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

of things, our wisest course, greatest safety and
surestp profit liesin one system of distribution and
sale. Thepast season has demonst I'll lted that the
best system of selling is by auction-that the
concentration of the fruit into but few markets
gives the best results.
In what has the Union failed? In not attract
ing the support of q larger number of growers; in
not securing more efficient and careful trans
portation system; in not being able to control
the bulk of the crop, and therefore the proper dis
trbution of it, according to the needs OF the vari
Gus markets, thus securing prices. Why has not
the Union received the active support of the grow
ers generally Not because of ant agonism to it but
on the contrary it has received the approval of
the majority of the growers and all admit that
to it's influence is due the generally satisfactory
results of our past season. 1 think the answer to
this question: is "home sales" Being able to read
lily dispose of their fruit at home, the growers
failed to realize theimportance of joining the or
ganization that alone had put it in their power
to sell their fruit at home. With their usual
short sightedness they did not realize the fact
that there are other seasons to come, other crops
to sell, and because they were able to dispose of
their crop of the past to their satisfaction
it does not follow that they can doso the coming
seasons. Failing to receive the active support of
the majority of the grower, we OF course failed to
receive the bulk of their fruit, and, as a conse-
quence, were not able to effect any greatimprove-
ment in transportation methods, much to
disappointment. But only by the power ofconcen-
tration and efficient organization can such re-
form be brought about; trust this convention
will carefully consider this subject of organiza-
ton, and lay down line of policy that will draw
into the Union every orange grower in the State,
and enlist their hearty and active support.
1 suggest, for your consideration, the estab-
lishment of a packing house system throughout
the State, so that secure uniform stan
dard of grading, sizing and packing our oranges;
this, together with the fact that such system
will enable us to ship straight lines Gnstead of,
as at present, small lots of various grades and
sizes) insuring higher prices for fruit in the
market. This system should be under the con-
troll of the Union, as regards the grading, sizing
and packing of the fruit. Each community
should form a stock company for the building
and equipment of the packing house, thus max
ing the tax on the individual grower lighter than
if he built his packing house. Very few of the
growers at present have proper facilities for pack
ing their fruit, and to this cause is due much of
the slovenly packing, and also is a cause of fruit
being so damaged IN nandlnS tnat 1t decays be-
fore reaching the market
The business relations of the Union to the Fruit
Exchange the past season have, believe, been
generally satisfactory Considering that our
interests involved in the success of the Ex-
change, it is but appropriate that should
make such suggestions to that organization in
regard to it's policy would tend to it's greater
efficiency and success am certain that any sug-
gestiOns this convention may offer will receive
the careful consideration of the Exchange.
There is one important point in this connection
that calls for our consideration and action. That
is the capitalization of the Exchange. You will
remember that at the Palatka convent on of
June 7th last, the Union insisted that the Ex-
change pledge itself to issue but one share of
stock to any one person, and that only to actual
orange growers. We hoped by this policy to Sc
cure the protection of every stock holder from the
possibility of the management being controlled
by large blocks OF stock. in the hands of few
persons-to induce every grower to take one
share of the STOCK thus giving to each individual