New York State Horticultural Society 
Meeting 
The New York State Horticultural Society held its 
annual meeting at the Imposition I»ark, Rochester, Jan¬ 
uary 11-1,‘1. The morning of the tirst day was given to 
reports of committees, R. 1). Van Bureii of Xiverville. 
in reporting for the committee on fruit statistics and 
marketing, stated that the fear of many fruit men that 
the question of production was overdone, was not well 
founded, as the survey of the past five >ears showed 
that with heavy crops and light crops, the average had 
not shown an annual increase. Mr. Van Boren recom¬ 
mended that more attention he given to careful packing 
of apples than heretofore. 
The afternoon session brought out noteworthy facts 
that had been acquired during the past year. The 
question of dusting was a Jive one. Professor Parrott 
stated that experiments were carried on at the State 
station with tobacco dust against San Jose scale, apple 
red hugs, currant, potato, and cabbage aphis and pear 
psylla. and it was found that, the only disease or insect 
that was unaffected bj the dust was the San Jose scale, 
"Dusting apple orchards for sucking insects is in its 
first phase, and future efforts will doubtless modify 
present field practice, as well as the selection and com¬ 
pounding of materials. In attempting to combat red 
bug by dusting, it is suggested that iu the employment 
of formulas with low ratios of nicotine somewhat larger 
amounts he applied than in the case of mixtures with 
a higher nicotine content. Preparations containing 0.2ft 
per cent nicotine are probably too weak to obtain 
uniformly satisfactory results, and those with 0.50 per 
cent or more nicotine should he applied with care to 
secure effective control of the insects and to avoid high 
dosage costs. If possible, the operations should he 
undertaken on bright, warm days, when the air is still, 
dusting tin* trees from opposite sides.’’ 
< hie of the most interesting papers was given by X. It. 
Peet, manager of the Western New York Fruit ( 1 rowers' 
Co-operative Backing Association. Mr. Peet said: 
“The associations are endeavoring to distribute the 
product. Too often in the past large quantities of 
Western New York fruit have arrived simultaneously 
on the market, producing a glut there, which is a loss 
to everyone, especially to the growers. Recently when 
we had sold 527 cars, our sales department made out a 
report showing that thi- fruit had been distributed into 
100 different car-lot consuming markets. This is greatly 
to be commended, but it does mil go tile whole way. 
The associations are probably bundling about one-tenth 
of the tonnage, and although that tenth may be evenly 
distributed, the fact that there is no knowledge of 
where the other !R> per cent is being sent prevents ns 
intelligent distribution as would he possible if the asso¬ 
ciations represented a larger percentage of the entire 
Jouunge. This fact is of interest to every fruit grower 
in Western New York, whether a member of an associa¬ 
tion or not. Higher prices will be achieved for the 
growers when a large proportion of the tonnage is 
handled through associations.” 
Speaking about the benefits t• • the consumers, Mr. 
Peer said: “The task of reducing the cost of fruit 
products lo tin* consumer is a difficult one, hut it is 
being squarely faced in this way. Steady, equal ship¬ 
ments of fruit, an* being made throughout the period 
when that fruit may be properly handled. This is being 
adhered to iu spite of what a more speculative program 
might promise, the idea being to keep tile markets prop¬ 
erly supplied at all times, to avoid speculation, stabilize 
prices, aud give the retailer at the other end an assur¬ 
ance of a continuity of supply. SO that after he has 
started a trade lie will continue to have something to 
sell, making it possible for him to take a lower percent¬ 
age of profit and still make a larger total profit. It is 
fort nun te that the growers who are members of this 
plan are heartily in sympathy and accord with this 
principle of steady, equal shipments; in fact, they have 
dtmamle.i it as a prime importance before they would 
agree (■> pool their sales. 
“During the last few years there have been developed 
"* -1 local co-operative central packing house associations 
in the Western New York fruit belt. These are situ¬ 
ated in the territory along the southern shore of laike 
Ontario, from the Niagara River to Oswego, and ex¬ 
tend as far south as the Finger Lakes, a territory IS 
miles loug and approximately -40 miles wide at its 
widest point. These associations represent an invest¬ 
ment in buildings and equipment of approximately 
£.".00,000, have a membership of 1,000 members, who 
own farm land valued at approximately Jji20.000.000. 
