146 State Horticultural Society. 



If they want fine quality alone in winter or fall apples then plant them. 

 If the demand is for shipping long distances then plant those varieties 

 that handle and keep well. 



The requisites for success are, therefore, first, porous subsoil ; 

 second, good soil ; third, varieties adapted to the soils — that is, hardy 

 and productive — fourth, varieties adapted to the markets ; fifth, prop- 

 erly caring for the orchard (cultivation) ; sixth, spraying for diseases 

 and insects ; seventh, picking, handling and packing with a guarantee 

 behind them. 



The apple industry, apple orcharding in [Missouri, in a commercial 

 way, then is only in its infancy. Not one hundredth part of the avail- 

 able good hard lands in the State have been touched, and as the 

 orchards of the east and north grow less and less each year those of 

 Missouri will grow more and more, greater and greater until we shall 

 see the most wonderful expansion of the fruit growing business that 

 it has entered our hearts to conceive of. The only limit that can be 

 made is the limit of transportation facilities and the means in the 

 hands of the railroads to handle the business. 



The location of our State is peculiarly well situated for the mark- 

 eting of all kinds of fruit. Railroad facilities are the best and lines 

 run in every direction with good connection to all points of the coun- 

 try. Apples we expect of course will go south, but are not even 

 surprised when orders are received for the shipment of hundreds of 

 crates of peaches dail}^ as far south as even Galveston and all interme- 

 diate points. Still more surprised are people tO' get orders for thou- 

 sands of crates of strawberries from the same direction. The Rail- 

 road company, the Refrigerating car companies, the Express com- 

 panies are all three of them doing their very best to distribute this 

 fruit to the best advantage so that returns will be profitable to tlie 

 fruit grower. It is a well known fact that if the fruit grower cannot 

 make some money he will soon quit the business and so if, the trans- 

 portation companies cannot help do this work to the advantage of the 

 fruit grower then both of them must lose their business. 



Berries, peaches, apples, are the three money makers from Mis- 

 souri in all directions, over all districts, under all favorable conditions 

 of soil, and may be called the universal fruits of Missouri. While the 

 grape, plum and cherry are also money makers when conditions are 

 favorable as to location, soils and adaptability, many of these fruits 

 not only find a market in the cities, but also in many of our smaller 

 towns, and here we find the very best markets obtainable. Home 

 markets are the best markets any fruit grower can find and should be 

 encouraged and fostered in every way possible. 



