204 State Horticultural Society. 



ferences between markets on paper in the winter and the actual re- 

 turns in June that we naturally think of two certain attractions on the 

 Pike — "Creation" and "Hereafter," and now after a few yearly repeti- 

 tions of this experience, with its sad awakening the commission man's 

 rosy letter does not awaken in the breast of the strawberry grower 

 the enthusiasm it formerly did. To say that results have been far 

 from satisfactory is putting it very mildly. I once heard an eminent 

 surgeon describe what he termed a very perfect and successful sur- 

 gical operation. The operation was said with some emphasis to have 

 been a complete success — after a respectful silence in deference to the 

 greatness and skill of the operator, I asked with some temerity what 

 became of the patient. Oh, said the surgeon, he died, but the opera- 

 tion was successful. Sometimes when reading these attractive letters 

 I have felt somehoAV like the operation of marketing the fruit may 

 have been successful enough, but the grower occupied the position 

 of the unfortunate patient : and that with our present mode of market- 

 ing the crop the success of the plan is manifestly to the advantage 

 of the fellow at the other end of the line. 



TWO SIDES TO THE QUESTION. 



There are toO' many $2.50 and $3.00 quotations which finally wind 

 up with a tardy remittance to the grower of 50c to 90c per crate. 

 This result, however, is not always the fault of the firm to whom the 

 shipment is made. There are at least two sides to all questions, and 

 the strawberry question is no exception to the rule. If we intend 

 to grow a surplus for commercial shipment, we must plant such 

 varieties as are known to be large, uniform in size, good color and 

 firm enough to carry well. They must be picked at the proper time, 

 and honestly crated. If we start the crate tO' market with the good 

 ones on top and the poor ones covered up, we invite the suspicion 

 of the commission man and he at once loses any trace of faith in our 

 integrity, and we may rest assured that our example will be followed 

 by him in his future dealing with us. We can not expect the com- 

 mission m.an to deal honestly with us if we paint the package all 

 over and all through with dishonesty in glaring letters. He will 

 certainly go us one better. The worst feature, however, of this 

 manner of packing is the fact that it is unfair to the consumer. If 

 we defraud the consumer (who, by the way, usually pays high enough 

 for our goods), we certainly deserve the skinning which the man in 

 between sometimes gives us. The old proverb that honesty is the 

 best policy is certainly as true in this, as in any other case. Our 



