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he tells me that they have created quite a sensation in that section, and are quite the 
rage among the strawberry growers, who are all trying to get them. He believes it is 
the coming strawberry for that section of the country, if not for the province. I am very 
sorry I was not able to bring the samples with me. 
The Prestpent.—I shall appoint Mr. Nichol, Mr. Pafford and Mr. Dempsey as a 
committee on the fruit exhibited here. 
OBITUARIES. 
The Secretary.—lI have now, Mr. President, to make an announcement that I am 
sure you will all be very sorry to hear. I have here a communication containing an 
announcement of the death of Mr. John Croil of Aultsville, which was sent to me about 
a week ago. Mr. Croil, who was sixty-five years of age, died at his residence on the 23th 
of June. This loss is in connection with our own society, and we have also to deplore — 
the loss sustained by the Montreal Society in the death of their Vice-President, Mr. 
Charles Gibb, to whom we are all so largely indebted, and whom we so often welcomed 
in our own mectings. I think it is desirable that a committee should be appointed to 
draft resolutions of condolence and sympathy in regard to the loss of these esteemed 
deceased friends. 
The Presipent.—I appoint Messrs. Race, Beall and Craig. 
Mr. Beall asking to be excused, Mr. A. McD. Allan was appointed on the committee 
with the other gentlemen named. 
MARKETING FRUITS: 
The Presipent.—-One of the questions set down for discussion by the Association at 
the present meeting is, “‘ What is the best method of selling small fruits in our city local 
markets $” We will hear what our Secretary has to say on that point. 
The SroreTary.—There is a great prejudice against the sale of fruit by auction, and 
perhaps there may be some reason in it. It has been tried to a certain extent in the city of 
Toronto, not perhaps with the most encouaging results, but I am of the opinion that if it 
was undertaken by reliable persons, and carried on in a systematic, business-like manner, it 
would be to our advantage to have fruit sold there in that way. There would certainly 
be no opportunity for growers to be cheated as to the proper sales made, because it would ~ 
all be done in a public way. Fruit is a commodity which must be sold at once, whether 
by auction or by private sale, and if the public once became aware that auction sales of 
fruit were being held regularly I think the highest prices would be realised in that way ; 
certainly the fruit should bring us a fair valueif sold in that way. Some days, no doubt, 
there might be a loss, but on the average I believe an open sale, regularly conducted, 
would result to our advantage. The question was suggested by Mr. Allan, L think, who 
desires to get the opinions of the growers in this part of the province, and that is my 
opinion as one of them. 
Mr. McD. Atian.—I did not expect to speak to this question, which I suggested 
merely for the purpose of eliciting information and the opinions of the growers themselves, 
based on their experience in selling both by auction and in the ordinary manner. If the 
system of selling fruit by auction is adopted the auctioneer, in the first place, should be a 
person well versed in fruit, and having a thorough knowledge of its value. He stands 
between the buyer and the seller, and he should be a man who will not either knowingly 
or unknowingly do an injustice on one side or the other. He should know the value of 
each grade of fruit before him, and what it ought to realise. At the same time he should 
protect the purchasers, that is, he must not misrepresent anything, but give them the fruit 
required for their particular custom or trade. It seems to me that if he understands his 
business thoroughly, and is willing and able to conduct the sales properly, the plan must 
be a success, and I am of opinion that upon the whole the auction system would be the 
most advantageous for all interested. 
