PICKING AND MARKETING, 30I 



such proportions within the last half-century, may we not 

 expect even greater increase in the future ? The appliances 

 for preserving fruit, and for transporting it quickly and 

 safely, become more perfect every year. Thus a market is 

 created in vast regions which, though populous, are not 

 adapted to the raising of fruit. 



The modern conditions of marketing fruit are just the 

 reverse of those described by Mr. Idell. Then the berries, 

 both in size and quantity, were small ; but the labor and 

 difficulty in reaching the consumer were immense. Now, 

 strawberries that in size resemble tomatoes can be forwarded 

 by the ship and car-load, with brief printed labels, and the 

 commission merchant sells for his correspondent, who may 

 reside hundreds of miles away, and for years never follow 

 his fruits to their market. Our chief ground for sohcitude is 

 success in finding a commission house able to dispose of our 

 fruit promptly at current rates, and sufficiently honest to 

 make exact returns at the end of each week. There are 

 many who do this, and not a few who do not. If one has 

 not satisfactory business acquaintance in the city, I suggest 

 that they learn from their neighbors who have been in the 

 habit of shipping produce, the names of merchants that uni- 

 formly have made the best returns. Moreover, it is often 

 v\'ell, if one has considerable fmit, to ship to two or more 

 parties, and compare prices. The homely proverb hinting 

 that it is not wise to put all our eggs in one basket, is 

 sound. 



FRUIT PACKAGES. 



My experience and observation have led me to market 

 my strawberries in square quart baskets, and round pints, 

 and raspberries in half-pints ; although pints answer equally 

 well for a firm raspberry, like the Cuthbert or Brandy^vine. 



