Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1870 [PAGE 335]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

321 made badly, and in such a condition as to hurt the sale of good fruit. We find it difficult to get daily accounts of sales. BROWN, of Yilla Eidge—I have been much pleased with Dr. Honton's remarks, especially his advising to grow several kinds of fruits. I think apples, especially late apples, one of the safest fruits to raise, and I think they will be one of the most profitable. I notice a steady increase in the price of fruit, first because more people are using it, and secondly from the extension of our railways, and the means of distributing it. Pears pay well, and are growing in demand just like apples. They are not now appreciated in small towns. An organization was attempted three or four years ago to ship to six men in Chicago. It failed. Mr. Woods' plan may do. I think we can work out something. Put up good fruit in good order; yet in case of bad and good fruit there has been such a thing as averaging of sales. That was done, and is done oven to-day. COOPER—One means of increasing the demand is the establishment of canning houses. J3RFNTON—I think it in bad taste to say anything against the Illinois Central. Its fruit train did not pay all last year. They did all we could expect of them. The best place to sell is in the home market; the next outlet is the large commercial centres. We can't agree to ship long distances, our raspberries spoiled over night here. HONTON—According to the prices charged, an engine with only two cars of fruit, running from South Pass to Chicago would make over $100. WOOD—Fifty-three tons were sent in one day from our station last year. G A L E — I think the rates were reasonable last year. MAHAN—Not much has been said as to the probable increase in planting. Planting will increase vastly from the new railroads. The one from Springfield through Edgewood will strike one of our best fruit regions. There are large orchards at Olney, and south of there they will go in heavily. The Belleville and South Eastern railway will also let in a good deal, i think that the demand will not increase as fast as the supply. Adjourned. -42