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liiose that were grown nearby, after the express was paid. 

 in going about the country, I found that people picking 

 berries have refused to sell them for less than I should have 

 liad to pay in Boston. It seems as if it would be fair to all 

 to have one price on the farm and another price in the 

 stores, and that the consumer and the groAver might split 

 the difPerence on those that the consumer bought on the 

 farm. 



I am told there has been a very interesting experiment 

 tried on Long Island ; the first incentive was to make fertile 

 fiome land said to be unproductive, and the Long Island Rail- 

 road entered into the scheme, in packing what they call 

 "home hampers." Those are hampers of mixed fruit and 

 vegetables going directly from the grower to the consumer, 

 and the Railroad rushes them through and they arrive very 

 fresh and beautifully packed. When Mr. Smith spoke of 

 co-operation, I wondered whether he meant merely co- 

 operation among the growers or if he meant co-operation 

 among the consumers and dealers as well. Our Govern- 

 ment has done an immense work for agriculture of all kinds, 

 and if the farmers ask for help in reaching the consumers 

 more directly, it seems as if the Government would respond. 

 As for the consumers, it is almost pitiful how quickly they 

 respond to anything that is done up attractively. We are 

 almost foolish in our gratitude, and the price we will pay as 

 Mr. Smith has already borne testimony, but I wish that in- 

 stead of simply tempting us, you would also try to educate 

 us. 



Now most of us don't know that there are any apples 

 in existence except the Baldwins and Russets and a few of 

 the early apples or a few Greenings. Now that is as far as 

 we all know. How very attractive the grab bag is for old 

 and young. If we could have home hampers and have a 

 little surprise, have a sample of apples, of what could be 

 sent to us if we liked that particular sample, it seems to me 

 that it would be very attractive. Something in the way of a 

 pear that is a little different from Beurrei.Bosc or Seckle or 



