FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 129 



were striving for. In doing this, we have been able to keep the price 

 down to the lowest point to all the growers. 



We have prices that we do not give out, that we do not even tell our 

 growers, and that is one thing where the grower gains by going into 

 the association. Those who join the association should have confidence 

 in the directors and the association should have such directors as the 

 members can have confidence in, and then do not hesitate to stand by 

 them to the fullest extent. 



We have been able, as I said before, to get the very best goods in 

 this way, and at the lowest market price. We have a good man who 

 has passed through Cornell, and is considered excellent authority on 

 fertilizers. In this way, we are able to have his help, which we consider 

 very fortunate. Then we have some other men who are expert in other 

 lines, and they too, help us in the same way. 



Now, as to markets, to supply. Well, ask the fellows who have been 

 there. Do you want to plant for the factory, or for local market, or for 

 long distance shipping? Of course, the more lines that we grow, the 

 better it is, for then all the eggs will not be in one basket. Then, by 

 having these large supplies of various fruits we would be able to get 

 a through rate of 66 cents to the northwest, whereas at the present time 

 we have to pay a rate of $2.65 a hundred if we send by express. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Hale — I don't want to say a word against anything that sounds 

 like opposition to the city of Grand Rapids, for if I did, I don't know as 

 it would be safe for me to go out after dark, but I would like to say 

 to you on the P. Q. that I don't think they have yet seen the full need 

 of an association here. I have had experience along the same line of 

 this gentleman, and we have done very well not because I managed it, 

 but for other reasons. And so I am in favor of cooperation, and doing 

 everything we can to promote a friendly interest and a lively spirit in 

 the work. 



Mr. Bentall — Mr. President: I had no expectation of saying a word 

 here Avhen I came — I came simply to learn. But I do want to demur 

 from what I have heard different members say that there seems to be 

 a suspicion abroad that it is impossible to combine the farmers. Now 

 I think it is possible to combine farmers. They are alive to their in- 

 terests, if they know what their interests are. Three years ago we 

 formed a society in order to learn a little about our business. After 

 a time we thought it would be all right to buy our spraying materials 

 in car load lots. Then we thought to buy our packages that way, and 

 our barrels by the thousand. That worked all right, and this last year, 

 we thought we would ship together, and we did so, sending out eleven 

 carloads, and on the whole, we were as successful as the men who 

 shipped to the Chicago market. Now this has developed quite a large 

 correspondence, and this year we have had more inquiries than we 

 could satisfy. We have shipped 22 or 23 cars of fruit and we have not 

 had a quarrel — not that we have not some times looked* at things differ- 

 ently but nothing so serious but what it could be adjusted all right. 

 We have acquired a warehouse property, and our own side track and we 

 have been able to cover the expense of shipping for 5 cents per barrel, 

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