72 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



natural drop. To summarize then to secure protection to the tree from 

 mechanical injury, to gain in size, color and general quality of fruit, 

 to assist in the ease and speed of picking and packing, to offer a possi- 

 ble aid towards annual bearing and incidentally to boost Michigan 

 horticulture at a profit to everyone concerned. 



BUSINESS PRINCIPLES IN HORTICULTURE. 



H. A. SCHUYLER, ADRIAN. 



The application of business principles in any concern is limited to 

 their practical value. It is doubtful if any one can afford to practice 

 methods that are not of practical value. 



In locating for horticulture, several questions will appear. Can one 

 afford to sacrifice easy access to market for good soil, or will it be 

 better to sacrifice the good soil for poorer soil closer to market? Gen- 

 erally a good site and market are to be desired. The fruit grower on 

 a small place has many advantages over one on a larger area. Maximum 

 area only should be under operation affording an amount of work such 

 as pruning, cultivating, spraying, etc., that can be done well and on 

 time. If the work is not done on time there is no use doing it at all. 



The use of fertilizers is also a vital question. How far can it be 

 used and allow for profit? There are many instances where an added 

 amount of fertilizer adds to the yield of fruit, but the extra amount 

 of fruit does not begin to pay for the extra application and work. The 

 best fertilizers for use can only be ascertained by practical analysis. 

 A benefit in one case may be a damage in another. 



Again it is questionable if other than the best trees shall be set. A 

 cheaper grade might do as well but the risk is too great. Only varie- 

 ties suited for the location should be set, and not too many of these. 



Tillage is the basis of success in horticulture and therefore a vital 

 factor. However there are some important things to consider in this 

 operation. 1. The implements to use. There are some which will keep 

 twice as much ground in a good state of cultivation as others with the 

 same amount of energy. Also if as good results can be obtained with 

 five operations as with ten, why do the extra work? 



The same business methods apply in all parts of the work, thinning, 

 picking, packing and marketing. 



In the end the fruit should be put on the market in the best possible 

 shape, a finished product and one of which to be proud. 



Observation shows us that the merchant and dealer have found the 

 way to success only by strict application of principles beneficial to their 

 business and the horticulturist is finding the same true. 



Let us not stop with the methods now in vogue, but let us put forward 

 every effort to make Michigan a leading state in horticulture. 



