Summer Meeting. 55 



The interests of the apple grower and the apple shipper are mutual, 

 and it behooves both to cultivate the most intimate and friendly commer- 

 cial relations with each other. Both will make money by the operation, 

 and, although money is a side issue with the apple grower, there may 

 be times when his family and perhaps his creditors can use it. It is 

 an old saying that a good barber never shaves himself, but lets some 

 other fellow do it for him. The same rule applies to the average apple 

 grower. The apple shipper thoroughly understands the tonsorial art, 

 and is, therefore, entirely competent to shave the apple grower. And 

 considering the fact that the average apple shipper has a tender regard 

 for the 'feelings and opinions of others, and believes in the golden rule, 

 "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (provided he 

 can do the others first). I am confident that he will make a nice job of it. 



It is one thing to grow apples, and another to market them. Preach- 

 ers and poets have told us in prose and in verse of the wonders and 

 beauty of nature, in ways and manners to challenge awe and admira- 

 tion. It is therefore, not surprising that some unreasoning persons be- 

 lieve that she is solely responsible for the production of the superb 

 fruits which are being exhibited at the exposition in this good city and 

 the work of the grower is lost sight of. 



But after all, nature supplies us with very few useful or beautiful 

 things. Excepting the earth, which sustains us, the air, which we 

 breathe, and the water which we drink, there is not much else that is 

 solely due to nature. All that we own or possess is due to the appli- 

 cation of human knowledge and skill, and the conquest of labor. The 

 beautiful apples which are raised on the Ozarks, especially the Ben Davis, 

 according to a tradition among the bald knobbers down our way, were 

 originally in Asia small, dry and worthless seedlings, and used by the 

 children in playing marbles, but by and through the ingenuity and in- 

 dustry of men, and at the expense of much time and almost infinite 

 patience, you find them what they are today. 



And still the work is not done, as a horticulturist, I agree with 

 others in that the prize of an apple orchard is; a clear head, constant 

 application, eternal vigilance, a discerning eye, a bending knee and a 

 sharp knife. It takes all of these attributes with the addition of hope, 

 faith, enthusiasm and great patience to fight, in these modern times, 

 fungi diseases, codling moth, canker worm and other pests. Now add 

 to this the making, gathering and packing of the crop, and you must 

 admit that the apple grower has his hands full without looking after the 

 markets. Therefore, I hold that apple growing is a business by and in 

 itself, and the marketing the apples is also a business by and in itself. 



