SUMMER MEETING AT BUILER. Ill 



THE RELATION OF THE FRUIT GROWN TO THE COMMIS- 

 SION MERCHANT. 



BY 6. N. COX, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



The relations of producer to consumer, as well as those of buyer 

 to seller, while somewhat antagonistic in character, are yet helpful and 

 necessary to each other. Supply and demand furnish the basis on 

 which our commerce rests; whether it be foreign or domestic, or as 

 between individuals or communities. 



When both parties to an exchange of products are brought to- 

 gether so that a mutual understanding can be had, there accrues to 

 €ach a benefit, in that the one has received a reasonable considera- 

 tion for what he has offered for sale, while the other has obtained what 

 in his estimation is of equal value. But this primitive sort of ex- 

 change is no longer practicable or desirable. With increased facilities 

 lor transportation, come new opportunities for the disposal of such 

 products as in the ordinary course of trade are only adapted for im- 

 mediate use. This is especially true of bolh fruit and vegetables. To 

 this advantage of a wider market there is one drawback, the necessity 

 that exists for the grower to frequently forward his products to a 

 market where he cannot in person attend to their disposal. This 

 necessitates their being placed with other parties, who will dispose of 

 them to the best advantage for his benefit. This is not always an easy 

 matter. The commission merchant has his own interests to look after 

 and guard, and these are sometimes at variance with those of the con- 

 signor. Yet, if the fruit-grower will carefully inquire as to the in- 

 tegrity, as well as the mercantile standing of those to whom he con- 

 signs hi.s fruit, he can safely trust their judgment in its disposal. In 

 order that the best results may be obtained for the grower, it is neces- 

 sary that he should take even more care in the preparation of his fruit 

 for market than if he was to accompany it himself. Nothing con- 

 tributes so much to the sale of fruit, especielly when offered on an 

 over-crowded market, as an attractive appearance of both package and 

 contents. 



It frequently happens that consignments of fruit reach their desti- 

 nation to find the supply greater than the demand. This cannot be 

 avoided. The only thing is to trust to the honor and business qualifi- 



