476 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 



that arrive, or that become in poor condition after 

 arrival, as well as a respectable portion of the better 

 grades, for they sometimes carry a very good quality. 



" Let us trace these different classes a little 

 further, bearing in mind carefully that there is no 

 arbitrary grading, the perishable qualities of fruit at 

 times making the 'fancy' of 5 A. M. the 'peddler's- 

 stock' at 5 P. M. Let us suppose C is a retail 

 dealer having the best patronage. He selects what 

 he needs (carefully paying no more than he can 

 help which remark also applies to all), has it set 

 aside, and sends .his wagon for it as soon as he has 

 completed his purchases. Arriving at his store, the 

 fruit is temptingly displayed to catch the eye, and 

 from his stock he fills his orders, taken often with- 

 out the price being named in advance, quality being 

 the chief requirement, sends to his customer, and 

 charges it up to his account. The transaction is 

 completed all but collecting the bill. Many pay; 

 many do not, and during the last thirty years, of 

 all I have known, in the strictly fancy trade, less 

 than a dozen have earned a competence. But little 

 net profit remains with them. 



"The retail dealer, D, who supplies the middle 

 classes, with a fair proportion of the well-to-do, 

 loads his purchase into his wagon, and at once goes 

 home to be ready for dinner, placing a moderate 

 advance on his purchase price as his selling figure. 

 He sells for cash if he can, or to his 'book.' cus- 

 tomers at practically the same figure. He delivers 

 to his customer's home, if desired, but the bulk of 



