162 MODERN FRUIT MARKETING 



The seasons of the year. (7) The supply of other 

 fruits. It is probable that the conditions of the country 

 effect the fruit industry as much, if not more, than any 

 other farm product. If the country is prosperous every- 

 body can afford fruit. If the country is not, then the 

 partial luxuries which include many of our better fruits 

 are the first to be dispensed with, in an effort to reduce 

 the cost of living. 



The bulk of the fruit in the larger cities is sold to 

 working men the ones who draw salaries by the week or 

 month, as clerks in factories, shops, etc. When these 

 people are all busy earning good wages they all spend 

 their money freely for fruits and are willing to pay a 

 good price for good fruit. On the other hand, if busi- 

 ness is dull many are often out of work. If the con- 

 ditions, in general, are not encouraging the demand for 

 fruit falls off on account of the reduced ability to buy. 



The quality of the fruit offered effects the demand 

 materially. Most people are willing to pay a good price 

 for good fruit. On the other hand, there are many who 

 wait for a lower market price because of a surplus or an 

 unusual heavy shipment, and where the quality is good 

 there is always a ready market. Where the quality is 

 poor the price runs down and the demand usually be- 

 comes much less. The price asked for the fruit also 

 effects the demand. Certain organizations establish their 

 own price. If their managers put it too high, buyers 

 will not take the fruit. If the cost of production is so 

 high that the price must be put where the fruit becomes 

 a luxury, then the demand will again fall off. 



Certain fruits are used largely in the regular diet as 

 a food. Fruits like the apple, banana, orange, etc., have 



