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produce a crop of fruit received better prices for that which 

 was produced in the year 1917 than we have for quite a num- 

 ber of years. There seemed to be a ready market and people 

 were desirous of getting all the fruit they could, either can- 

 ning it or drying it. 



And right along that line, I think we are up against a 

 proposition this coming season. We are going to discuss this 

 evening for a short time our sugar problem. The sugar 

 proposition is a real problem, and we are not sure we will 

 get it in sufficient quantities to take care of the fruit. I be- 

 lieve we have got to look to some other way to take care of 

 our fruit. We have got to resort to drying, perhaps, and this 

 will have to be carried on in some larger way than the indi- 

 vidual home drying. 



We should have in various sections of the state drying 

 plants properly conducted where the people could be edu- 

 cated in the art of drying fruits. I think we all found, spe- 

 cially those near small towns, that the municipal markets 

 were a great help to us in selling our fruit, those who do a re- 

 tail business were able to get rid of their fruits with much 

 less help, and less expense, than if they had to take it to the 

 home of the consumer. I believe the consumer enjoyed it as 

 well, and was glad to get out and meet the grower and pro- 

 cure their fruit fresh at a reasonable price. 



And I think right along this line, if we have these mar- 

 kets another year, we should be careful not to put prohibitive 

 prices on our fruit, in order that the consumer will come and 

 buy our products and feel satisfied. We should consider it 

 an advantage to have the consumer come to the market and 

 get our fruit. 



We had trouble in regard to the selling of the late fruits, 

 the late peaches and quinces, etc. It seemed hard to sell them 

 when the sugar famine came on, 



I would like to speak in regard to the Fruit bulletin that 

 was gotten out. This was worked out through your Asso- 

 ciation. Some of you may not know it, but we had this little 

 bulletin prepared. Some of your officers gave quite a little 



