The newspaper., 1910-02-11

pers have manifested less interest in
this matter than they should. Copies
of the bill may be seen at this Meet
ing, and those who have not studied
1t carefully should do SO without de-
lay.
No doubt the reason for our lack
ofinterest in the matter is the fact
that the cubical capacity OF the pro-
posed standard box will not affect
the box now in use in our State; but
the specifications for ~. s. STAN
dard" apple grades need even closer
attention.
Your manager believes any bill
would be unjust which would pro-
hibit the use Of a private brand as
sufficient description Of grade to an
established trade. The bill is worthy
OF consideration at this time, and 1t
would not be out OF place to register
our views with Congressman Taylor.
DAILY REPORT: A yeaL ago this
body passed a resolution Instruct
ing the management to devise some
system Of reporting daily to each
grower the amount OF fruit packed
for his account. The chief obstacle
encountered was the difficulty of
educating the help we had to oper-
ate any kind of n system intelligently
and accurately. The expense, also,
is heavy. The plan that was finally
adopted appears to have given salts
faction; an expression concerning
this feature OF the work would be
gratefully received.
FRUIT QUALITY: We are often told
that this is an age of specialization.
everywhere men are learning the wis
dom of doing one thing wellin prefer
ence to dividing their energies. The
past year has demonstrated more
clearly than ever that scientific fruit
growing, and scientific packing. and
scientific shipping and marketing are
three distinct departments OF or
charding, to excel in any one of which
is n life.work. The man who year
after year, Is eminently successful In
all three branches IL but the excep-
tion to prove the rule am glad to
pay tribute to the good judgment
of our members and growers when
they do not attempt to interfere in
any manner with our ideas of plac-
ing fruit on the market: and the re-
suits have proven the wisdom of
their attitude.
Now. believe the same can he
said with respect to the office,-no
man in our employ has ever been
guilty Of trying to instruct our
growers In fruit-growing. What we
know about horticulture does not
overburden us; we have been special
izing In other branches. But one
cannot converse with many growere.
read many good horticultural and
trade journals, or deal with wide
awake market men without form
ing hisideas ofimproving conditions.
We must not become so welded to
our own local methods OF the past
that we fall to utilize anything OF
good irrespective Of Its origin. Wis
ftors to the North Fork Valley are
impressed with the beauty OF Its
orchards-their well-grown trees,
cleanly cultivated, well sprayed.
But in giving so much attention to
pruning. to cuitivating, to grating,
and budding. and irrlgating. and
spraying, have we become blind to
all other considerations?
cannot forbear mentioning two,
which, in my opinion, VIII shortly
command our enrnest attention: one
is the matter OF thinning fruit on the
trees. Most of our North Fork
growers honestly try to thin their
peaches and apples, yet people from
other sections tell us none of them
thin severely enough nor Mt the
proper time. This question Will bear
much study.
Two or three years ago Dele
ware grower who IL known nation
ally through his horticultural writ
ings visited our office. His surprise
and pleasure at the advanced stage
OF horticulture found in this valley
appeared beyond expression. "But"
said he, "your people are overlooking
one thing" and he illustrated by
saying, 81 have n fine team OF horses