15 



which has not been abundant for several years, another 

 season, is enforced upon fruit growers in sections where it 

 has gained a foothold. 



The prospect of selling the crop at paying prices depends 

 largely upon the crop of the entire country, and that of 

 other countries to which we can export, and also the amount 

 of other fruits that may be put upon our markets. 



The crop of the entire country is reported at 44 per cent 

 of a full crop, with the chances of this being still further 

 reduced by droughts which prevail in many sections. The 

 business conditions of the country are such as to warrant the 

 belief that only the cheaper fruits will find a ready sale, and 

 if the demand for exportation should be good, and the supply 

 of oranges and bananas should be small, we may expect a 

 large home consumption. In England and some European 

 countries the apple crop is reported as light, and if the 

 financial conditions of those countries warrant it, there will 

 probably be a large demand for our product. 



The good quality of our crop is much in favor of a large 

 consumption ; ' ' the more good fruit the people have the 

 more they want." 



Should the business interests of the country revive, now 

 that the tariff tinkering has ceased, we may hope for better 

 prices, by -holding our winter fruit in cold storage or in 

 good fruit cellars. If, however, one has not good facilities 

 for storing, and cannot provide such before the crop is 

 harvested, it will be best to dispose of the crop as harvested 

 if fair prices are offered. A good, honest article, whether 

 made in the factory or on the farm, will command a fair 

 price and lead to the largest possible consumption, and in 

 the competition of fruit growing every one must make an 

 efibrt to produce the best possible crop at the lowest possible 

 cost, and those w4io succeed in reducing expenses and at the 

 same time improve the products, are sure of some profit, as 

 in all other lines of business. More brain work and better 

 business management is what most of us farmers need. 

 The waste products of many business concerns are often made 

 a large source of income, and in fruit growing the lower 

 grades of fruit that would injure the sales of our main crop 

 should be utilized in every way possible. 



