PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 139 



UNIFORMITY OF PACKAGES— THE NEW AMERICAN FRUITGROWERS' 



UNION. 



BY HON. R. D. GRAHAM OF GRAND RAPIDS. 



For the 20th of May was called a meeting of delegates from the various 

 states and from the provinces of Canada, to assemble in Chicago for the 

 purpose of organizing a National or American Fruitgrowers convention. 

 1 was sent as a delegate from the (Irand Eapids Fruitgrowers association. 

 Those present represented, I think, nine states; California was repre- 

 sented — that is, southern California; the Orangegrowers' exchange was 

 represented by their general agent ; the Oregon Fruitgrowers' union was 

 represented, and the Chautauqua (xrapegrowers' association; Illinois had 

 two representatives, Kentucky one, Missouri was represented, and Michi- 

 gan. Georgia was also represented, by Mr. John B. Cunningham, who 

 was the oi'iginator of this movement. 



In Georgia they have a union handling practically all the fruit of the 

 state; in Oregon the same; in southern California the union handles the 

 fruit of that section; the Kentucky people are with the Georgia and 

 Missouri people. Their fruit has to go long distances, they have long 

 roads over which to carry, making the expense something of which we 

 know almost nothing. 



The nuitter was discussed pro and con., showing the advantages of 

 their local organizations. We had several papers on the different topics, 

 and I took more or less part in the discussion, of course; but though we 

 finally organized the association, I could see no great advantage to the 

 Michigan peoi)le in joining it. It is, by the way, an association of asso- 

 ciations. Each state or province is eligible to membership; not local 

 associations, simply state or provincial associations can become members. 



The circumstances of fruitgrowers here in ^lichigan are very different 

 from those of the majority. We are located between the best markets 

 in the world — Chicago and the great northwest on the one hand, and the 

 east and south on the other. With the states I have mentioned it is 

 differ(Mit. The gentleman rei)resenting California said he handled GOO 

 carloads of fruit for that association. Mr. Fay of the ( 'hautauijua ( Jrape- 

 growers' association said he handled 100 carloads of grapes in one year 

 for that association. The idea of the National association was to make 

 something like a clearing-house for all local and auxiliary associations 

 to report to. (Here Mr. (Jraliam read a letter fiom ]Mr. Cunningham, 

 describing part of the work.) 



It seemed to me all the way through this meeting that it would be far 

 better policy for the ^lichigan dealers to organize themselves into one 

 strong association for self j)i-<)tecti()n, but i)erhai>s I may be wrong. 



In regard to uniformity of packages, the expression, it seems to me, 

 admits of a great many constructions. What is meant by nnifoniiity of 

 packages? Is it that api)le barrels shall all be of one size? I should 

 presume that is what it ui<>aut, not that peaches should all be shipped 



