CHAPTER XV 

 CO-OPERATIVE FRUIT-GRADING 



THERE is still another example I should like to offer 

 of the lines on which effective combination can be 

 developed. 



One of the weakest points in the system or, rather, 

 lack of system generally followed by the British 

 producer in sending his commodities to market is the 

 absence of, as a rule, any attempt at effective grading. 

 This fault is especially to be found in regard to fruit. 

 Different qualities, of all shapes and sizes, and in all 

 conditions, down (in the case of apples) to bruised 

 windfalls, are often to be found mixed up together in 

 the most haphazard fashion in a single box, barrel, or 

 hamper. English fruit thus gets a bad name, and is 

 avoided by large purchasers. On the other hand, 

 foreign fruit especially Canadian and American 

 arrives in such condition that, as the manager of a large 

 hotel once said, * If I give an order for a particular 

 brand, I can depend on receiving as much as I want, 

 all of the same sort, practically all of the same size, 

 and all in good condition, without there being any need 

 for me to look at it first. I would much rather buy 

 English-grown fruit if I could,' added the gentleman in 

 question, ' but, under present conditions, I am bound to 

 prefer the supplies from abroad.' 



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