Tweul.v-iiine of these associations have federated them¬ 
selves into a central association, which organization 1 
represent. A little better than 1,000 ears of fruit were 
packed this year 'by these 29 associations under one 
brand. The sales are all made through Ibis central or¬ 
ganization. and will total about $1,000,000" 
At the morning session on Friday. Dr. Roscoe W. 
Thatcher, director of the New York State Experiment 
Station at Geneva, attacked rumored “economies" which 
would cut down the staff of State agriculturists. He 
said : 
“The present administration of the 'State was elected 
upon a platform of economy in State expenditures, and 
is constantly eudeavoring to carry out its pre-election 
pledges. With this policy we are in hearty accord. 
The need for economy in both State and national ex¬ 
penditures is apparent to everyone. Rut it is poor 
policy fur tin* State to curtail its expenditures for those 
enterprises which increase agricultural production and 
add to the taxable wealth of ilo* State, even under con¬ 
ditions which require rigid limitation iu expenditures 
for other public purposes which, while desirable enter¬ 
prises themselves, are not essential to the economic 
welfare of the State." 
On another point Dr. Thatcher said: “I regard the 
permanent location of branch experiment stations at 
many different places in the State an unmitigated ca¬ 
lamity. t >ne central station with a well-organized Staff 
of scientific research men is a necessity, in order to 
provide the organization, eoUlpn’ieilt, and training neces¬ 
sary for the scientific study of agricultural problems. 
But whenever the problem needs for its best study 
conditions elsewhere in the State, the workers ought to 
be able to go there, and to remain there*only so long 
as the local materials and environment are needed for 
the solution of the particular problem.” 
Dean A. R, Mann, of the New York State Agricul¬ 
tural College at Ithaca, spoke on “What Constitutes 
Progress in Agriculture and Country Life." In giv¬ 
ing figures on the economic progress of farmers, he said: 
"As measured by the production of grain, the cf 
tieieney of farm labor in the United States increased to 
per cent in the 10 years following 1870. In 1920, as 
compared with 1870, 12 per cent fewer persons engaged 
in agriculture in New York State, using eight per cent 
fewer acres, produced 11 tier cent more crops. In the 
-Hi years following 1870. the number of dairy cows in 
the State decreased one per cent, hut the total quantity 
of milk increased.51 per cent. In 20 years following 
JO# RURAL NEW-YORKER 
1 $80, poultry increased 51 per cent, but the number of 
eggs increased 120 per cent. From 1870 to 1010. the 
average quantity of wool per sheep increased 4.0 lbs. to 
7 lbs., or 40 per cent. These figures are full of mean¬ 
ing as to the farmer's increasing capacity." 
Mr. Snpiro. who has been attorney for a number of 
Western co-operative associations, said it was not 
enough to organize local co-operatives, hut that these 
must be merged into a federation for marketing. Locals 
are essential for proper production and standardized 
packing and grading, but. when it comes to distribution, 
as great a control as possible over any one crop must be 
exercised to build up markets and to distribute ship¬ 
ments. If locals handling similar products try to mar¬ 
ket of tlieir own initiative, there is confusion in the 
city markets and a general disorganization of ef¬ 
ficiency. The trouble with farmers is that they have 
thought about selling from the producing end of the 
game rather than from the marketing end." 
At the morning session Friday a resolution was passed 
urging the appropriation of $5,000 by the Legislature 
for carrying on of experiments to determine compara¬ 
tive benefit of spraying and dusting orchards against 
insect pests. The resolution, also urged a State-wide 
campaign against the ravages of the Gypsy moth. A 
proposed resolution indorsing the St. Lawrence ship 
canal was laid on the table after President T. E. Cross 
had stated that he knew the sentiment of the members 
from the Hudson Valley section wa.s Jieartily opposed 
to the project. 
Secretary Roy P. McPherson, of I.e Roy. said the 
convention had been a successful one, particularly from 
the standpoint of the machinery, truck and farm snp- 
-1 Rocky Rood in New York State 
plies exhibitors, who reported considerable sales. The 
attendance was not up to expectations, about t>00 men 
registering, but Mr. McPherson thought the heavy snow¬ 
fall kept a number away. 
