Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-07-23
NEWT FARMEnS INSTITUTE.
Discussing Peaches and Their Shipment
Parson Wills Has a Remedy for Vel

Discussing Peaches and Their Shipment
Parson Wills Has Remedy for yell
iows--Freight Rates and Delays In Ship.
ment--A Committee TO Rectify Both.
81 o ial Correspondence Gazette and journal.
MILFORD, July 22.-The regular monthly
meeting of the Kent County Farmers In
stitute was held yesterday afternoon at the
farm OF John j. Rosa at the outskirts of
town, and was attended by.fully 100 repre-
sentative farmers Of the county; There
was also many from Cedar Creek hundred
and Sussex county. In the absence of the
president, e. IL. Bancroft, Thomas b.
Coursey was called to the chair. The
resignation of Mr.. Bancroft was read by
Secretary Wesley Webb and accepted by
the institute. Mr.. Coursey was elected
president and Mr.. ]. ]. Rosa was chosen
70 ill the vacancy caused by the promo
ton of Mr.. Coursey. There were no set
speeches or essays, and after routine bust
ness subjects of importance TO the farmer,
fruit grower and agriculturist were dis
cussed.
The discussion was opened by ]. 8.
Willis, who started the ball to rolling TAX
ing as basis of his impromptu talk, the
"1ellows." After a few introductory re-
marks he said that he thought cure could
be erected for this disease that is fast eat
ing its way into the large and most beauti-
full peach country in the world and that
he had made an experiment on five trees
at his home farm, which is in sight of Mr..
Rosa's, and invited the members over to
look at the trees upon which he had ex-
perimented. When he began the trees
were covered with that willowy
growth all of which he cut off
after which three-quarters of an inch
inches above the ground, the mixture,
which is powder, applied and the hole
corked up. That was last fall. This year
the tree shows no signs of the yellows and
is laden with fruit, none of which Is
premature. Mr.. Willis said he would not
give his mixture ont yet as sure cure, but
after another years experiment, if he was
as successful as this time, he would give
his remedy to the world.
Several of the members, among them
the president, I. b. Coursey, J. j. Rosa,
Dr.. Nathan Pratt, j. B. Cleayer, B. F. b.
Woodall and others, gave their experience
with the yellows, which was about the
same as has been quoted in these columns
on previous occasion when the yellows
were discussed by the institute.
The question as to whether premature
fruit is injurious to health was briefly
treated by the institute during the discus
cussion of which DR.. Pratt said the
peaches are hard, dry and not at all nutri-
tious nor digestible.
The freight charges by the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company was taken up and dis
cussed at length, and from figures quoted
the cost of shipping green fruit over this
DIVISION is about fifteen times as high as
the general merchandise rate Why is
this? was asked. It does not cost fifteen
times as much for the company to get in
readiness to handle the freight as it does
for other freight. In fact, Il was said that
all the expense the company went to was
the shelving of the cars, as they did not
employ any help to load the cars, as they
do for other goods, but expect the shipper
to load his own fruit, and the farmer suf-
fers from carelessness at the hands of the
railroad company. An instance was
cited that occurred az the depot
here only few days ago, when
part of a car load of peaches and apples
were thrown to the floor and really ruined
as far as marketing was concerned, caused
by an engineer carelessly running his
train into the car, instead OF backing
slowly, as he should have. Several men
standing in the car at the time were
thrown down and one or two bruised
somewhat. The delays were also dis
cussed, and especially the delay in the re-
trrn Of berry crates, which, it Is said, is
caused by neglect at Smyrna, as the crates
are sent back that far and there they stay.
Several of the gentlemen present, who are
large shippers Of small fruit, said that a
part Of their berry crates were not yet re-
turned, and of course this incurs great
expense on the shipper, as new ones have
to, be bought nearly every year and takes
all the profit out of the business.
The institute was surprised at a state
ment made by Mr.. 7. J. Smith, near Har-
rington, that the fruit shipped BY express
from this branch road did not 20 straight
through as they thought it did, but was al
ways laid OFF at Harrington to wait for the
express from the main division, and often
times the train is late and the delay caused
thereby often amounts to several hours.
II was asked what could be done to pre-
vent these delays and neglect on the part
OF the railroad and express companies. and
after several suggestions committee of
tve, including the president as chairman,
was appointed to wait upon the railroad
magnates and see if something could not
be done.
DR.. Pratt was of the opinion that 1t was
not wholly due to the railroad company
for the neglect mentioned but thought that
it was due to the neglect and carelessnes
on the part of the employees. OF course
the company is responsible for the actions
OF its agents but he thought it could and
would be remedied if the proper parties
were notified.
The institute adjourned to meet on
August 18th, subject to change, at Spring
Branch camp ground, when the members
OF the grange and Farmers Alliance will
be invited to join in a days jollitication.
A committee consisting of L. b. Coursey,
b, +, d. WoQdall,tJ. J. Rosa, Wesley Webb
and q. w, killen We're appointed to ar.
range programme for the day, which