^^0 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



than those in vogue in the past. The fruit grower of the future cannot 

 afford to make mistakes that can be avoided by profiting by the mistakes 

 and faihires of those who have already made the costly experiment. One 

 prominent source of error is in the selection of varieties. He must select 

 for extensive planting only such varieties as have proven to be adapted 

 to his locality and soil. Not only shall the variety \*e one of established 

 character, as regards productiveness, but must have a character in the 

 market he would supply. Having made his selections, and planted and 

 cared for them, according to methods advocated by our most advanced 

 horticulturists, he has now presented to him the greatest problem of all. 

 and that is, the gathering, handling and sale of the product of the orchard, 

 vineyard and berry patch. It is a mistake to suppose that fruit invaria- 

 bly sells at a profit to the grower. There is a very large part that does 

 not, and a very small part, indeed, that brings such a price as it would 

 under the best conditions. And those conditions are such, that it is 

 almost impossible for the average fruit grower to apply them. To call 

 attention to this state of affairs, is the intent of this article. That com- 

 munity, which has supplied itself with all the modern appliances for the 

 preservation of fruits, which means with canning and evaporating estab- 

 lishments, with cold storage rooms and refrigerator cars, in a word, are 

 prepared to grow, to handle and to preserve fruits in a scientific manner, 

 have a measure of success guaranteed them such as but few individuals 

 could ever hope to attain, on account of the expense involved. 



Therefore, it .seems absolutely essential that to obtain the best re- 

 sults, we must have organization of some kind, either through horticul- 

 tural societies or by forming companies with sufficient capital to not 

 only-grow fruits extensively, but to be able to supply themselves with 

 the best of facilities to care for the same in whatever manner their judg- 

 ment at the time, would consider advisable. In order to more plainly 

 point out in detail some of the advantges of such a system, we need 

 only apply it to the handling of the small fruit crop. With a means at 

 hand to can or evaporate strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, 

 etc., an over-crowded market need not be dreaded. I am informed by 

 a practical canner of 12 years' experience, that any of the above 

 fruits can be handled profitably at 5 cents per quart, or $1.60 per bushel. 



In other words, the canner can pay that, and no expense for pack- 

 age, no commission, no transportation charges, no stealings ; besides, 

 with such facilities, all inferior fruit can be utilized, and none but "extra 

 select " sent to market, and it is rare, indeed, when the latter would 

 not bring remunerative prices. 