The same officers fur 1922 were elected as have served 
for 1921. They are: T, E. Cross, president, Lagrange 
ville. N. \. : J. It. Pease, tirst vice-president, Gasport, 
N. Y.; F \Y. Cornwall, second vii e-president. Pultnoy- 
ville, X. 1.; It. (!. Wilson, third vice-president. Water- 
port. N. Y.; (4. Case, fourth vice-president, Sodus, 
N. Y ; Roy P. McPherson, secretary-treasurer, I.e Roy. 
N. Y. The executive committee for 1922 are: W. 
Tenbroeck, Hudson. N. Y.; G. W. Dunn, Webster, 
X. Y.: <;. S. Wilson. Hall. X. Y.; W. R. Clarke, Mil¬ 
ton, N. Y.: Theodore J. Smith, Geneva, N. Y. 
The Poetry of a Rocky Road 
The picture on this page shows the exact condition 
of a road in New York State over which farmers 
must travel and haul their produce. Mr. Merwin, 
v ho sends us the accompanying poetical description, 
says he wrote to the local editor, but could not 
secure publication. The supervisor who seems re¬ 
sponsible for this road is a leading politician and 
business man, Mr. Merwin says that we may not 
want to print his verses on their merit as “poetry,” 
hut “you perhaps might do so in the interest of 
truth." And so here are the verses, with the picture. 
Perhaps this poetry will help where rather profane 
prose has failed. 
Here’s a typical crossroad; it’s a hard road to travel, 
it’s rougher than blazes, and not very level. 
If you follow its windings, better slacken your pace. 
Or you’ll think you’ve arrived at the jumping-off place. 
A lady once called it but then she was mad— 
"The roughest old road iu the country." IV dad ! 
It answered that title she gave to the letter, 
Aud ever since then it’s been growing no better. 
A stranger passed through and was heard to cry: 
“Can it! 
Ilere-’s a bridge and a stream, but the bridge doesn’t 
span it.” 
1 here is room ’neath the bridge so the water could 
flow there, 
lint nothing is done to induce it to go there. 
The town board has seen it; the county man, too; 
They ve viewed it aud reviewed—give the devil his due. 
till 
But requests for improvements they greet with a 
frown. 
“ ’Twould be too expensive—it’s too far from town!" 
They smooth up the main roads from one town to 
another, 
So they don’t give the joyriders om* bit of bother. 
But when they “smooth" this road, thev dig up the 
stones 
And let them remain there ro torture your bones, 
Whenever you journey with carriage or flivver, 
And its mudholes in Springtime resemble a river. 
When the creek gets to raging and brings on disaster, 
I hey fence off a strip of the neighboring pasture. 
Nor trouble to smooth out a hump nor a hollow, 
A rig passes through and the others all follow. 
I hits making a road good enough for us farmers— 
We’re a bunch of poor sapheads and foolish alarmers. 
What’s a few thousand bushels of spuds to be hauled, 
A thrashing machine or a farm wagon stalled. 
Compared to the progress over well-kept highways 
Of jolly joyriders iu shining coupes? 
Such conditions as those give us cause for reflection, 
And the remedy Hps by th** wav of election. 
In choosing officials, seek other material 
' '•an a lot of poor fellows all ready for burial. 
It’ you’ll travel this road, you’ll have no hesitation 
In declaring it a disgrace to civilization— 
For it’s hard on the auto - tires, tough on the feet; 
If s a rough road to travel; it’s—well! and repeat! 
FRED MERWIN. 
Agricultural Co-operation in Maryland 
January 11 the writer had the pleasure of attending 
one session of the Maryland Agricultural Society and 
kindred organizations at Baltimore, this being the time 
when all seven of these various farm organizations were 
holding their annual meetings. The particular object I 
bad in view was to get a line, if possible, on the present 
status of the co-operative idea among the Eastern farm¬ 
ers there represented. 
