Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. (341 



Mr. P. T, Qniim. — I have had experience, and conkl give a long 

 catalogue of grievances. Freqnentl}' I have had a discount of fifty 

 cents per basket to make in pears on account of the stealings of the 

 railroad men. I never make a fuss about it, because I am perfectly 

 well aware of the difticiilty of getting anything paid back. Wealthy 

 corporations who have a monopoly of our lines of transit don't spend 

 their money in that w\a_y. Fifty thousand dollars paid to lawyers 

 and senators is much more effective than a defense in court. 



Mr. H. T. AVilliams. — Tlie only remedy is by establishing opposi- 

 tion lines of conveyance. Some peach growers in Delaware found 

 it to their interest during the past season to drive their teams ten or 

 fifteen miles, and connect with the opposition boat, rather than patro- 

 nize the railroad lines. Some years ago the roads in Delaware took 

 peaches Avith the usual obligation. Every year one company had 

 trom $40,000 to $60,000 damages to pay. The clause spoken of by 

 Mr. Idell was then inserted, and they have had no suits. But the 

 rascalities mentioned by him have sprung up in consequence. I hope 

 the paper will be noted by the committee on markets, and that some 

 suggestions will be made by them looking to a correction of abuses 

 so great and deep-rooted. 



Dr. F. M. Hexamer. — I liave shipped much fruit from my farm at 

 Newcastle, and never lost anything to speak of. The secret of this is 

 I kept on good terms with the railroad people, from general agent to 

 brakeman. A few baskets of strawberries or other fruit, judiciously 

 distributed has excellent eifect. 



The Old Year Ended. 



This being the last meeting of 18G9, the Chairman, as is his cus- 

 tom, made some eloquent and timely remarks. He spoke of the 

 interest which continues to be felt in the Club throughout the coun- 

 try, and of the valuable aid of friends not seen, but who take the pains 

 to put on paper the facts gathered from experiment or observation, 

 and thus advance the good work. During the year the meetings 

 have been unusually well attended, and interesting. Acknowledg- 

 ments was made to the press for faithfulness in reports, and for dili- 

 gence in spreading every worthy idea here represented. Said the 

 Alderman, in conclusion : " Let us see to it that among other good 

 words and works, we use our best endeavors to rescue the birds from 

 wanton and cruel destruction. That tlieir services are needed in saving 

 the crops is no longer questioned. How can a boy, large or small, 



[Inst.] 41 



