76 AGRICUI^TURE OF MAINE). 



saler who will furnish them just what they want when they 

 want it, adjust any claims for poor and damaged fruit and at 

 times extend them credit. There are a large number of general 

 commission men who handle more or less apples ; some buy 

 outright of the owner and others handle on consignment only. 

 The growers have found a great deal of fault in this way of 

 doing business, claiming the commission men do not give them 

 a square deal, for they read in the paper that apples were 

 quoted $4.00 per bbl. and in going through Quincy Market, 

 a dealer told them he asked $5.00 a bbl. and they had only 

 received $2.50 return from the commission man they had shipped 

 to a week previous. So the grower immediately concludes the 

 commission man charged him an enormous profit. The grower 

 did not understand that his shipment was a small one, the 

 commission man did not know in advance the kind or quantity 

 of the apples, or that he was to receive any at all, so he had 

 no time to work up a market, but as the grower wanted his 

 money right off he had to sell at what he could get. Then on a 

 small quantity the overhead charges are very high. 



If the grower has small lots of apples which he wishes to sell 

 through a commission man, the best thing he can do is to go to 

 the nearest large town or city, look up some commission man, 

 become acquainted with this man, and work with him to dis- 

 pose of his apples. This generally is very satisfactory. If not, 

 find another man to deal with, but the grower must always 

 remember that if he does not look out for his interests, nobody 

 else will. The same method applies to the selling of apples to 

 the wholesale commission men, who handle the bulk of the 

 apples. Know what you are going to have to sell, then get in 

 touch with some wholesaler and work together in grading, 

 advertising and marketing your fruit. You can easily obtain 

 the names of large dealers. Every grower should keep a check- 

 ing account in his nearest national bank or trust company. This 

 will bring you to know the bank and the bank to know you. 

 They can help you to look up any dealer you wish and will 

 undoubtedly be glad to. After looking up your dealer, call 

 upon him and go over the matter of handling your apples, and 

 I do not believe but that you both can obtain satisfactory results. 



It must be kept in mind that if a buyer pays you cash for 

 your apples it will necessarily be less than the present market 



