THE GENERAL MARKET 281 



The General Market. Whe.re the orchard is situated so that 

 the owner cannot develop a retail market he must rely on the 

 general market. In this case he sells either to a buyer at the 

 orchard or through a commission man. There is a good deal 

 to be said in favor of the former method. The buyer and the 

 seller are more nearly on an equality than in the latter. If the 

 buyer does not want to pay what the grower thinks the fruit is 

 worth it can remain on the farm. And an additional advantage is 



FIG. 145. The climax peach basket used as a retail package for apples. This package 

 has much to commend it. It is cheap, carries the fruit in good condition and will pack 

 well into cars. 



that one gets rid of the entire crop with relatively little worry, 

 and he can then give his attention to other matters. He also 

 has his money for use and is saved considerable loss from shrink- 

 age. On the whole, there is considerable argument for selling 

 to a buyer at the orchard. It is not as good as the retail plan, 

 but stands next to it. 



Frequently, however, the grower has to sell through a com- 

 mission man. This is the poorest type of marketing, not because 



