134 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Fruit Growing Association would be interesting to you. Tiiey had an 

 association in that county. Well, they took in all the surrounding 

 counties that wanted to come in, and they charged a fee of $10, so that 

 each one who came into it would feel an interest in it ; and when they 

 sent off fruit it was all sent through that one man or agent ; each man 

 branded nis fruit, or his boxes, so they could trace it, and now their 

 experience is that they are getting more out of their fruit than they 

 could get in any other way ; they save more time, more trouble and get 

 more for it. It is a part of the business of this association to learn of 

 the reliability of commission merchants, and they have saved a great 

 deal by consigning only to those men who are known to be honest, 

 where before they had consigned to a great many who were absolute 

 scoundrels. The co-operation is absolutely essential to success, and 

 the quicker you can get this co-operation and the quicker you can ap- 

 point a man to look after it, the quicker you can have success. 



Mr. Gilbert — It seems to me that we are about to pass over this 

 question without any definite action, and while there has been a move 

 made for the perfection of a union for the berry-growers, yet there has 

 been nothing done for the benetit of the peach-growers, and if we do 

 anything at all to benetit us for our peaches, it must be done at once^ 

 and if it is not putting the matter too strong I would like to have you 

 ask for a rising vote of all the peach-growers in this room who are in 

 favor of cooperation, and who are willing to say that for one year they 

 will enter this and will go together and formulate plans aad arrange 

 this matter as best we can, and, if necessary, put ourselves under bond 

 to stay with the association for at least one year, and see what we can 

 do, and set a time for the meeting and get together and do it. 



Mr. I would like to amend that and say fruit-growers in- 

 stead of peach-growers. 



Mr. Evans — I think Mr. Van Houten has given us a good sugges- 

 tion, and I think if that motion can be amended a little further it would 

 be better. I am in favor of a $10 fee and $40 forfeit; that is, put up 

 $40 to be forfeited in case of withdrawal, and have no bond about it? 

 let the fee be $10 and the forfeit $40, making $50 in all ; the $10 fee to 

 go as working capital. Now, I will comply with Mr. Gilbert's request^ 

 and all fruit-growers who are in favor of this co-operation and in favor 

 of organization and willing to co-operate afterwards, please rise to 

 your feet and stand until you are counted ; we will say for the State of 

 Missouri, including the border of Arkansas. 



Fifteen stood. 



After adjournment, the peach-growers affected a temporary organi- 

 zation, with J. C. Evans as president, and S. W. Gilbert as secretary. 



