222 State Horticultural Society. 



In an orchard where we made two grades it cost twenty cents per 

 barrel. We picked out the No. 2 grade and placed in the barrels, 

 running the rest over the tables. 



Mr. Todd — Regarding Mr. Goodman's question of the cost of 

 packing, I kept a close account of all expenses this year. Wanted 

 apples to net one dollar per barrel. The cost was 19 cents. Had to 

 haul one mile. Had lots of No. 2, but did not pack them. We 

 packed only the No. 1 fruit, but had to handle lots of No. 2 fruit. 

 The culls looked good, but on examination they were not. Had 65 

 to 70 per cent good apples. The No. 2s were good enough, but 

 the general crop was so large thought best not to pack them. 

 Ground them up into vinegar. Was satisfied if averaged ten bar- 

 rels to a man picking. 



HOW TO MAKE AN APPLE ORCHARD PROFITABLE. 



(By R. K. Thompson, Beaman, Mo.) 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



I can't conceive of a subject or question of more vital interest 

 to horticulturists than the one assigned me, "How to Make an Ap- 

 ple Orchard Profitable." And in view of the importance of the 

 subject, it seems to me that it would have been wise on the part 

 of the committee to have assigned this subject to a member of more 

 experience and one who had been more decidedly successful in the 

 business than myself. However, as there is no appeal from the 

 action of the committee, and as I have formed some very decided 

 opinions from my own observations and experience in handling an 

 apple orchard, I should state these opinions, realizing that I myself 

 have much to learn, at the same time hoping that in your criti- 

 cisms and discussions of the same, error, if any, may be eliminated 

 and truth may be made so clear that we all may be benefited. And 

 I think I may state here, without fear of contradiction, that hor- 

 ticulturists, as well as other people, have an eye to the profits of 

 their business; and while we may derive great pleasure from our 

 work, still, if there was no profit to be reaped from an orchard, 

 loaded with luscious fruit, I am free to confess that fruit growing 

 would lose half its charms. 



But to the question, "How Shall We Make an Apple Orchard 

 Profitable?" Well, to begin at the beginning, if you have decided 

 to plant out an orchard, the first step is to select a location. Now 



