CHAPTER X 



HARVESTING AND MARKETING THE FRUIT 



THE crop is now grown, and the grower is confronted 

 with the problem of disposing of it. If he is growing the 

 fruit for profit, he must give attention to the business 

 situation involved in the picking, packing, storing and 

 shipping. The actual selling of the product is an enter- 

 prise belonging to the merchantman rather than to the 

 fruit-grower; but the grower must understand the demands 

 of the market, and the conditions under which the sales- 

 man is obliged to work. 



Marketing is rapidly coming to be recognized as a 

 semi-public function. It is being regulated by legislation 

 on packages and inspection, transportation, ordinances on 

 marketing and licensing of middlemen. The producer as 

 well as the seller must work within the law; and it is to 

 be expected that the laws will be more specific and con- 

 trolling in the future. This will impose a special obliga- 

 tion on the grower of fruits to raise a good product, and 

 to grade and pack with care, for fruits are mostly shipped 

 in separate gift packages. 



Associations and exchanges for the handling of fruits 

 have been productive of much good and have stimulated 

 the business in many parts of the country. They are to 

 be encouraged when the growers are ready for co-action 

 and when the volume of business in any definite geographi- 

 cal region is large. 



This book is devoted primarily to the growing of 

 (364) 



