The San Francisco call., 1899-12-15

manage the organization. II they do come high.
IL VIII AL come back IN Increased prices The
directors of The Raisin Growers Association
10y their business Judgment compelled the wine
men 10 advance the price OF the surplus raisn
grapes that ara sold 10 wineries IS per ton. or
secured the growers about sle5,yyo This year
the price Of raisins was increased ~ cents per
pound. giving an increased profit 10 the growers
OF $4,000.
After the reading Of Mr.. kearney's pa
per the hOrticulturists were treated TO an
intellectual feast in the shape OF an ar
gument between A. II. NaftZger. presi-
dent OF the Southern California Fruit Ex-
changes. ana the manager Of the Raisin
Growers Association.
Mr.. Naftzger thought that the commits
sion men should be- eliminated at one
stroke. They were dangerous bedfellows
for the growers, he declared. His organ
ization had been successful because of the
elimination Of the Spectators. At first
shippers and packers were in the associa-
uon. and they controlled 90 per cent OF
the crop. After these objectionable forces
had been gotten rid of they still controlled
- per cent OF the crop
Mr.. kearney held that II was best 10 do
away with the commission men gradually
as the growers became acquainted with
the business.
Alexander Gordon Of Fresno and others
Joined in the discussion.
Judge Lewis made a motion that the
address OF 4. II. Naftzger OF the day be-
fore on "CO-OperatiOu Among Citrus Fruit
Growers" and that OF Mr.. kea-ney OF that
morning be published in pamphlet form
for the education of the growers. j. r.
Lewis, W. u. Aiken and Alexander Cor
don were appointed a committee 10 report
on the matter.
Colonel Philo Hersey president OF the
Santa Clara County Fruit Association. eX-
tended an invitation 10 the convention 10
visit the packing house Of the association.
The invitation was accepted. and 1870
clock tomorrow afternoon set as the
time for the visit.
Mr.. kearney introduced two resolutions
one denounclng the recent treaties inim-
lcal 10 fruit interests, and the other in
favor OF a pure-fOod law. They were re-
ferred 10 a committee.
At the opening Of the afternoon session
tickets were given out for the excursion
10 Stanford University Saturday morning
4 paper on New Fruit Creations 10y
Luther Burbank Of Santa Rosa was read
10y Professor j.. ]. Flower. II stated that
the fruit grower Of to-day must have the
ability TO adapt himself TO new methods
new fruits and new markets. BY means
OF cold storage and rapid transit the
finest fruit OF every land can be found
IN the market With the old world as
a market competition Is keen and only
the best fruit In the best condition will
pay. Fortunately IL generally costs much
less per ton to produce large. first-class
fruit than TO produce the poorest and
meanest specimens that are ever offered.
Small fruit eXhausts the tree more rapid
~ than large frult, as one pound of skin,
stones and seeds represents ten or twelve
pounds Of fruit pulp. ii will thus be seen
that improved varieties which produce
uniformly fine fruit are more economical
The tree that needs a great deal OF prun-
ing 10 keep II In proper form and vigorous
growth should be replaced by one of bet
ter habit or growth, FOR every ton OF wood
taken from the orchard represents as
much In weight Of fruit. He discussed the
merits and defects OF his own fruft Dro-
ducuOns and intrOductions. He had been
laboring constantly for sixteen years in
producing fruits and berries. The paper
was applauded.
Professor Emory +. Smith gave a prac-
ticable talk on the Napalea section of
the Opontia, spineless cactus. the fruit
OF which Is extensively used in southern
Europe. lie exhibited specimens OF leaves
and fruit IL was predicted that the fruit
would come into general use I'm this coun-
try in few years. II is a good fodder
for cattle. being very nutritious The
cactus grows without moisture and -four
ishes on rocky hillsides. From eight to
ten tons can be produced 10 the acre. and
IL Is very useful. II can be eaten in its
ripe state used i'm MAXIM iellies and
used as dye or colOring matter IL IS
the most gorgeous table fruit IN color that
exists Picked in the early morning il
remains cool all day. The life OF the
plant is about fifty years. Professor
Smith now has several specimens grow
ing at his home at the university
Chairman Lewis of the committee on
the printing Of the address OF NJ Kearney
reported IL had decided to print 20 90
copies in pamphlet form at a cost of $40
The convention instructed the COMMITTEES
10 proceed with the work.
The committee on transportation and
IOlUMlnR
port, which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved. That this convention voice the nro-
test OF the fruit growers of California against
the grossly unjust and discriminating policy
inauEurafed and forced upon us by the trans
nOrtatlon com. anies.
Resolved. further That this convention rem
reEenting all classes Of fruit growers hereby
extends sympathy and every aid in its power
10 the growers OF green and citrus fruits who
are the direct sufferers under the wrongful poll
icy above referred TO. and we believe that the
wrOnged growers should pursue vigorously every
lawful means within their power TO compel the
correction of the evil. and pledge our ear
nest support in every such effort
Resolved That dsapprove and denounce
as unjust and Ubiquitous the existing private
car line system 10 which shipments are
farmed out by the railroad companies and "a
which shippers are compelled TO pay tribute
and we urge the railroad companies 10 provide
suitable equipment or permit the fruit growers
20 do so for all fruit shipments free from the
domination OF any individual or private cor
poration and available 10 all shippers on equal
terms.