PROCEEDINGS OF TWENTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 91 



increasing the quality and reputation of the brand. This experience 

 refers particularly to the packing of table fruit, canned goods, olive oil, 

 raisins, and dried fruits. 



It seems to me that all the fruit of a ranch, be it much or little, green 

 or dried, that is shipped East, should be packed by the grower. Greed 

 should not allow him to lower the quality. He must remember that 

 much of the complaint we hear from the grower of the low prices 

 or no returns from the commission packer is really only natural, for 

 the commission man must live, and as he receives his commissions 

 before the grower is paid, he naturally will pack closely, and fruit that 

 is really culls will go East at the grower's expense. I never go into the 

 packing-houses in Fresno, but I am surprised at the poor fruit going 

 into the pack. It pays to cull heavily all fruit for Eastern shipment. 

 If we can do nothing else with the culls, they will do for the pigs. 



Now, the question has been asked by several women how can I attend 

 to this outside work and manage the housework also. Right there is a 

 grave economic mistake that women make. Thej think servants are 

 wasteful, and they can not afford them. There are many ranch houses 

 in the San Joaquin Valley where we have eaten dinner and supper, 

 where all were men, no women being within several miles. We have 

 uniformly found good, well-cooked food, served in a clean way. If men 

 can manage this way, why not women? If the ranch is large, the wife 

 should help with the bookkeeping and packing-house work; in other 

 words, be the general inside manager, and by her brains raise the 

 standard of this work. 



If we as women can not introduce cleaner and better work into the 

 packing-houfes and canneries of this State, there is little encourage- 

 ment for us to enter upon the hard grind of a business life. If we can 

 improve these conditions, then we have every encouragement, added to 

 the highest of all, that of companionship; for the woman can enter into 

 the cares and hopes of her husband with sympathy, and by this intelli- 

 gent interest in a common pursuit round out a home life of usefulness 

 and most perfect happiness. 



MR. AIKEN. I move you, sir, that the sincere thanks of this Con- 

 vention be extended to the ladies for their very interesting and effective 

 presentation of the programme, which has been of such great pleasure 

 and benefit and profit to us. 



MR. JOHNSTON. I will offer the amendment that the papers be 

 published in the report of these proceedings. 



Carried by a rising vote. 



