74 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



lots, and the sooner the transportation companies realize this fact and 

 provide ways and means of transportation, the better. We want thor- 

 oughly ventilated cars, and for any point beyond a short distance, ice 

 cars, which shall be especially designed to meet the requirements of the 

 peach trade. 



The packages I believe should be changed somewhat. Take the ordi- 

 nary Climax basket, which has sloping sides; my idea is that it would be 

 better to have baskets with perpendicular sides or boxes. They would 

 pack more conveniently and ride better in the car. 



In comparing those who have sold their crop in the home market, 

 where there were buyers, with those who have made a practice of con- 

 signing to commission men, I believe the average grower who sells his 

 peaches at home realizes more money and with less trouble than the 

 grower who ships and consigns to the average commission man. 



Now then, in order to induce buyers to come to points outside of large 

 places like Grand Rapids, the transportation companies must agree to 

 furnish cars at proper times and in sufficient quantities and properly 

 constructed. For short distances, they must be thoroughly self-ventil- 

 ated or capable of being iced. They must increase the time made, they 

 must attach these cars to passenger or fast freight trains, or if the quan- 

 tity is sufficient, have fast freight trains that make equal time to the pas- 

 senger trains. Let the buyers know that if they put up their money into 

 this fruit they wili be carried the distance rapidly, and if you can get the 

 buyers where the fruit is, you can get them to take the whole product. 

 I believe the average grower had better stay at home and let someone 

 else do the marketing. In the end, he will be the gainer. 



Mr. J. N. Stearns: I once received a letter from a commission man who 

 had been in the business twenty-five years in New York, saying that the 

 demand for a fancy article of fruit was three-quarters, with a. supply of 

 one-quarter. I think in that may be found a partial solution at least, 

 of the problem of marketing fruit. We are not careful enough in making 

 our fruit of that fancy grade. 



I heard the question asked two or three times this morning on the 

 train, in regard to the prices Mr. Morrill has received in Chicago. I have 

 seen his returns. I know he is able to get better prices than many of us 

 who ship to Chicago and I would like to have him explain to this 

 audience the arrangement he has with his commission man, and the 

 mode of packing he employs in order to obtain these prices. 



Mr. Morrill: There never has been any regular organized conspiracy 

 in the matter at all, that I recollect of. The mode of packing that has 

 brought it about has simply appeared to be that dictated by ordinary 

 good sense and has been the result of a good many years of hard work 

 on my part, and I guess on the commission man's part too. I have simply 

 packed what I have had so that it was as good as it appeared to be — ■ 

 nothing more or less; simply making every package as good at the bot- 

 tom as at the top, in some cases perhaps better. I think that is the best 

 way to trap a man's pocket book; it is a surprise. He goes again, to be 

 surprised again. He may not be surprised again, but he will get as good 

 all the way through as he buys. These are just the little simple methods 

 that would suggest themselves to any one. 



