GATHERING CROP TRQM THE COMMERCIAL ORCHARD. 3OI 



on the ground and bore holes for the steps with a two inch auger. 

 Then I spread the bottom three feet wide and spring in all the steps 

 except the last one next to the bolt, which I let run through seven or 

 eight inches on the side ; then above the bolt pieces are put through 

 all the way to the top. That can be readily set against a limb in any 

 shape without being interfered with. It stands very firm, is easy 

 to climb and is light to handle and it suits me better than any ladder 

 I have ever used. I think you would like it if you were to try it. 

 It is just as handy to use as a farm ladder; it will adapt itself to the 

 ground because the top can be turned in any direction. 



Mr. Brand : We have two of those platform ladders on wheels. 

 We use two wheels and let two pieces project back two feet for 

 handles and have our platform built two feet high. The ladder is 

 on the back end of the platform where we can get up. We can take 

 that platform and run right up to a tree with it, and we can place 

 it so we can reach all around from the top. Then we have small 

 ladders, stepladders, which we can use on top of that platform if 

 there are any other apples we cannot reach. Then we also have a 

 ladder made very much like Mr. Leach's, only the rungs are grooved 

 in and notched and they come to a point at the top, and at the point 

 the edges are bevelled off so it makes a complete point that you can 

 shove in anywhere in the tops of the trees. That is a very handy 

 ladder. 



Hon. C. M. Loring : "I became a member of this society some 

 thirty-six or thirty-eight years ago. I saw the people come together 

 year after year struggling with this problem of how it would be 

 possible to raise apples in the state of Minnesota. All of us spent 

 a good deal of money. We sent to nurseries in different parts of 

 the country and got apple trees, but many gave up because they 

 thought all their efforts would end in failure. A few of these 

 gentlemen kept on trying to raise fruit, they spent thousands of dol- 

 lars in their experiments, and now at last their efforts have been 

 crowned with splendid success. Through the efforts of these gentle- 

 men succor has come to us, and we have now passed the point where 

 successful apple growing is any longer an experiment. I was told 

 by some gentleman that we raised in the state of Minnesota some- 

 thing over 500,000 bu. of apples this year, and if that is the case it is 

 astonishing. Now we want to turn our attention to producing com- 

 mercial fruits." 



Air. C. E. Older: "There is nothing that I enjoy more than at- 

 tending these meetings. I always appreciate the kindness that is 

 shown me, and I hope we may have a more successful year follow- 

 ing this meeting than we had last year or the year before. We are 

 down in the southwestern part of the state, but we feel just as much 

 interest in the work of the society as they do in any part of the 

 state." 



