PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-THIRD FRUIT-GROWERS , CONVENTION. 259 



PROFESSOR STUBENRAUCH. I don't know. We have gone to 

 the extreme in our handling operations and some of the bunches which 

 were very closely packed with berries we cut apart in order to be sure 

 to get out all the injured and unsound berries. 



MR. JUDD. Do you find that soil conditions have anything to do 

 with keeping qualities? 



PROFESSOR STUBENRAUCH. We are studying that now in your 

 own district, Mr. Judd. We are studying the influence of soil conditions 

 on the keeping qualities of apples. There has been some trouble devel- 

 oped in the Watsonville apples which we have not found in apples from 

 any other section.. It seems to be something in the soil condition. 

 Just what it is I do not know. There is no disease about it; the fruit 

 simply does not keep as long as it ought to and turns brown inside. 

 Some of your apples keep very well. I won't mention any names, but 

 as far as we could determine last year in a preliminary way it seemed to 

 indicate differences in soil. We had Professor Mackie make a survey 

 and map of the Watsonville district this year and we have selected your 

 four leading varieties and have gotten lots from the soil types and are 

 storing them. Of course, it is too early to say anything about it this 

 year. 



DR. SHERMAN. What about the dipping of the stem of the grape? 

 PROFESSOR STUBENRAUCH. You mean in parafhne? 

 DR. SHERMAN. Yes, sir. 



PROFESSOR STUBENRAUCH. We had no results from it what- 

 ever. In fact, it seemed to be a detriment because it made extra hand- 

 ling. 



DR. SHERMAN. Are not all the Almerias treated that way? 



PROFESSOR STUBENRAUCH. I do not think so. There is one 

 thing about it. The variety seems to have a good deal to do with it and 

 the condition of the stems. In some of the varieties the stems mold 

 instead of drying. Shriveling of the stems does not necessarily mean 

 the shriveling of the berries themselves. 



THE CHAIRMAN. Mr. Butters is now here and we will listen to 

 his paper on "Electric Roads for Developing Fruit-Growing." (Applause.) 



ELECTRIC ROADS FOR DEVELOPING FRUIT-GROWING. 



By H. A. BUTTERS, of Maeysville. 

 It could hardly be expected that any paper or remarks offered by me 

 to this Convention could add to the sum of technical knowledge concern- 

 ing the important and interesting industry the welfare of which it is 

 the purpose of this gathering to promote. I make this confession, alas, 

 in sorrow! In sorrow, I say, because to be a fruit-grower was once the 

 dream of my fondest ambition. In the free fancy of my golden youth 



/ 



