The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-05-21
DeLand, Fla, Wednesday. May II. 1890.

Fruit Exchange; F. W. Rolt, Interlachen; Dud-
ley w. Adams President of the Florida Horticul-
tural Society, Tangerine j. Russell Kennedy OF
the Palatka Times Geo. w. Wilson, President of
the Semi Tropical Ocala; G. w. Brown, Ocala;
Horace H. Day. of Sgobel & Day, New York
Agents of the Fruit Exchange; B. G. Campbell,
F. G. Sampson, Boardman G. V. Hillyer, Fer
nandina; A. Greenleaf; J. F. McAbee; Stephen
Powers Editor Florida Dispatch Hon. Walter
Gwynn, Sanford; JAS. Scott; Jas. Stype; John
Harshberger Geo. V. MacDomick; H. L. Pinley;
Ivey Royal; H. Berger Albert Faber; Geo. j.
Smith; Damon Greenleaf, ice-President of the
Fruit Exchange; w. Waldron, Harwood; G. B.
Smith, Jacksonville N. G. Robbins; Robt Bax-
The next thing in order was
THE PRESIDENTS ANNUAL ADDRESS
which Mr.. McKibbin read as follows:
Gentlemen: At the commencement OF the
second year of our organization, we glance
back over our first years work, and it's results
with interest and profit. While we must feel a
Just pride in what we have accomplished in the
work of uniting the orange growers, and the
material results of such unity while we can con-
gratulate ourselves on our success in greatly in-
fuencing an increased price for product
still our success has not been as great as we all
had hoped for, indeed have every reason to
pect Let see what we have accomplished and
wherein we have failed, and try to find out the
cause of the failures.
A little less than year ago our Union was or
ganized with membership of fifty eight to-day
we have over sixty local Unions and member
ship of than 1900 representing at least half
million boxes of oranges. Through the infu-
ence of the Union the consignment of fruit to
commission merchants was reduced last season
fully 60 per cent and the average price realized
was increased about 20 per cent. This not only
refers to the fruit controlled by the Union and
handled by the Fruit Exchange, but believe
holds good with the entire crop of the State.
Through the Union influence in reducing consign-
ments on commission, more than 60 per cent,
of the entire crop sold at the groves. These
are tangible results directly attributable to our
Unions influence.
Now, as to it's influence on the business of our
agency, the Fruit Exchange. For the season of
1SSS-s9 the Exchange marketed 157, 900 boxes of
oranges, ~the increase over the previous season
being 40 per cent. Allowing this to be the natural
past season 100000 boxes deduct from this
amount the loss of at least 100, 900 boxes from it's
old patrons, account of rates at home, it
would leave the Exchange from it's usual support
and natural increase only 100000 boxes but it
handled and sold 24O, 900 boxes, showing that the
support of the Union increased the business of
the Exchange about 100 per cent. Had it not
been for the sale of the fruit at home btieve the
Union would have been instrumental in giving
to the Exchange nearly 200 boxes of or
anges and as a consequence we would have rea-
lized still more for fruit.
Just here it may be appropriate to ask your
careful consideration of this matter of home
sales. cannot but believe, after fully discussing
the subject you will agree with me that home
sales must be discouraged certain to lead to
disastrous results if continued. We're it possible
to establish a standard price for our oranges
throughout the State, and that price large
enough to pay us for Our labor and airinterest
on our investment and if every grower would
pledge himself to sell only at home, I would
heartily support home sale. But from the nature