The record-union., 1899-12-14
The Leading Topic Of Debate at Yesterdays
Session Of the Convention.
Initial Steps Taken Toward the
Organization of Growers for
Self Protection Decided to
Hold a State Convention at San
Jose in January Next to Fur
Their Consider the Matter.

SAN JOSE, Dec. 13.-The attendance
Mt the second days session of the Hor-
ticultural Convention when it opened
this morning was large.
A. H. Noftzger, President of the Cit
rus Fruit-growers' Union of Southern
California, made a rafting speech In
connection with the work of his asso-
citation. The keynote was organization
and union. He held that the fruit
growers of the State, no matter wheth-
er raising prunes, oranges, grapes or
what not, should get together in a
body. He believed they should man
ufacture their own boxes, and even
nails and paper used in boxes and
packing.
The speech created great enthusiasm,
and was received with marked atten-
ton.
Professor c. w. Childs of this place
spoke of the proposed prune combine.
He urged it most earnestly.
E. F. Adams of Wrights, of the COM
mittee on the free market project on
the water front in San Francisco, re-
ported of the years work. He said
great opposition had been encountered
from many sources, and that the mar
ket had been a failure. One cause as
signed was the determined opposition
of a big steamship company which he
named. A committee was named to
take up the report and see what could
be done, if anything.
Adams resigned his connection with
the management committee.
AT the convention this afternoon
Professor A. P. Hayne of Berkeley de-
livered an address upon Prospective
Competition from the Philippine ISL
ands."
The speaker said that from personal
observations as a Government Commits
sioner he had become convinced that
the islands could not become a serious
competitor in any kind of agricultural
products with this country. The Fill
pinos do not even produce enough rice
for their own consumption. and import
100000 pounds every year from
China. AS regards citrus fruits. Pro
fessor Hayne said that they were of so
poor quality in the islands as scarcely
to be fit to use. Good lemons are in
urgent demand there, as we'll as
oranges, and instead of being a COM
petitor, it was predicted that that
region would soon become a fine market
for larger quantities of citrus fruits of
America
The discussion of organization was
resumed, and there were strong express
sions in favor of cooperation in the
marketing of dried fruits.
At a special meeting held after the
close of the regular convention proceed
ings it was by a unanimous vote de-
cided to call a State Convention of
fruit growers, to be held in this city on
the third Monday in January next. The
contract of the Pacific Coast Prune AS
ISOLATION was approved, and it was the
sense of the meeting that at the COM
ing State convention definite steps
should be taken toward combination in
the marketing of the dried fruit pro-
duct.
As regards the details of organiza-
ton, john S. Dore of Fresno said he
approved the contract of the Pacific
Coast Fruit Association, with the sug-
gested amendment that there should
be no temporizing with other interests
IN the way of allowing any member to
divide up his product with any other
association.
This is not done at Los Angeles, as
Mr.. Naftzger has told u.s." said the
speaker The contract must be
1ronclad in this, as in other particulars
The combine must handle all a mans
crop, or none at ALL
This sentiment was much applauded.
Other speakers were in favor of ad-
hitting to the association growers OF
all kinds of dried fruits, and perhaps
extending 1T to almonds and other
kinds of nuts.
A. r. Sprague spoke upon the sub
1ect OF ways and means of raising
money to support the association.
Judge Aiken said this would be a
question for the proposed convention TO
discuss and decide upon.
The meeting then adjourned, with ex-
pressions of congratulation upon all
sides upon the fine results that had
been attained.
Members of the convention from that
section are making strong fight to
secure the next convention for Marys-
vile.
In the evening the visiting fruit
growers We're given a reception, which
included musical exercises and the
serving of refreshments. The enter.