FRUIT ON THE FARM. 281 



things. All boxes, crates, baskets, etc., must be prepared be- 

 forehand, and help engaged to handle the fruit, for there must 

 be no delay. Always give good, honest measure, and a uniform 

 quality throughout the package. Thousands of bushels of fruit 

 are sent to market every year that would have brought more 

 money if one-third of it had been fed to the hogs and the 

 remainder sold. 



On this point I quote Mr. Ohmer, whose success and long 

 experience give great authority to what he says : " Many in- 

 voices of fruit have been sold for less than the freight and com- 

 mission charges, principally because they were not properly put 

 up. Dealers want you to face the packages with nice fruit, but 

 they do not want all under the facing to be worthless or indif- 

 ferent, but merchantable fruit all through. The man who will 

 face a package of fruit and fill up with that which is worthless 

 is not an honest man, but a disgrace to the profession. Such a 

 man ought not and does not make fruit growing pay." 



One other point I consider of great importance, especially in 

 the growing of small fruits for market, and that is not to 

 attempt it on a large scale until you have gained some experi- 

 ence. Feel your way carefully into the business, and master 

 every detail as you go along. The man who undertakes to 

 start a large fruit plantation without experience is likely to 

 pay high tuition in the school of experience, and too often fail 

 to get a good education at last. 



