PROCEEDINGS OP THE ANNUAL MEETING. 261 



its movements are slow. Nearly every space of cold storage is occupied, 

 the property of men who believe in an advance of prices. Most of the 

 apples in storage are there at a cost of about |1 per barrel, and some over 

 that price, and most of these apples are owned by men who make it their 

 business, and certainly almost know the future of the trade. Apples do 

 not appear scarce, from a trip through South Water-st., but my conclu- 

 sions as to the future have been based upon estimated reports and as 

 many apple-men look at it. 



Pardon this digression. I am not a reformer nor an advocate of new 

 and untried ecouomic schemes. However, it does seem apparent to me 

 that the producer should have something to do with making a price on 

 his product. All other lines of business are so arranged, or they ''shut 

 up shop". As it is now, the middle-man, or rather, the speculative inter- 

 est, governs that important part, and when they continue to "bear" the 

 market, down it goes, and these periods of "over-supply" and "large sup- 

 plies" occur at exactly the time when the average producer figures to pay 

 for the cost of his crop, and seldom does he figure on any profit, for his 

 experience teaches him to "clear himself" after the year's hard work, and 

 pay his taxes and store bills, to commence again another year. Don't 

 infer that T am one of these "calamity howlers", but this view of affairs 

 of this kind seems apparent and it admits of solution. 



After viewing the apple crop of this season, and understanding the 

 difficulties encountered, it certainly will result beneficially to any inter- 

 ested observer, as an experience that should result as a practical object 

 lesson. "Experience is our best teacher", but, as m^^ father often said, 

 "don't pay too high for it". 



I have faith in apple culture as a source of profit, and when we compare 

 this year's fruit prices (all included) it certainly has much to commend 

 it even at these extremely low prices. 



"Work without hope drawls nectar in a sieve, and hope without an 

 object can not live." 



BY ME. S. B. SMITH OF GRAND KAPIDS. 



The apple has been styled "The king of fruits", evidently because of 

 its pre-eminent excellence. It has an extended history, originating in 

 the temperate portions of Europe and Asia, cultivated by the Komans, 

 passing thence into this country, and has become a staple product among 

 fruits in all temperate climates. It has had its past, it has its present, 

 and will have its future. As the present exceeds the past so the fuiure 

 will exceed the present. It has so many adaptations to the wants of men, 

 it can not be dispensed with. Because of this, it has a prominent place 

 in our markets, and is reckoned as one of the many crops of the country. 

 Its history has been varied, and likely will be in the future. All earthly 

 things fluctuate. It has had its periods of brilliant sunshine and gloomy 

 shadow. For several years the apple crop has been a partial or total 

 failure. 



The peach has seemed to dispute its right to the crown and would take 

 from it the sceptre of fruit sovereignty. Some fruitgrowers liave dug up 



