Marketing. 445 



SELL OR CONSIGN? 



Editor tlie Southwest: 



The production of choice fruit of all kinds is no longer a question 

 of doubt, but the satisfactory disposition of it is, so far as profit is con- 

 cerned, as was developed by the meeting of fruit growers last winter, 

 and also by the State Horticultural Society, in Peirce City, Mo. The 

 inquiry is not how much fruit to grow, but how to sell it and get reason- 

 able pay for it. On that hinges the law of profit or loss. 



When any business undertakes to produce, whether a crop of berries 

 or other fruit, or any product of a factory, the proprietor assimies the 

 risk of production, but it seldom occurs that he also assumes the expense 

 of sending it to market and consigning it to unknown men to sell and 

 accepting the pay that is remitted as the reward of his toil. Such double 

 risk must have a small expense in its business and large profit to enable 

 one to keep on. 



The truth is, produce should not be sold in that way. Never in one 

 instance go into a business to consign your product for your remuneration 

 and profit. It does not come sure enough to make you feel comfortable. 

 The tendency of the commission trade is to lower prices. The com- 

 mission men solicit more goods than they can sell to advantage, and 

 down go the prices. 



Sell the product of your labor for cash in hand in your town de- 

 livered in good condition; then ends your responsibility and worry. 



I do not wish to discourage grooving berries, or any other product, 

 but I do wish to oppose doing this at a loss to the grower, and I do not 

 see how any other thing can result than loss when goods are consigned 

 as is part of the fruit crop and other goods of the farmer. 



Col. Evans was right when he advised people not to let a car wheel 

 move till the contents were paid for. It is the only rational way of doing 

 business. 



It will be better for the farmer when he can sell all his product on 

 his farm and exterminate the commission man's style of business. — A. 

 H. Griesa, Lawrence, Kansas. 



