290 NKBUASKA STATE IK (ItTICI I/riKAl. SoClinV 



REPORT OF THE OMAHA FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. 



Omaha, Neb., Nov. 12, 1913. 

 Mr. J. R. Duncan, Secretary State Horticultural Society, Lincoln, Neb.: 



Dear Sir — I am not in a position to give you a detailed statement at 

 this time, but our sales this season will run about $72,000. It may 

 possibly go over that, as we are still receiving a few apples from 

 some of our growers. 



The largest item we grow is Concord grapes, of which we shipped 

 65 cars this season, in addition to the local sales we made in the open 

 market. 



On account of the hot, dry summer, our crop fell far below what 

 we expected. Early estimates of grapes figured we would have nearly 

 100 cars to ship. The quality was not as good as last year, the hot 

 weather and lack of rain maturing the fruit too quickly, thus reducing 

 the size of the berries and injuring the keeping quality. 



This season we marketed 4,500 crates of cherries, 4,400 cases of 

 blackberries, and 4,250 cases of black raspberries. Besides we had a good 

 many strawberries, gooseberries, currants, red raspberries, apples, plums, 

 and some vegetables. 



We have realized very satisfactory prices for our products this 

 season which in a measure makes up for the shortage in the crop. 



Cooperation is the dominant feature of our Association. At our 

 meetings, if any grower has discovered some improved method of 

 cultivation, or tried out some new variety of fruit which proved to be 

 more productive and of superior quality, which makes it more profitable 

 to grow, this information is given freely to all the members and is dis- 

 cussed in the meeting. Every time we improve the quality and quantity 

 of our products, it is a direct benefit to every member. 



The members get all their basket and box material through the 

 Association who make an estimate about the first of the year, and 

 then place their contracts, which are of an elastic nature so they can 

 either be reduced or increased a certain per cent after the crop is 

 advanced enough in the early spring, when a fairly accurate estimate 

 can be formed. By handling it in this manner, very little material is 

 carried over from year to year. This enables the Association to furnish 

 its members with fresh, clean packages every season. 



Most of the nursery stock is also bought in the same manner, so 

 that every spring good sized orders are placed with the nursorymcii 

 who are in position to make the best price and also furnish the quality, 

 but quality comes first for we are ever striving to improve the fruits of 

 our orchards, and by so doing at all times command the highest market 

 prices. 



We also ship in cars of the very best and purest seed potatoes we 

 can get hold of, which cost our growers very little more than the 

 common article. 



By this system of cooperation, our gi-owers are furnished with 



