MARKETING THE CROP 173 



son that when a grower does his own packing 1 he 

 has a respect for the judgment of the inspector. To 

 repack a load of fruit is found to be rather expen- 

 sive, as is also the placing of fruit in a lower grade. 

 One experience is usually sufficient. Notwithstand- 

 ing so much care, poorly packed fruit sometimes 

 finds its way into the market. 



"The association charges a commission on all 

 sales to defray expenses. This is usually five per 

 cent, and when the packing is done by the associa- 

 tion, an additional charge is made to cover the cost 

 of box and labor of packing. The surplus, if any 

 remains, is distributed as premiums. 



"The system of selling has been somewhat 

 changed during the past few years. Formerly all 

 fruit was consigned to commission men, but on ac- 

 count of dissatisfaction with the returns made by 

 the consignees as to the condition of certain ship- 

 ments of fruit made by the associations, the plan of 

 selling f. o. b. is largely practiced, consignments 

 are made only to well-known firms, and much of 

 this fruit is sold at auction. 



"Even with this arrangement difficulties some- 

 times occur, so the custom of the associations send- 

 ing agents to the most important distributing points 

 has arisen. It is the duty of the agent to inspect all 

 cars that come into his territory, as near the destina- 

 tion as possible, and thus protect the association 

 from dishonest buyers, and adjust differences that 

 arise when fruit actually reaches the buyer in poor 

 condition. This is the system practiced when fruit 

 is sent by freight in carload lots. 



"Shipments by express are made only to nearby 

 points. In such cases the growers receive exactly 

 what the fruit brings, less the express charges and 

 the association's commission. This practice is con- 



