216 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



ing a smooth talker among tbem, and one hundred dollars in cash, for 

 they would not stick together. The immense setting of trees means that 

 extra care and honest}^ must be used in packing, or our fruit will be left 

 on our hands. This was demonstrated by the fact that the Chautauqua 

 and Ohio brands of fruit sell better in the western markets, and bring 

 from three to five cents better price, than Michigan fruit. Thorougli or- 

 ganization and honest packing of fruit will do away with nearly evt^ry 

 trouble of the Michigan fruitgrower. 



CO-OPERATIVE PACKING AND SALES. 



The remarks of Mr. Morrill made a deep impression upon those members- 

 who heard him, and they were in a good frame of mind to listen to the 

 remarks of Mr. W. H. Owen of Catawba Island, O. He said: 



"Our island contains about 3,000 acres of orchard and our organization 

 was effected about ten years ago. Six years ago we conceived the idea 

 of establishing a central packinghouse, which has been in use since with= 

 much better results than formerly. The fruit is delivered between 7 a. ui. 

 and 7 p. m., is sorted by one set of packers, who work by the hour, and do 

 not stop work for the night until the floor is cleared of fruit. Our pack- 

 ages are guaranteed to contain honest fruit and the same all through. We 

 grade into four grades, which are called X, XX, XXX, and Fancy. After 

 receiving one shipment, buyers become acquainted with the grades and- 

 telegraph for prices and understand just what they will get. This saves 

 them the trouble and expense of coming to us to buy in person. We sell 

 to retail grocers direct and to jobbers, look up the smaller markets and 

 keep out of the larger ones which are usually glutted. We consign to com- 

 mission men very seldom. We pack in peck, half-bushel, and bushel' 

 baskets, as fifth baskets are not wanted in the eastern markets. 



We are organized with a capital stock of |10,000, but only so much 

 of it has been jjaid in as is necessary for the plant and a working capital. 

 We buy all the baskets and other supplies needed, and pay all expenses; 

 by so doing we get cheaper transportation rates and lower prices on every- 

 thing. Each member has the price set on the fruit he delivers at end of 

 each day. The average net price received for the different grades last 

 year was as follows: X, fifty- two cents per bushel; XX, sixty-five cents 

 per bushel; XXX, eighty-three and a half cents per bushel; Fancy, |1.12 

 per bushel, making the average net price received for all the grades, sixty- 

 five cents per bushel. We insist that our members must pick their fruit 

 and deliver it in good condition, or it is sold separate and not put in with 

 the regular shipments. We handle berries of all kinds, also, but we do 

 not guarantee these, as we do not put them up ourselves. 



Mr. Owen received the undivided attention of those present, and many 

 questions were given him. It was reported by Mr. Hull of Shelby that 

 they were organized under the same system at Shelby, and Mr. Wiley re- 

 marked that there is no question but we have planted as much as we ought 

 without arranging for a better marketing system. 



MARKETING FRUIT. 



Mr. D, W. Wiley of Douglas spoke on this topic. He thought there were 

 not less than four million trees in western Michigan, producing thirty 

 million fifth-baskets of peaches. In the same territory there had been fully 



