It was suggested at one time that the Hanko and the Twenty Ounce Pippin (not Twenty Ounce) might be identical. A close examination of the illustrations on this page will show that the varieties are distinct. The Hanko is a valuable variety found in western Sauk Co.

The President: I heard J. C. Plumb once say that the Northwestern Greening was pre-eminently a northern apple; when it goes south it begins to fail. I do not know how true that may be, but I would not be much surprised if that is the fact in the

case.

Mr. M. S. Kellogg: Has it not been demonstrated by apple growers that the heavier the soil in which you place the Northwestern Greening the greater the success; the lighter the soil, the less the success?

The President: Has anybody else a word to say in regard to the Windsor Chief?

Mr. G. J. Kellogg: I have grown it in the nursery. The only objection I had was, it would twig blight more or less where it was closed in, on open ground there is not much danger. There is not much danger in the orchard. It is not a very rapid grower, as Mr. Bingham says it is a good bearer, a good apple, I have known of its being very successful as an orchard tree. It is hardy enough to go through I think.

The President: The only fault we have to find with the apple is that it does blight in the nursery and it does blight somewhat in the orchard. It does blight severely in the orchard, so that we quit growing it.

Mr. Bingham: I think with heavy cultivation, take it in Richland county, if you cultivate it heavily, it will blight. You have to use different methods of cultivating in heavy clay soil.

Mr. Buehler: Those trees have been in sod ever since I have known them and they have never blighted.

FRUIT MARKETING SESSION.

THE SPARTA FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

MR. B. H. WRIGHT, Sparta.

The question of cooperative marketing of fruits, and the methods of the Sparta Fruit Growers' Association, have been so thoroughly discussed heretofore, that I find it almost impossible to advance any new ideas. But for the benefit of some, perhaps, who were not here last year, I will give a brief outline of our work and its results.

Previous to the year 1906, our Association amounted to bui very little, although it had been doing business for about ten years.

It had been able to secure refrigerator cars, thus reducing the cost of transportation; also to gain recognition as an organized company, thus giving material aid to some of its members, who were unsuccessful in dealing, individually, with some of the commission houses.

On the other hand, each member was allowed to practically dispose of his own fruits, either selling directly to buyers on the street, or dictating to which market his product should be

sent.

This, may readily be seen, had the effect of over-stocking some markets, while others were left unsupplied.

About two years ago, a number of our most extensive fruit growers decided that some effort must be made to improve the conditions of marketing our small fruits, especially strawberries; as the acreage was steadily increasing, and the price was just as steadily decreasing.

Accordingly, at the next annual meeting, every effort was made to get out as many members as possible, and the Association was re-organized upon an entirely new basis, with a capital stock of $1,000 and a membership of 140.

A set of iron-clad rules were adopted, which have been rigidly enforced; and after a trial of two seasons, the Association has

proved a grand success, with very little dissatifaction among its members. The officers consist of a president, treasurer, and six directors, who elect a manager and secretary. The manager, practically, has charge of the entire business. All fruit is turned over to him, who places it where he sees fit, always taking care of the order trade first.

Any member, knowingly violating these rules, is notified by the manager that he is no longer considered a member, and his membership fee, which consists of one or more shares of stock, at two dollars per share, may be had at any time by calling at the office.

Our manager aims to keep in touch with other towns and associations, during the berry season; thus avoiding too much competition. He receives, daily, quotations from all the leading markets, and by a little advertising, has worked up a good order business. This branch of trade has increased largely in the last year. A great many strawberries were disposed of in this way; while the orders for cane berries were many times more than our market could supply.

Every grower is given a duplicate receipt for all berries delivered to the association, each day, and their grade. This is a great help to the grower, for, by attending carefully to the next day's picking, he may be able to raise the grade of, at least, a part of his picking, instead of all being marked a lower grade, as before. This grading of our strawberries was one of the first, and perhaps the worst, propositions the association has had to contend with. Three grades were agreed upon by the management, namely "Choice" marked "B," "Extra Choice" "A," and "Fancy" marked "X."

In addition to these, a very few were marked “no grade.” These were of the "button variety," and although not a profitable kind, will occasionally appear in the market,

For the past two seasons, we have been very fortunate in securing for our grader a man who had the three most necessary qualifications for that position, namely, the utmost confidence of the members; fairness in all his dealings; and good sound judgment of fruits, as he had been educated from a boy up, in that branch of horticulture.

At the beginning of the strawberry season of 1907, prospects were not very encouraging to the association,