NOTES CONCERNING SISTER STATE SOCIETIES. 279 



CALIFORNIA FRUIT-GROWERS. 



In California they have a Horticultural Society and a Board of Horticulture. 

 Just how two associations can be managed harmoniously in the same State 

 does not become apparent at this distance; but from an elaborate report sent 

 us by Secretary A. H. Webb it is certain that the last convention of the two 

 organizations, held in Sacramento, November 15-20, was a great meeting. 

 The papers and discussions were interesting and instructive. 



Inasmuch as we cannot give place to its proceedings, the following resolu- 

 tions, adopted by the convention and which were discussed for an entire day, 

 and which embody the most progressive steps taken by the horticulturists of 

 California during the year, are giveu in full : 



Resolved, That the fruit-growers of California, assembled in State convention, do 

 hereby call the attention of the California railroad authorities to the present serious 

 condition of affairs in the fruit industry, and express the hope that the action of this 

 convention may awaken a deeper interest on their part in the crisis at hand. It is to be 

 trusted that they realize as fully as we do that fruit-growing, so far as it lies in the 

 power of transportation companies, should be made a profitable industry. It is useless to 

 look for much desirable emigration so long as fruit culture, which has now become one 

 of our chief industries, does not, with the closest attention, yield a living. Fruit carry- 

 ing should be looked upon by California transportation companies as nails are regarded 

 by the hardware merchant, calico by the dry goods trade, and flour and sugar by the 

 grocer. In other words, fruit should be treated by the railroads of this coast not as a- 

 fancy article, to be made to bear a fancy tariff, but as a leading staple, worthy to be 

 transported at the least possible cost. 



Resolved, That a committee of ten growers and shippers be appointed by this conven- 

 tion to lay a copy of these resolutions before the railroad authorities and ask : First, 

 that the present restrictions be so modified that ten carloads or less shall constitute a 

 $300-rate fruit train, that the rate upon cars by passenger trains be $400 per car, and 

 that the slow freight rate be $200 per car; second, that the rate to such Eastern 

 points as New York, Philadelphia and Boston be made not to exceed $400 per oar; 

 third, that passenger time be guaranteed ; and, fourth, that a sufficient number of cars 

 suitable for the fruit-carrying trade be provided. Be it further 



Resolved, That the fruit-growers assembled in State convention do hereby recom- 

 mend to the California Fruit Union that at its next annual meeting, to take place Janu- 

 ary 19, 1887, the by-laws of that association be modified so as to embrace the following 

 resolutions, namely : First, that all persons raising or shipping fruits for Eastern mar- 

 kets be eligible to membership. • 



Resolved, That such association, through its management, appoint a commissioned 

 agent in every Eastern city that can use a carload or more of California fruits at a time, 

 and that the management, by compiling such facts and statistics as may be at their 

 command, arrange a table of distribution, subject to such changes and modifications as 

 the market may from time to time demand ; and it shall become the duty of the gen- 

 eral manager of such fruit to regulate the distribution of all fruits strictly in accordance 

 with such provisions. 



Resolved, That said management also establish regulations to control the quality, the 

 weight and the manner of packing all fruits offered for Eastern shipment, and that its 

 inspectors reject such fruits submitted for shipment as do not come up to the established 

 requirements. 



Resolved, That the Eastern agents be instructed to sell all fruits which may be con- 

 signed to them by the exchange, by auction, at public trade sales, and in no other way, 

 the auctioneers' charges to be paid out or the commissions allowed these agents. 



Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention that all subscribers to the stock of 

 the California Fruit Union should contract with the other subscribers that they will not 



