LESSONS FROM WESTERN APPLE GROWERS. 



Mr. C. E. Bassett. 



The average farmer is not a good business man. That is a 

 harsh statement, but we may as well face it and make the most of 

 it. If we ever take a look at our competitors it is to become jealous 

 of their successes or to gloat over their failures, rather than to study 

 their methods so as to adopt what brings success or avoid the plans 

 which lead to defeat. 



It is reported that within two years the Pacific Coast will have 

 over 15,000,000 bearing apple trees. That is interesting to the 

 eastern grower, because he ought to plan his work so as to meet 

 that competition. My home town of Fennville, in western Mich- 

 igan, is known to very few of my hearers — is hardly on the map, 

 so far as you are concerned — and still it ships more apples to cold 

 storage every year than does the world-wide known Hood River 

 Valley. Western New York and southern Pennsylvania also have 

 points that excel Hood River in the quantity of apples grown and 

 shipped, but it is in the quantity and natural quality that we lead, 

 while it is the finish and excellence of pack that has put the Pacific 

 Coast points on the map in big red letters. 



We all have a general knowledge of western conditions, but it 

 was this summer, while visiting that section, that I had an oppor- 

 tunity to study their problems by seeing for myself and by talking 

 with the growers. The western land agents know just how to use 

 the brightest tints of printer's ink when describing their wonderful 

 land bargains and their use of superlatives is sufficient to put the ad- 

 vance agent of the modern circus completely in the background. 



Among the many horticultural leaders that I met and conversed 

 with was the head of one of the large fruit exchanges, who seemed 

 to take as much interest in eastern fruit progress as in what was 

 being done in his own section. He was keeping a sharp eye on what 

 their competitors were trying to do and on the probable effect it 

 would have on their business. As I told him of the reviving of in- 

 terest in horticulture in the east, the rejuvenating of old apple 

 orchards, etc., I said, "What are you going to do with these high- 

 priced orchards when we get our methods improved and our or- 

 ganizations for fine packing completed in the east?" What do you 

 suppose his answer was? '*You never will do it!" He practically 

 told me and, through me, he tells you that the Pacific Coast grower 

 relies on the lack of business of the eastern grower — upon his lazi- 

 ness, his shiftlessness, his dishonesty, if you please. Was he right? 

 I put it up to you. Did he tell the truth or is it a libel upon the man- 

 hood and womanhood of our eastern growers? Your answer must 

 come in the work that you do in the future. Acts speak louder than 



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