STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 241 



one in connection with the Olmsted County Horticultural So- 

 ciety, one at Mankato, and one at Minneapolis. I believe the 

 summer meeting to be the most profitable meeting we have; but 

 I don't think we ought to have it at Minneapolis or St. Paul. I 

 think we ought to have one over at Mankato. They raise lots of 

 fruit there. I was down there, and I found they were raising a 

 great many strawberries and raspberries, apples, and everything 

 of that kind; and we want to wake them up down there — arouse 

 them to action and get them to organize. I don't consider the 

 summer meeting a failure by any means. 



President Smith. I would suggest that a vote be taken whether 

 there will be a summer meeting or not. 



Mr. Smith. I move that we hold one or more summer meet- 

 ings. 



The motion was unanimously adopted. 



Question: Does manuring apple trees prolong their life and 

 usefulness ? 



Mr. Whii^ple. I would like to have it understood what con- 

 stitutes manuring and fertilizing, and the kind of compost I 



Mr. Pearce. Mr. President, I think the value in manuring of 

 apple trees depends altogether on the condition of the trees. If 

 a tree is bearing heavily I think it ought to be fed; but if not, it 

 ought not to be so well provided with food. 



Mr. Harris. Would you not modify that and say, if it is mak 

 ing a strong growth"? 



Prof. Porter. It depends upon the amount of nutriment yon 

 have for the organic support and growth of the trees. 



Mr. "Smith. The next question comes from Mi'. Cutler. He 

 inquires what would be a just and reasonable commission for 

 selling strawberries in St. Paul and Minneapolis. 



President Smith. I would state that no commission man can 

 handle and sell perishable fruit and do it safely for less than ten 

 per cent; a man that attempts to do it for less will be very likely 

 to go under or be compelled to make false retui-ns. I do not 

 mean to retail the fruit, but am speaking of the wholesale trade 

 and handling by the case. One cannot do it for less than that 

 and handle the fruit honestly and fairly. 



Question: What is the most convenient and economical recep- 

 tacle for handling and shipping strawberries, and what is the cost 

 thereof? 



Mr. Smith. The square quart box I think is the best and of 

 the size for the sixteen quart crate. The cost is four to five 

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