The San Francisco call., 1899-12-13


ticuiture. In 1892 the convention met in this
that time. There has been much discourage
ment TO fruitgrowers by reason OF the financial
ing the past three years. but Notwithstanding
the drawbacks. great advances have been made
that concern the fruit problems Radical
changes must, of necessity, be slow because
the great body OF people IN any vocation are
critical and cautious OF new methods or any
deviation from old-time customs. New condi-
tions require new modes to meet them TO De
successful We must adapt our methods TO the
necessity that confronts us.
The greatest difficulty We have TO overcome
Is proper distribution OF our fruits. This
question has been discussed at every conven-
ton for the past fifteen years. At our last
meeting i recommended that agents. selected
from among our fruit growers or those con-
Nersant with our fruit interests, be employed
10 travel through the different sections where
fruit can be sold. arrange with responsible mer-
camille houses 20 sell the fruits. TO hx the
prices. 20 hold meetings where II may be nee
essary and exhibit TO certain extent what we
have for sale: give information how 10 COOK
the dried fruits by distributing the bulletin OF
Professor childs published by the board
few years ago; In other words TO educate the
people In what is to their interest as well as 10
determine the quantity that each market will
take at fair price TO the producers. To ar
SO as TO prevent overstocking deuressed
prices. To be successful we must control the
agents could work in the interests OF our every
product. small per cent OF the commissions
paid would be sufficient 10 meet the expense:
such a plan would give US better railroad fscil-
tiles: competition among the common car
riers would ensure the best possible terms and
the best time In transit. and all rebates would
come TO the producers.
Ian McLaren. in giving his impressions OF
American character. formed on recent visit
TO the United States. speaks OF a shadow on
American public life. The money-getting spirit
predominates and all men, with few excep-
lack OF 4 high state of commercial honor ser1-
ously affects the public mind. and where II will
end the future alone can determine. II Is the
universal opinion among fruit growers that the
best success can only be obtained by co-opera-
tion. unity and concentration. and yet Il has
been stated In public discussion by Intelligent
fruitgrowers that they were convinced that con
centration was impossible. Why? There can
be only one conclusion-that is a want OF con-
fdence either in ability TO sell own
products or a dis;rust OF fair dealing by those
trusted with the management. Yet while we
distrust each other we trust people whom we
have never seen and who manage products
and grow rich by our industry and labor. Com
blnations are not always formed for the best
interests OF the producers. A close examination
will discover either great lack OF business
tact or create a doubt as TO the strict honesty
Of the managers.
The report then referred to the organi-
Zation OF the Walnut Growers Associa-
ton OF Southern California. The associa-
tions combined and fixed prices for last
years crop. Previous TO that each associ-
alton fixed its own prices. The plan OF the
Walnut Association was detailed. Presi-
dent Cooper stated he was pleased with
the plan OF the Fresno Raisin Growers
Association.
The subject Of insect pests was treated
at length. II has received the attention
OF all conventions. Great advance had
been made in combating the destructive
enemies. The San Jose scale. which
is scarcely known to-day. Later the
Isyrea Purchase, or white scale, threat
ened the citrus industry in Southern Cali
fornia: to-day there is not a citrus grow
er that fears the enemy. Then the black
scale and purple scale were noted. 1t
was stated that reports from Hawaii
were TO the effect that the purple scale
has been destroyed by ladybug.
An agent was sent to the islands to pro-
/ cure colonies OF this ladybug 10 be distri-
buted in the infected districts. Only a
/ few specimens could be obtained and the
l problem had TO be solved by propagating
! the specimens sent here.
Te referred to an address made years
! ago at Fresno. in which 1t was urged
/ that sufficient appropriation be made
I and special bureaus be established as
! part of the State Board OF Horticulture
/ for investigation Of predaceous insects
and parasites. Recently a worm, like the
army worm. has been destroying alfalfa
! fields by thousands OF acres in the Middle
West; also OF the attack on beetfields. 1t
and cause great loss to the sugar beet
! industry and also to alfalfa fields Of the
San Joaquin Valley.
Goblin moth is probably more generally
]
than any other fruit pest, and no doubt
causes greater loss than any other pest.
In many places the growing OF apples and
/ pears has been abandoned on account OF
/ it. yet not dollar has been appropriated
\ 10 investigate or TO search for a possible
enemy TO keep II in check.
Tho report continued:
When nature plants a forest she makes no
! mistakes. She plants the right trees in the
1 right place: flowers, animals bulbous roots
! Towering shrubs and vines all flourish in their
brute animals materially disturb IT, at least
/ until invaded by man II we wish to succeed
/ we must follow nature and maintain the same
/ balance as created
! spent in the search for the enemies OF the
destroyers OF our fruits. We have an agent
/ George Compere. now travelling with Albert
! Koebele. who is In the service OF the Hawaiian
/ Government. compere had been heard from
| at Suva Fill. October ls last He had
/ made several discoveries. and ! am very hope
! full that some important finds will be the re-
suit OF his trip II Is the intention OF the
! president. providing the other Commissioners
J agree to II. TO send Compere to Southern
! lin moth. II has been asserted that In South
] ern France. where the Goblin moth ia ALWAYS
! present. IL has been kept In check by It's
/ natural enemy. This information was pub
/ lished by the State Board nearly twenty years
/ ago.
| Food adulteration was touched on. but
/ as IL was on the programme for discus
sion the president stated he would not go
into II fully: He had hoped for legislation
TO protect the producers. but no relief had
yet been secured. The combination OF
capital interested In this dishonest and
profitable business seems to be too great
He said representatives OF Eastern agri-