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 Genesee Va l l e y 
 Fr u I T s 
 
 by 
 
 Raynr|or\d A. Pearson 
 
 CorniTiissioner of Agriculture 
 State of New York 
 
 Tl-\e Rocl-\ester Cf)annber of Cornrnerce 
 
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 111 
 
GENESEE VALLEY 
 FRUITS 
 
 At\ Address delivered at tl^e 
 HoverT|ber Corporatiori Dir^er 
 of tl^e Rochiester C\\an\ber of 
 Corr\rf\erce by HoPi.Raynr^orid A 
 Pearson, Conr\rriissior\er of Agri- 
 culture of tt\e State of New York 
 
 Hoverriber 20ti^. 1911 
 
 Publisl^ed by 
 
 Thie Roci^ester Cl\an\ber of Corrinrierce 
 
 Rochiester, H. Y. 
 
 1912 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 Lack of 
 Agricultural 
 Knowledge 
 
 Development 
 of the 
 West 
 
 Stealing 
 Fertility 
 
 50 
 
 Million 
 
 Loss of 
 
 Fertilization 
 
 DC 
 
 ,^^ 
 
 P;^ XV^ 
 
 & 
 
 IT is stated that the Rochester Chamber of Commerce is interested in the 
 dissemination of information regarding the products of this Genesee 
 Fruits Country. This is a worthy purpose for any organization. There 
 is need for exploiting many features of agriculture in New York State. The 
 ignorance existing among our people along this line is amazing. It seems 
 that many otherwise well informed persons are twenty years behind the 
 times in general information regarding agriculture. This should not seem 
 so strange, however, when we know that many people are behind the times 
 in their knowledge of most important affairs, even including those most 
 discussed in our newspapers. 
 
 ^ It is harmful to our fruit-growing and general agricultural interests of 
 today, to be judged by the conditions of the past. During a period of 
 about twenty years, which ended only a few years ago, we were in bad 
 shape from an agricultural standpoint throughout the entire east. This 
 was due to the rapid development of the west. That development was a 
 wonderful thing for the country and was supported chiefly by the farmers 
 of the east. The support was magnificent, whether given intentionally or 
 not, but, it practically undermined successful farming of all kinds in the 
 east and for an extended period there was great depression. For a time, 
 farm products had to be sold for less than cost, and, it was only that 
 eastern farmers could draw on their reserve of soil fertility, transforming it 
 into ready cash, that enabled them to stay in business. 
 
 ^ In 1893, corn sold as ^^w as 25c a bushel and each bushel carried 
 away from the farm, 17c worth of plant food. In 1894, wheat sold at 
 52 ^c a bushel and each bushel carried 23c worth of plant food. In 1896, 
 oats dropped to i6^c a bushel with each bushel carrying loj^c worth of 
 plant food. At the same lii-Jie.timothy hay sold at ^8.00 a ton with each 
 ton carrying over I5.00 wo'-th of plant food. Eastern farmers lived by 
 stealing fertility from their lands. 
 
 ^ Although the situation is not so serious now, yet the removal of 
 fertility continues, and it is a problem that will need our serious attention 
 in the future. 
 
 ^ It has been estimated that the value of plant food lost 
 annually from our lands through consumption and sewage is 
 not less than fifty million dollars in New York State. 
 
 Page two 
 
 APH 
 
RISE IN MONROE COUNTY VALUES 
 
 DURING the period of depression, Monroe County suffered with others. 
 The value of her farm property during the decade from 1870 to 1880 
 fell from forty-three to thirty-eight and seven-tenths millions of dollars. 
 During the next decade it fell in value another million ; at the same time, 
 the State lost eighty-eight millions in value of farm property. From 1890 
 to 1900, the value in Monroe County increased two and one -half millions, 
 while in the State, it gained one hundred and one millions. From 1900 to 
 1910, the value of farm property in Monroe County jumped from forty to 
 practically sLxty millions of dollars, an increase of 49.3%; at the same time 
 the value of farm property in the State increased from a little over one 
 billion to nearly one and one - half billions of dollars, the increase being at 
 the rate of 35.7%. During this decade of remarkable increases, the farm 
 land values in Monroe County increased 42%; farm building values 52%; 
 farm implement and machinery values 71%; farm animals, 74%. 
 
 ^ Today, agriculture is receiving more attention than ever, within the 
 agriculture field itself, from the public generally and especially from the 
 commercial bodies, such as the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. This is 
 due to three things : 
 
 FIRST — because of better prices for agricultural products. This 
 stimulates producers and leads to increasing values of farm property. 
 
 SECOND — because of the belief among consumers that the increased 
 cost or living is due to the increased cost of farm products. It would be 
 interesting to show what a small part of the consumers' money finds its way 
 to the producer and how Utile a slight increase in price to the producer 
 actually affects the cost of living ; yet we do admit that increased prices 
 received by farmers affect the cost of living. 
 
 THIRD — Agriculture is receiving attention from commercial men 
 because of their interest in the general welfare, and because they 
 appreciate that by helping agriculture they are helping themselves. 
 
