124 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



I might give other figures to show how the export trade 

 in fruit compares with that of other articles, but I have demon- 

 strated that it is no longer to be classed among the infants, 

 but stands squarely among the best. 



I point out, that with all these other articles, such as corn, 

 cotton and wheat, we have reached nearly our limit in export 

 trade. The growing demands of our own country will absorb 

 more and more of these products and leave less of them for 

 export. Not so with fruit, and especially apples. We have 

 practically the monopoly here in New England in the produc- 

 tion of the finest class of Baldwins and Mcintosh Red there 

 is. I look, therefore, to see the day when apples will stand 

 at the head in value of all our list of exports to foreign 

 countries. 



Now, as to packages, we are in the experiment stage. I 

 do not know exactly what the best package is. For my own 

 trade, I find the bushel box with yielding sides, closely packed, 

 the best package for the middle class trade. The barrel is 

 the package for the wholesale trade, but I believe we are to 

 get closer and closer in our relations between producer and 

 consumer. When this is done, you must come to a smaller 

 package. I think the time is already here, when a few apples 

 can be sold in a heavy pasteboard box, nicely packed, wrapped 

 tastefully in paper, and shipped rapidly to the consumer. 

 The parcels post, which we are sure to have some day, will 

 make a great difference in the handling of our fruit and veg- 

 etables. It has already done so for France, where the parcels 

 post is a success. In that country the Government has con- 

 trol of all the public utilities, such as the railroad, the post, 

 the telegraph, and the telephone system. The railroads 

 belong really to private corporations, but they are under the 

 control of the State, which grants them concessions and guar- 

 antees the payment of the interest on their investment. Thus 

 the common people who own shares in the railroad are guar- 

 anteed a fair investment from year to year, and. in return for 

 this, the Government regulates rates in the interest of the 

 people. Under this system, it has been comparatively easy 

 for the Government to carry out a parcels post. Anywhere 



