loo THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



THE PROBLEM OF OVER-PRODUCTION 



IN treating this problem, A. C. Sternberg said that when 

 a market does not give a profit we are inclined to say 

 that there is over-production. We must raise crops 

 at the lowest possible cost. Two hundred quarts of straw- 

 berries would glut the Hartford market 40 5''ears ago, when 

 they sold for 40 cents a quart ; but last year one retail dealer 

 sold 1,500 quarts, at 10 cents, in one day. The speaker 

 further stated that much of the dissatisfaction with com- 

 mission men arises from sending too large consignments, 

 and that it would be much better for the grower and for 

 the market to leave fruit on the plants than to sell it at 

 unprofitable prices. He suggested the plan of establishing 

 a selling agent in each community to study the markets 

 and handle fruit. Such an agent should be paid a salary, 

 and could advise growers when to send in their fruit. He 

 should be honest and bear criticism. Cold storage facili- 

 ties should be provided to hold fruit until gluts are over. 

 It is better to realize a profit on 50 per cent of the crop 

 than to sell 100 per cent at a loss. 



LESSONS FROM OUR ANNUAL FRUIT EXHIBIT 



PROF. A. G. GULLEY said that the fruit exhibit 

 demonstrated that some good fruit was produced in 

 Connecticut, but that there was still a difference of 

 opinion as to what should constitute exhibition samples. 

 Fruit that is good to sell is good for exhibition ; it should 

 be perfectly free from insects and fungi. Typical speci- 

 mens should be selected and all varieties carefully named. 

 This is the chief value of the exhibit to outsiders. Many 

 local varieties of merit are brought to attention at such 

 exhibitions. One day is too short a time for learning all 

 that such a fruit exhibit can teach, and for properly judg- 

 ing the fruit. Arrangements should be made to hold the 

 exhibition earlier in the season hereafter. 



Taken altogether, the exhibit of '99 contained finer fruit 

 than was shown at any of the many fairs in the state, and^ 

 best of all, it demonstrated what really perfect fruit was. 



