hands and wiser heads. 



Mr. Mead, of committee on packages, asked whether the society wanted 

 the committee to understand that the society was going to use full quart 

 packages. 



Mr. Webster offered this resolution: "Resolved, That we use the full 

 quart this year." 



Mr. S. H. Comings spoke in favor of the resolution. 



Mr. Woodruff said that he had for four years tried full quarts, but 

 found that the shippers of " snide " packages got as much as he did. 



S. Handy: I do not believe in passing a resolution that you do not 

 intend to live up to. If a majority would use full quarts, I think it 

 would be a good thing to do. 



Mr. Van Brunt: To pass this resolution would be to step on the toes 

 of the package manufacturers. 



Mr. Webster : No other word expresses so much contempt as the word 

 " snide." I am opposed to " snide " packages. There is too much "snide" 

 in everything. We are getting to be a " snide " set. I am in favor of an 

 honest package. 



Mr. Pixley: If we pass this, what will you do with the " snide" pack- 

 ages now manufactured? 



Mr. Morrill: There will be no trouble about getting full quart pack- 

 ages if you want them. Twenty-four hours' notice would be sufficient. 



