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When distilling is done and crop report in, we deem it advisable for a 

 Board of Directors to fix a minimum or lowest price, if possible all get that price. 



Some provision to be made for those who cannot hold for the price 

 (minimum). 



And as we believe essential oils are adulterated much to the detriment 

 of growers, this should receive the attention of this body. And as we believe 

 these hindrances can only be removed by all branches of farmers holding 

 together as one man. 



For this reason it is deemed advisable that all branches of farmers should 

 be organized under one general head, and in one solid body, for equitable 

 prices for all farm products. 



We advise also in this case of too great a surplus of oil that the acreage 

 should be diminished and encourage crops instead, thus balancing crops and prices. 



That crop reports are the property of members of this society only, and 

 that those who derive benefits from this organization should be members and 

 help bear the expenses. 



That we meet in the unions of this Society, but if advisable Mint Growers 

 to have separate meetings for their particular business. 



That we adopt for our official paper 'Up-to-date Farming', and give all 

 branches of the Society our hearty support and co-operation. 



That we propose a convention of Mint Growers, possibly at the same 

 time of the Potato and Fruit Growers, to formulate the Mint Growers' 

 Branch of the A. S. of E. and elect officers and attend to whatever business 

 may come before the Convention. 



Do you favor this or a similar plan? Kindly advise. 



(Signed) The American Society of Equity 

 Geo. C. Wattles, Organizer, Sherwood, Mich." 



Although certain interested parties have from the first applied to 

 the Government to take steps against the new Organization as being 

 contrary to the Anti-Trust Law, the first meeting took place on the 

 5 th September at Kalamazoo, and was also attended by our authorised 

 agent as a spectator. The resolution passed on that occasion was as 

 follows: — 



"Whereas the principal producers of oil of peppermint have carefully con- 

 sidered the cost of producing the said commodity throughout the entire oil 

 producing belt and have ascertained systematically the available quantity for 

 consumption during the coming year, 



And whereas the present high price of labor and unfavorable natural 

 conditions have tended to both reduce the acreage and also largely increase the 

 cost of production, 



And whereas there has been considerable agitation among the New York 

 and other buyers regarding the fixing of a minimum price by the growers and 

 primary owners and holders of essential oils, 



And whereas there is a feeling among the said growers that the initial 

 price of oil of peppermint should be materially higher than last year, 



And whereas it is deemed by competent judges that oil peppermint ought 

 to be placed upon the market at from $ 3,— to $ 4, — per lb. in order that 

 growers may receive a fair compensation for capital and labor invested, 



Therefore be it resolved, that we do recommend that the minimum price 

 of oil peppermint in the producing districts throughout this jurisdiction be not 

 less than $ 2,75 to $ 3,— per lb. as per quality, 



And further resolved, that even higher prices are justifiable under the 

 circumstances. 



