Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
THE HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS
An Organization for Mutual Assist
ance and "a National Fruit
Exhibit.


Writing to the New York Tribune
Farmer on the aims and objects of the
National horticultural congress recently
organized at Council Bluffs, James Handy
Of Quincy, ILL.,, says;
THE fruit growers about Council Bluffs
can fully appreciate the benefits of a per-
feet union in efforts. From a compare
lively small circle of country, which in
cludes the sloping hillsides on the bluffs
east lof the city, 100 or more carloads of
grapes are shipped annually. The pro-
ducers have a strong organization by the
name of the Council Bluffs Grape Growers
association. and its affairs are sufficiently
well managed to secure prompt sales at
best prices. The idea of canning or manu-
featuring wines or jellies is never enter
tanned by the growers, as tney are we'll
satisfied to market their crops promptly at
remunerative returns. In conducting their
business on the scale as required it was
found necessary to build a very lage and
strong warehouse to hold the fruit while
waiting for cars. The commodious build
ing supplies a demand for other purposes
before and after fruit seasons. On one
of its floors the product of a beet sugar
factorty was stored during the past season,
and it's basement has a storage capacity
" -NfNtV VI ablNe@f - 81 AAAaS ~
seen that this union of effort brings an
unlocked for income of several thousand
dollars per annum.
The national congress should be a strong
controlling force in all Of the exigencies
OF the fruit business. In 1906, simply be-
cause the apple crop was very good in
spots, the idea prevailed that the harvest
would be something when, as
the final report showed. It was next to the
smallest crop ever gathered in the history
of the country. Many instances could be
cited where the prevailing idea of a SUI
p~erabundant crop caused growers to lose
confidence in markets, and they allowed
the fruits of their labors to perish. In
many Instances whore there was a lack
of buyers some e%nterprising producers,
in efforts to help themselves. found strong
railroad and cold storage combinations
standing against them, and they were not
able to overcome such obstacles. In the
cases referred to a national council could
have manifested it's power.
THE national organization should serve as
a guiding light along all the bearings OF
the fruit business. Last year when 1t was
very obvious In proportion to acreage OF
! orchards, we had the very smallest crop OF
apples ever harvested in the country
many rover lost money in crops which
should have brought the best returns. A
national council would have advised as Il
the proper time for selling and would have
warned of dangers in holding apples toe
long at high prices, pointing out posi-
bilities of other fruit being substituted
Never in the history of the middle ives
were oranges so abundant and cheap as IL
the last winter The people purchased
liberal supplies of such fruit, ignoring
apples, and, small as the stock was, in too
many places it became something like
drug on the market. conservative views o
a national congress would have led IA
away from such results.
I'm view OF the fact that there Is going 4
be the greatest corn exposition ever wit
messed in this country In Omaha next De
cember the congress has conceived tn
idea OF having a national fruit exposition
In the nearest neighboring city, Council
Bluffs, on even dates OF the corn display
Plans have been made to arouse a uni
versal interest in such enterprise, and
Is generally conceded that two nationa
expositions held so closely together will b
helpful each to the other. It is proposes
20 have this annual fruit exposition as
permanent feature, and as the congress
increases its membership the majority ca
make choice OF places for holding such ex
position from year to year"