varj'ing bargains were made by the buyers. They did all or any part, com- 

 monly one-half, of the sorting, grading and packing; they furnished the con- 

 tainer in some eases, while in others it was furnished by the grower; either 

 the buyer or the grower hauled to the station, as was agreed. The freight 

 was generally paid b}' the buyer. 



The reasons for this undesirable situation seem to be: 



1. The distance from market. Most of the orchards lie at a considerable 

 distance from the large markets in the western part of the state, and the 

 small markets are soon over-stocked. The haul to Holyoke or Springfield is 

 long — 40 miles at the least, and for some of the growers it is 50 miles or more. 

 On account of the hills this haul is more difficult than one of the same mileage 

 in a more level section. It is more convenient and less expensive to sell to 

 a buyer at the door, or at least at the nearest shipping point. 



2. Custom undoubtedly has some influence in the matter. For years these 

 buyers have come to Franklin County for the apples they handle, and the 

 growers have formed the habit of selling by this method. 



3. The size of the individual crop probably influences to some extent the 

 method of sale. The average crop in Franklin County is about 2200 bushels, 

 and 45 per cent of the growers reporting sell yearly less than 1700 bushels 

 each. The average crop in the eastern section of the state is nearly twice as 

 large as that in the Franklin County area. 



In Worcester and Middlesex Counties the methods of sale are various, but 

 chiefly apples are sold to buyers at the farm, cooperatively, to retailers, and 

 on commission. The most interesting method is the cooperative sale by the 

 Nashoba Apple Packing Association, which maintains two packing houses, 

 one in Littleton and one in Bolton. 



The apples were picked and hauled from the orchard by the grower. They 

 were hauled to the packing house by the Association at a flat rate of 5 cents 

 a bushel, regardless of distance. Sorting, grading and packing costs were 

 reported as 30 cents a bushel, but this included some items which should have 

 been charged to supplies. The actual cost of the labor of sorting, grading 

 and packing was possibly not more than 25 cents a bushel. 



The packed box was then hauled to Boston for 12 cents and delivered to 

 one commission merchant who handled the entire output of the Association. 



There was a very small charge for labels and advertising. With commis- 

 sions the total costs of the Association amounted to an average of $1.08 per 

 box. 



Over half, 51 per cent, of the growers report that they sell by one method 

 only; 27 per cent sell by two methods; 18 per cent use three methods, while 

 four, five and six methods are used by one grower each. 



Two growers sell their crops on the tree and have no further responsibility. 



Buyers who come to the orchard purchase the entire crop of 30 growers 

 reporting. Nine growers sell to wholesalers, 20 on commission, 23 to retailers, 

 7 to hucksters, 7 cooperatively, 9 at retail at the door or at roadside stands, 

 6 sell from door to door, and one at public market. 



Total Costs. 



The items of cost which appear in the marketing of apples may be listed 

 as follows, but it is obvious that very few growers would incur each of these 

 expenditures : 



Picking 

 Sorting 

 Grading 

 Packing 

 Container 



Boxes, with risers 

 Barrels 

 Baskets 

 Cooperage 



