356 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



their circumstances. Living isolated, as their business makes it incumbent upon them 

 to do, has made them the best of prey for all kinds of sharpers, under the present sys- 

 tem of distribution. 



Fruitgrowers of California have an organization known as the California Fruit Union, 

 that is reported as having accomplished a great deal of valuable work in the interest of 

 its members. One of the most important results of this organization and one of impDr- 

 tance to fruitgrowers of Michigan and the east has been the placing of California fruit 

 in all the principal markets of the country — aresultthat was thought impossible twenty 

 years ago and perhaps never could have been accomplished, except through and by th« 

 aid and cooperation among growers and shippers. 



Another important accomplishment of this union has been the introduction andestab- - 

 lishmentof the auction system of selling their fruit in all the principal markets through- 

 out the country. I am informed that this plan of selling has proved so satisfactory that 

 all California fruit is now sold in this way. 



If the auction system of selling fruit possesses the merits claimed for it by those who 

 have had experience, fruitgrowers of Michigan should lose no time in arranging for sel- 

 ing their fruit in this way. I am fully confident however, that nothing can be accom- 

 plished in this direction, no matter how desirable, except by the cooperation of a large 

 per cent, of all the growers and shippers. 



In conclusion I will say that while I have no special plan to advocate or recommend, I 

 believe fruitgrowers ought to be able to agree upon someplan that would give promise of 

 better results at a less expense than the system now in use for selling their fruit. 



Mr. Hinman wished to see more encouragement to buyers to come here 

 and buy our fruit at our orchards. He had sold his fruit at Weed's dock 

 for $1.25 per bushel, not including the baskets. 



Mr. Wiley spoke of the decline in the value of our fruit, of over one half 

 in ten years, and said that the charge of one cent per basket, for cartage, 

 was in his opinion not much better than robbery, yet he would not ask any 

 man or company to do business at a loss. Dockage was at one time two 

 cents per basket, but had been brought down to one cent. 



Mr. HuTCHiNS thought Mr. Hinman had hit it right when he said our 

 fruit did not compare well with the California fruit, on the market, and 

 advised adoption of the California plan of cooperation and the putting up 

 of fruit in better condition or a better quality of fruit. 



Mr. Wadsworth spoke in favor of shijjping fruit by rail altogether, as 

 there is so much trouble in use of the bad harbor. 



Mr. Wiley replied that competition between the railway and the boata 

 was what had brought rates down where they are, and is the only thing that 

 will keep them there; at least, it is the only thing we can depend upon. 



APRIL MEETING. 



The April meeting was held at Douglas and several members reported 

 that they noticed in trimming their peach orchards, much dead wood had 

 accumulated, probably caused from the unfavorable season last year, curl 

 leaf, etc. 



The president said there were two subjects of considerable importance, 

 that should come before the meeting — One being the yellows; the other^ 

 " What shall we do to make a creditable showing at the Columbian Exhi- 

 bition?" Mr. A. Hamilton has been appointed a member of the State 

 World's Fair commission for Michigan, in place of Hon. D. W. Wilbt, 

 who had been for some time in ill health. 



Mr. Hamilton said there was no feasible plan as yet adopted, as there 

 was no fund to work with, and what was done would probably be in the 

 way of both in work and specimens for exhibition. 



