PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 77 



1900, 75.100,000, and in 1910, 90.000,000. The rate of increase claimed 

 by Mulhall is twenty per cent, per decade, wliicli will give the seven 

 states named a population. of about 20^ millions in 1900 and 24 1-3 mil- 

 lions in 1910. 



This is our home market, and a home market, up to a certain limit, 

 is the best market we can have. This long ago became an American 

 axiom, and it is for us to see if possible that the railroads and boat lines 

 give us such rates as shall enable us to place our fruits at the door 

 of every one of these twenty millions within forty-eight hours after 

 picking. 



California has no home market. The whole territory west of the 

 Rocky mountains, an area twice the size of the seven states named above, 

 had a population in 1890 of only 2,690,000. Hence California is com- 

 pelled to cross vast mountain ranges, a continent, and sometimes an 

 ocean under heavy tribute before the orchardist of that state can hope 

 for reward; and Georgia looks to our northern cities to take her fruit at 

 paying prices. But, unless we can secure vastly improved facilities for 

 distribution, the great natural advantages we possess remain a constant 

 menace to the continued profits of the orchards. 



Men in their eager pursuit of wealth remind one of a flock of sheep. 

 Let one take the lead and make a success in any enterprise, and the bal- 

 ance rush blindly after. To confirm this, one has but to recall the Cali- 

 fornia gold craze of '19 or the Pennsylvania oil fields of later date, or the 

 rush for western prairie or northern and southern pine lands of quite 

 recent years; or, still later, the potato craze of 1895. Hence, I w^ould 

 suggest to those who contemplate extensive planting of new orchards, 

 be cautious; onlj-jjlant what you can care for thoroughly and make into 

 first-class shape. More net money can be made on ten acres under prime 

 care than from forty acres under neglect, and at less risk. 



Again, should we not guard against taking too sordid a view of this 

 question? Success in any enterprise that is to engage our time and 

 stud}- should not be measured alone by the standard of dollars and 

 cents. The great artist's success is not determined bj' the price he 

 may pay for his wonders upon the canvas, nor the author by the market 

 value of his books, so much as by the effect these efforts have upon those 

 who are benefited by them. When the Creator sought the most favor- 

 able conditions possible for the moral and physical well being of Adam, 

 he placed him in the Garden of Eden to care for its fruits and flowers. 

 What can be more elevating to the mind of man than coming into close 

 contact with the works of nature in field and grove, where the birds sing, 

 the flowers bloom, and the fields give forth their ripened grain and 

 golden fruits? I have viewed with pleasure and a sense of awe the vast 

 undulating prairies of the west, covered with their rank growth of wheat, 

 oats, and corn. I have enjoyed the variety and beauty of eastern land- 

 scape, and of our own southern Michigan, but never can I forget the 

 delight with which I viewed a landscape in this grand county of Oceana. 

 It was in the spring season. In the valleys were spread the dark velvet 

 green of wheat and meadow. The sun had kissed the orchards into leaf 

 and blossom. The hills in all directions were crowned with blushing 

 orchards of peach, in beautiful contrast to the snow-white bloom of the 