 ^ Aside from all other considerations, note what it would mean to 
 business to have a slight increase in agriculture production. 
 
 ^ An increase of only one bushel of grain per acre on all 
 improved agricultural land in the United States would require 
 12,500 extra trains of 50 cars each for transportation. One 
 can well imagine whp.t this would mean as an incentive to 
 business, the stimulus being directed along the line from one 
 industry to another until it covered the entire country and " 
 affected practically every person. 
 
 Decrease 
 
 and 
 Increase 
 
 of 
 Values 
 
 Cost of 
 Living 
 
 12,500 
 
 Extra Trains 
 
 of Fifty 
 
 Cars Each 
 
 Needed for 
 
 Increase of 
 
 one Bushel 
 
 per Acre 
 
 Page tliree 
 
STANDING OF MONROE COUNTY 
 
 Largest 
 
 Producer 
 
 of 
 
 Apples 
 
 First 
 
 Place in 
 
 Wheat 
 
 Production 
 
 THESE are reasons that justify us in promoting our agriculture. Then 
 let us consider how best to proceed. Suppose we assume that we own 
 Monroe County and all that is in it. What should we do to increase 
 its agriculture ? The business man would say to take an inventory before 
 we do anything else. And here we find a startling array of facts and figures. 
 
 ^ According to the latest complete census figures published, Monroe 
 County stands, among other New York Counties : 
 
 First in production of apples and nursery stock. 
 
 Secotid in total production of potatoes. 
 
 Second in total value of farm products. 
 
 Second in total value of farm property. 
 
 Third in orchard fruits. 
 
 Third in dried beans. 
 
 Third in miscellaneous vegetables. 
 
 Fourth in small fruit, 
 and when compared with other counties on basis of production per square 
 mile, Monroe County is : 
 
 First in nursery products. 
 
 Third in orchard fruits. 
 
 Third in potatoes. 
 
 Fourth in total value of products. 
 
 Fifth in oats, small fruit and dry beans. 
 
 ^ Director of Census, E. Dana Durand, has courteously furnished a pre- 
 liminary report of production of Monroe County as recorded in the last 
 census taken in 1910, and it is shown that this county has risen in ten 
 years from 
 
 Fourth to third in number of horses on farms 
 
 Eleventh to fourth in number of swine. 
 
 Fifteenth to tenth in total value of domestic animals. 
 
 Seventh to third in total corn production. 
 
 Seventh to third in oat production. 
 
 Held first place in wheat production. 
 
 Risen from fifteenth to sixth in rye production. 
 
 Held third place in production of beans. 
 
 ^ Similar statements of wonderful development could be made for the 
 neighboring counties. 
 
 Page four 
 
PREEMINENCE OF GENESEE VALLEY FRUITS 
 
 ARE these things known right here at home, or has our light been hid 
 under a bushel ? Who knows of our great possessions and our greater 
 possibilities ? We have all heard of the wonderful Hood River Valley 
 of Oregon. The whole world has heard of it. And who has not heard of 
 the famous Wenatchee V-alley in Washington ? But these are small and 
 unimportant places when compared with the great fruit districts in this 
 vicinity. President W. C. Brown tells us that five stations on the New 
 York Central Railroad, not far from here, recently shipped more apples in 
 one year than were shipped, not from the two valleys named, but from 
 the entire states of Oregon and Washington combined. Does the world 
 know this ? Is it known here at home ? How many know that Monroe 
 County ranks first in apple production of all counties in the state ; yes, first 
 of all the counties in the United States. Niagara, Wayne, and Orleans 
 rank second, third and fourth of all the counties in the United States 
 according to the last available census figures. 
 
 Five 
 Stations in 
 New York 
 
 State 
 
 ship more 
 
 Apples than 
 
 the States of 
 
 Washington 
 
 and 
 
 Oregon 
 
 Combined 
 
 ^When the qtiality of fruit is considered, we have no fear of 
 competition from the west, for it is recognized there as well as 
 here that eastern apples are superior. 
 
 ^ Having taken the inventory as business men in possession of this 
 great country, naturally our next step would be to advertise our product. 
 This may be done in many ways, some more costly than others. The 
 identity of your splendid fruit should be preserved so that you may receive 
 the credit that is due you wherever it is sent. Instead of letting your fruit 
 be absorbed into the world's great markets unlabeled or unknown or marked 
 by so many different names that no one can remember them, why not have 
 one trademark for the whole Genesee Fruits Country, which will be used 
 only on the best ? Let a re.sponsible organization stand behind this and 
 protect it, so that it will become as well known as " Rochester Made Means 
 Quality." 
 
 Trade -Mark 
 the 
 Fruit 
 
 ^ As business men, owning this county, we would give attention to the 
 development of its resources, which would serve the same purpose as 
 increasing its size. Formerly, a people desiring to increase their 
 possessions, would go out and conquer their neighbors and add to their 
 area. Now, we go out and conquer ignorance and add to our productivity. 
 It is reasonable to say that the value of our agricultural products in this 
 
 Advertise 
 
 Page five 
 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS 
 
 county, which was six and one -half million dollars in 1900, could be 
 increased ten, twenty or thirty per centum. This would mean more money 
 spent for farm labor, which is already one and one - half millions in Monroe, 
 and more money spent for all kinds of merchandise as well as more 
 produce to ship. 
 
