358 KdAUD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Second. The price is always tlie same anywliere in the mai'ket at 

 that time, wliich greatly helps to build up a trade. 



Third. The jrrower is always more sure of where he can dispose of 

 his load before it leaves the farm, and this is quite an item if he some- 

 times sends someone else Instead of going himself. He also saves much 

 valuable time in distributing the fruit, as lie simply leaves each day 

 what he thinks best. When the berries are scarce they should be divided 

 among the various customers in i)roportion to their respective ability to 

 handle them when the berries are more plentiful and under no circum- 

 stance leave more than each one's share. 



Fourth. The grow^er is able to dispose of more fruit in the local 

 market. 



If he is a business man, and no other can succeed, and is a close ob- 

 server he can tell, as well as the grocer at least, how many they will be 

 able to sell that day, and often he will leave many more to be sold than if 

 the retailer bought outright, as the latter would not take the risk of losing. 

 The grower must virtually stand the loss even if he sell outright, for if 

 there is a glut and the retailer loses he will not buy so many the next 

 day and the grower must look elsewhere for a market Avhen everyone is 

 overstocked. 



In a time of an oversupply it is best to make a low enough price so 

 that the berries will sell. There would be no profit in shipping the surplus 

 to a distant and uncertain market, for that market do doubt would also 

 be oversupplied. If the fruit is fine and properly put up and left on 

 commission there is little risk of it not selling. 



A profitable Saturday afternoon and evening trade can be built up by 

 saving as many of the large berries as possible for this time. People want 

 something extra for Sunday, and if they are sure of getting them late 

 Saturday evening they will buy them. I have often, _in fact nearly always, 

 made three trips to town with berries Saturday, the last load not reaching 

 the market until 8 o'clock. 



It is very important to the successful marketing of strawberries that 

 the picking be attended to at the right time and the work be properly 

 done. When possible the picking should be done in the cool of the morn- 

 ing, after the vines are dry, and late in the afternoon. With a large 

 acreage, or when help is scarce, this is not possible, and picking will have 

 to be continued all day. All carelessness should be prevented and the 

 berries picked without being mashed or bruised, and delivered to the 

 packing shed in good condition. 



The day is past when we can succeed by placing our fruit upon the 

 market in any but the liest condition. If we expect to build up a reputa- 

 tion for always having first-class berries, we must be able to guarantee 

 each quart, which must be put up in an attractive style to satisfy the eyes 

 of our customers. This can not be done unless each quart is carefully 

 graded and the work done by competent persons at the packing shed. 