Having heard or read but very little in the farm 
papers relative to co-operation here in the East. I had 
the impression that the co-operative idea had scarcely 
made any headway whatever among our Maryland 
brethren. In fact, I thought that our brothers iu the 
Best aud Central West were far in advance of us along 
that particular Hup. I know now that this impression 
must have been mostly due to the fact that Western 
men have not been so backward in telling and writing 
about the results of their work. Imagine my surprise 
t.- find n big hall iu a swell Baltimore hotel iilled with 
500 or more bright, healthy looking business men. who 
were really farmers, listening eagerly and enthusias¬ 
tically to the various speakers, everyone of whom used 
the word co-operation as his keynote. Ir was certainly 
a revelation to me. A little later, at the meeting of the 
Agricultural Corporation of Maryland, the new State¬ 
wide fanners’ buying and selling company. I sat utterly 
astonished, listening to reports of little local and com¬ 
munity co-operative organizations scattered nearly all 
over the State, whe* had saved their members many 
thousands of dollars in a single season. I could hardly 
believe my’ own ears. It seems that the most of them 
had centered their efforts on the purchase of fertilizers 
in large quantities. It was certainly an eye-opener to 
hear members of little local groups of 100 or'200 farmers 
each tell how they had saved from $20,000 to $70,000 
for their organization members this last year alone. In 
almost every case they did it all just through buying 
lime and fertilizers co-operatively. Sitting there listen¬ 
ing, I couldn’t help thinking if one little group of farm¬ 
ers in one community can save from $20,000 to $70,000 
in a single season on this one item of fertilizers, where 
is the limit of possible savings if eveu half the farmers 
of this one State could aud would combine and buy 
their pritipal necessities co-operatively every year, 
to say nothing of what they could save by using the 
same organization to sell their products in the same 
way. The figures are almost unbelievable, and the 
beauty of it all is that the other fellow, be he the pro¬ 
ducer of what we have to buy or the consumer of what 
wc have to sell, would not get his pocketbook nerve 
injured in the least. Rut of course a few useless mid¬ 
dlemen would lose their easy profits. The necessary 
middleman has little to fear from co-operation among 
farmers. 
I was especially interested to note how very closely 
the division of the consumer’s dollar, as figured by Mr. 
Bryan, president of the Agricultural Corporation, and 
The U. X.-Y. corresponded. Tiie It. N.-Y. has been 
telling ns about the M-Tcent dollar, and here Mr. Bryan 
tells us about a 29-cent dollar. lie explained very 
clearly just what became of the other 01 cents. Ni> 
need to repeat that explanation here, for it is an old 
story to It. N.-Y. readers. Rut it seemed to be new to 
these Marylanders. 
Though the writer has had years of active experi¬ 
ence as member and officer of several co-operative or¬ 
ganizations in the West, he is free to say that, in his 
opinion, this big. new Maryland farmers’ company has 
much the best plait of organization and operation of 
any State-wide society of the kind that be knows. Some 
one has certainly put a lot of thought and study iuto 
getting it into shape and making it the going concern 
that it already is. It surely deserves the hearty sup¬ 
port of every farmer iu its territory. There must have 
been some of THE R. N.-Y. family there, for the idea 
that we “must do it ourselves" was mentioned several 
times. JOSEPH H. TLBBS. 
Conditions in Russian Relief 
I Most of us know very little about what is going on 
in Russia. Now and then some incident comes through 
•from the country where co-operation seems to be 
enforced with a shotgun. One of our readers in Michi¬ 
gan relates this incident, showing how personal relief 
funds are handled:] 
We have a neighbor who, with his brother and their 
families came here perhaps 10 years ago. leaving a 
father in Russia. This Winter they sent $27 worth 
of clothing over there, and because ir was seat ns goods 
from this country direct to an individual, their govern¬ 
ment couldn't take it from him for apportioning among 
their people, aud so it had to be sent back In a letter 
their father wrote, he said they were living ou roots 
and herbs; although he had had wheat, the government 
took it all, and they were obliged to eat the seed. Their 
next neighbor kept theirs, aud the whole family were 
shot. Wheat that Mr. F. has had to sell here for $1 is 
$9 iu Russia, aud they can’t buy it if the money was 
sent. 