 ^ We know how to bring about this increase of our fruit and agricultural 
 crops. All that is needed is to interest the minority of farmers so that they 
 will adopt the best known practices, which are now more or less in use by 
 the majority of farmers in this section. These include the conservation of 
 Farming fertility, growing of leguminous plants, cultivation, drainage, fertilizing. 
 
 Experts spraying, pruning and packing. To secure the adoption of these 
 
 agricultural virtues, some farmers will need to have expert advice close at 
 hand, even on their own farms, and I think it would be for the best 
 interest of our state if such advice were provided. This would not be 
 paternalism, it would not suggest pauperism, nor is it more than has been 
 done for other industries. It is merely a method of putting into practice 
 knowledge that has been developed since many of our present farmers 
 were young men. The plan of stationing an expert at a central point in an 
 agricultural territory has been successful, especially in Canada and in our 
 own state. His services are given freely to those in need of help. His 
 work results in larger production of farm products. Already our state is 
 doing much for the farmers through its College of Agriculture, Experiment 
 Stations, Schools of Agriculture and Farmers' Institutes, but that the 
 work should be extended in a manner to bring it nearer to those who need 
 it and in a manner that will assure concrete results, is beyond dispute. 
 
 Teach 
 the 
 
 Children 
 
 ^ Our state also is doing much in the line of instructing children in 
 agriculture. Lessons are introduced in the rural schools and special 
 teachers are added to the staff of some high schools Everything possible 
 should be done to interest country children in agricultural matters. Often 
 this is the only way to reach the parents. If an expert were available in 
 this section, he could arrange for children in different schools to bring 
 samples of fruit or potatoes to be judged and discussed, and such efforts 
 would be greatly encouraged if prize ribbons were provided. In such 
 ways as these, the productivity of the county will be increased and the 
 increase will serve the best interests of all. 
 
TRADE- MARK THE FRUTf 
 
 THE business men of Rochester are noted for their clean methods, 
 their enterprise and the successful outcome of whatever they set out to 
 accomplish. They are entitled to great credit for the attractiveness 
 of this city, a place traveling men and strangers like to visit, because they 
 are so well cared for and because they find all surroundings so pleasant. 
 And now it appears that these business men, in a determined way, will 
 co-operate with the farming interests for mutual benefit. It would be 
 difficult to prophesy what will be the outcome of such co-operation. I 
 consider the business interests of the city fortunate in having at hand such 
 a splendid field for operations, and I consider the agricultural interests in 
 this vicinity fortunate in being able to command the attention of such a 
 well organized and able body of business men. In closing, I would 
 personify the Genesee Fruits Country and address a toast to her : 
 
 ^ I congratulate you Genesee Fruits Country. I 
 salute you. Your superior is not known. These 
 many years you have poured forth your bounty. 
 We have grown up in your midst and have not 
 appreciated your vast importance. But, as children 
 love their benefactor, so we have loved you. Now, 
 as never before, we realize your wonderful beauty 
 and worth and power. We pledge you our best 
 care and will sing your praises always. 
 
 A 
 
 Toast 
 
 Page seven 
 
PURPOSES OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 
 
 THE Rochester Chamber of Commerce is interested in 
 increasing the productivity of the soil of this section 
 of New York State, because : 
 Rochester must feed its increasing industrial population. 
 Rochester is the logical center of interest and activity of 
 this fertile section. 
 
 A 
 
 Special 
 
 Message 
 
 to the 
 
 Grower 
 
 Therefore, the Chamber of Commerce is willing to spend 
 time and money to accomplish the following ends : — 
 
 To make a survey of the products of this section and to 
 classify the information. 
 
 To give information about the value and scope of the 
 agricultural development of this section. 
 
 To aid growers in their efforts toward co-operation and 
 solidarity. 
 
 To stimulate them to take the fullest advantage and the 
 opportunities for marketing their products by improved 
 methods of sorting, packing, labelling and advertising. 
 
 To make known to the United States the vast food supplies 
 within this section, thereby increasing sales and stimulating 
 the most efficient methods of growing:. 
 
 These things can be accomplished only by your co-opera- 
 tion and cordial support — 
 
 Which means that every reader of this book who is a 
 grower should send his name and address to the Chamber, 
 together with a list of his products, and any facts in connection 
 therewith. From this a mailing list will be made up. 
 
 Organizations throughout this section now working to the 
 ends mentioned should supply us with their membership list, 
 advise their special objects and keep in touch with the work of 
 the Chamber. 
 
 These things mean dollars to you. Do not set this aside 
 for future action. Do it now. 
 
 Page eight 
 
"N 26 1912 ,,^^^ ^ ^^^^^ 
 
 ^l2(S:HESr£ 
 '*^HAMBEROF 
 
 003 153 987