PROCEEDINGS OF TWENTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 9 



PEESIDENT OOOPEE'S ANNUAL ADDEESS. 



This is the twenty-sixth State Fruit-Growers' Convention, and the 

 twenty-second held under the auspices of the State Board of Horti- 

 culture. A brief review of the year's results in the fruit crops in the 

 different localities of the State encourages the belief that greater pros- 

 perity exists than for several years past. The deciduous fruits in the 

 northern and middle portions have brought good prices, especially for 

 the cured product. The orange crop in the southern portion has been 

 good, and the prices realized also better than for the past few years. 

 The lemon industry was much depressed by excessive importations. 

 The walnut crop was a fair average, and the prices higher than for 

 many years past, excepting the previous year (an advance obtained by 

 reason of a small crop). The prune crop has not been marketed suc- 

 cessfully; nor has the raisin crop; and it is to be regretted that the best 

 efforts and the best minds striving to cooperate in the disposal of these 

 fruits have not been united. Differences regarding the management 

 have caused dissatisfaction and dissension, which is greatly to be 

 regretted and is a serious detriment to the success of the growers. 



The question of marketing fruit has the largest place on our pro- 

 gramme, and the many essayists who will treat this subject will no 

 doubt explain every phase of the difficulty; and I hope that the final 

 outcome will harmonize the various opinions, and that we will arrive 

 at the most complete system of cooperation, which will give satisfactory 

 results. 



To quote from an experienced fruit-grower: "We know the soils best 

 adapted to various fruits; the best varieties to plant for family use and 

 commercial purposes, and know how to evaporate them. We have also 

 learned what varieties to plant for pollinating purposes. We know 

 most of the diseases and insects infecting trees and fruit, and how to 

 combat them. But the marketing of our products to advantage is the 

 greatest problem that confronts us. We have plenty of growers who 

 can produce the very best fruits ready for market, but there their gen- 

 eralship ends. To place these goods in the world's markets at a profit 

 to themselves is a feature they have never studied, and therefore are 

 not able to execute the plans they have so carefully prepared. It 

 requires a thorough commercial training to do this special work.'^ 



Insect Pests. — The losses sustained in combating the noxious insects 

 that infest the fruits and fruit trees are as great, if not greater, than 

 from improper distribution and bad marketing of the fruit products. 

 According to an estimate of the average expense by the fruit counties, 

 it amounts to $300,000 annually. This does not include the loss caused 

 by the ravages of the pests. In the artificial remedies applied there is 



