The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-21

1
| Secretary Thomas then read letter
| from Frank II. Lindsay of Helena in
| which he regretted his inability to at
tend. Mr.. Lindsay. however, enclosed
a paper upon Small Fruits from the
! Commission Mans Standpoint" The
secretary read the paper which began
| by enjoining fruit growers upon the
necessity of a uniform package Last
| season there were three different sizes
| used for Strawberries. 1t should be
| avoided, as II leads to confusion. He
considered the oregon box, which
holds one pound of berries, the best
for shipping purposes. Growers should
at the commencement of the season
pick out a reliable man in each town TO
whom to ship. and ship 10 that man all
through the season. and If all growers
would notify the commission man from
day to day what quantity of berries
they expect TO have for shipment the
following day it would be great help.
The time is coming when the berry
growers of the Bitter Root valley must
do what berry growers in the most
successful districts have done. viz
Work together for their mutual advan-
tage. by shipping together under the
direction of a competent man, whose
duty IL is to look up the markets. One
of the most successful organizations of
this kind is che Fruit Growers union
nearly all of the immense crop of
Strawberries that is annually grown
there. He believed that before long
Bitter Root growers would find II
necessary to pursue some step of this
kind.
Considerable discussion followed. af-
ter which A. HollenSteiner of 10 Lo
read paper upon the Present and
Future of Fruit Growing" Judge
Woody was unable to be present and
Mr.. Hollensteiner supplied his place.
He said that success in fruit growing
can only be attained by the exercise of
great care and a careful study of the
conditions essential to the growth of
young orchards. Stringent measures
should be adopted to protect Mon
tana's infant orchards against the in
sect pests. Mr.. Hollensteiner recon-
mended legislation in this respect.
Adjournment followed until the even
ing session
In Old Kentucky" occupied the
boards at the opera house tonight and
as result the Fruit Growers associa-
ton held its evening session at the
court house. Notwithstanding the
strength of counter attractions the at
tendance was good and the delibera-
tons Of the meeting were of an inter
esting and highly intelligent nature.
The several papers introduced showed
Sdi'Aui ana contained
valuable suggestions. II was s o'clock
when the meeting was called to order
by MIR. Harlan. First came a splendid
paper by Hon. w. L. Bass of Stevens
vile. Last season was the most un-
favorable ever known in this state on
account Of the late spring frosts and
extremely dry weather, said the speak
er, but from the six railroad stations
of RaValli county more than 500 900
pounds of green fruit were shipped.
The ques ton is often asked by farmers,
What aged trees are best to buy for
orchard purposes. | would always al
wise orchardists to buy good well
shaped and matured three or four-year-
old trees / would never set out less
than fOur-year-olds Of winter varieties
He believed a nursery man could much
better care for cultivable species and
fight insects than an inexperienced
farmer. Much annoyance and disap-
pointment had been caused in this
country by buying fruit trees from un-
known agents. Many people had found
that they did not have a variety they
ordered. Last season there were prob
ably more than 40, 900 fruit trees shipped
to the Bitter Root from Western New
York, and he knew that at least 5000
more will be shipped from there the
coming spring. Many of these were in
fected with woolly aphis. Now, If these
eastern nurserymen were stocking this
country with woolly aphis the people
ought to know It. In the matter of dis
eliminating i'm freight rates the pres
ent schedules from this section to Hell
ena, Butte and Anaconda deserve at
tention. The rates from Utah, Wash
ington and Idaho points to the Same
Montana points are almost equal. Sew
eral classes of local vegetables had
been shut out almost entirely.
Next came Judge Francis with a
carefully prepared speech upon
Freight and Express Rates on Ber-
ries." 1t was a scholarly efferot. deliv-
cred I'm the judges happiest vein and
Astounding in valuable statistics and
practical suggestions. The line of ar
gument presented was in favor of low
er rates to the fruit grower. but one of
the things that operated against such a
plan was the interstate commerce law.
In many instances the railroad COM
panies made but little money out of
carrying fruits and berries. He did not
believe there was any intention on the
part of railroads to operate against any
particular section.
The statement made by Mr.. williams
that cheaper rates lessened the price of
the product to the consumer struck him
as being decidedly practical. and he ia
vored any project that would result
beneficially to this magnificent state
and its people.
Ii. ii. Grant of Grantsdale then pre-
scented an able paper on Mixed Or
charding." Perhaps the most interest
ing event Of the evening was the paper
of Mrs. NJ. S. Emery upon "Housekeep-
ers' Society" IL was listened to with
rapt attention, and was an intellectual
production. Mrs. Emery's effort abound
ed in sparkling smiles and witticism
The housekeepers' society was not so
foreign to the needs of a fruitgrowers'
association, for society among other
topics treats upon the preservatio and
preparation of fruits. so while YOU
plant and grow fruit. Ne will can and
store away toothsome dainties to tickle
your lordly palates." The Montana
Housekeepers' society is the outgrowth
of desire TO gain ideas in regard to
advanced housekeeping. The state So
ciety has already held six meetings and
has a membership Of 80 besides one
auxiliary society at Manhattan
Among the excellent papers presented
during the evening We're those of Pav