FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 83 



THE NEW SULZER APPLE LAW. 



It. G. PHILLIPS, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : It gives me a great deal of 

 pleasure to be here today, even though it is a rainy day, and for several 

 reasons: First, I am. always willing to do anything for your good 

 Secretary, Mr. Bassett, and for Prof. Eustace, one of the members of 

 your Agricultural College staff; and then, these and other gentlemen 

 have said so many things about your good fellowship, your energy and 

 intelligence, that I felt that it would be a real pleasure to speak to 

 you ; and then further, because I have the interests of better packing 

 very much at heart. 



Now as to the intelligence of Grand Rapids, there is no question. 

 There must be something about the air that stimulates an abnormal 

 mental development. I received an illustration of it this morning. T 

 went into a barber shop to get shaved, and the man behind the razor 

 had evidently been out a little late the night before, for his hand 

 trembled a good deal, and before he had fairly begun, he cut me under 

 my chin. I jumped out of my chair, and began to read him a temper- 

 ance lecture. I said to him, "George, this is an awful thing — you can 

 see the evil and influence of strong drink." Quick as a flash, he answer- 

 ed back, "Yes, boss, it sure does make the face tender." (Laughter.) 



You can not beat that outside of Grand Rapids. I said to myself, 

 "This place is altogether too keen for me. I had better take the next 

 train back for Rochester." But then I remember that Prof. Eustace 

 told me that I might go for you just as hard as I pleased on the sub- 

 ject of packing apples, but I argued with myself that I was a long 

 way from home, and I was in something the same frame of mind as the 

 dear old sister, who every time her pastor mentioned the name of the 

 devil, she would bow her head. He stood it as long as lie could, for it 

 worked on his nerves. Then he went to her and inquired the reason 

 why she did it, and her reply was: "Yes, you are right — I do bow my 

 head when you mention the devil's name, and what is more, I am 

 going to keep right on doing it — we can not be too careful, for you 

 can never tell what will happen." (Laughter.) But there is one thing 

 that I will not be careful about, and that is, the condemnation of the 

 reprehensible methods of packing apples, practiced by so many people. 



The packing of apples is always a delicate matter. Like all subjects 

 involving sin and wickedness, people prefer to hear about the other 

 fellow's crimes, rather than their own. Every time I talk on this 

 question I know just how a minister feels when he tries to arouse 

 his congregation to the error of their ways. On the one hand he has his 

 duty to perform and on the other are some of the pillars of the church 

 who are likely to reduce his salary if he isn't careful. I have this ad- 

 vantage, however, I am not running for office and there is no one to 

 reduce my salary. But even if there were, there is one thing con- 

 cerning which I will not be careful of condemning to the limit of 

 human speech, and that is reprehensible methods of packing which 



