180 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to remain in business or make any money from it. Of course there are rascals- 

 amoug them, as well as among us, but when we expect them to protect us- 

 against our own rascality it is askiug too much. They can not do it if they 

 would. But be honest and any of the best houses will get your crop through 

 in grand shape. 



How can we accomplish any reform in our work? This society has a mem- 

 ber, or several members, at every fruit shipping point. Now, let us go from 

 here with the determination to set an excellent example for our neighbors, 

 on every occasion. Let us preach that honesty in this business is the best 

 policy, "because it pays;" do not hesitate to condemn the slightest fraud 

 even if your best friend commits it. Do everything you can to make the 

 practice contemptible in every neighborhood. Your commission man will 

 point out improvements if you ask him to. Watch your neighbor's fruit. If 

 it is not right, let him know it. To all who practice fraud in packing, let me 

 suggest that your help notice all your tricks and your name goes abroad, as 

 they are very likely to review your practice when they get to a place where 

 honesty is the rule. 



Now, brother fruit growers, let us all keep this matter in mind during our 

 •hipping season, using all our influence for improvement, and at our next 

 annual meeting see if we can not report some progress. It is a matter of self- 

 preservation, and let us so consider it and work accordingly. 



THE ILLINOIS *' GRANGER" SYSTEM OF SHIPMENT. 



T. E. Goodrich, Cobden, Ills. : Immediately after the war we had to p ay 

 $2.50 per hundred for freight from Oobden to Chicago, while now. we pay but 

 22 cents. This change has been brought about by our persistent efforts and 

 the "granger" system of shipment. In this method we (the growers) load 

 and unload the cars, two agents doing all the business with the railway com- 

 pany. One at Cobden receipts for freight, loads it, makes the manifest, and 

 telegraphs necessary instructions to the agent in Chicago, who notihes the 

 consignees of what is coming, unloads the fruit, and collects the freight and 

 his own charges. The trains carry nothing but freight, make nearly passen- 

 ger time, and are very seldom behind time. On these trains we pay $90 per 

 car of ten tons, and by the ton for excess. Other sorts of cars and trains are 

 used for "truck" (vegetables, etc.), making thirty-six hours' time, and the 

 contents arrive in good order. Rates for such cars are §50, $42, and §35 per 

 car, according to time. At first these night freights were not received with 

 favor, but they are now, even for berries. The agent in charge of our fruit 

 now works for us instead of for the express company ; then, bad care or no 

 care was given; now, the best of care. So well is our freight handled, mer- 

 chants get us to take their eggs and other such goods. We use refrigerator 

 cars also, paying a higher price for distant markets, such as New York and 

 Boston. Chicago objected to "refrigerator fruit" at first, but that prejudice 

 has nearly passed away. At first the fruit was made too cold, but now it is 

 kept at about fifty degrees, being put directly into the cars and not first in a 

 refrigerator as in the beginning. At first we had great difficulty in getting 

 the railway company to put down prices, but we have fully succeeded and the 

 railway still has a satisfactory profit. I see no reason why the Chicago A. 

 West Michigan Company can not be induced to do as well. To secure such 

 conditions as ours all you have to do is to combine and make a beginning.. 



