Grading, Packing, and Marketing. 385 



fair dealing, and the grower would be well advised, at any rate 

 until he has personal knowledge or some good recommendation, 

 to entrust his produce only to those with good credentials. 

 Then he ought to decide as soon as possible upon the particular 

 crops he means to specialise in, a decision in which he will no 

 doubt be influenced by the character of the soil, the situation, 

 the demand in the most accessible markets, and his personal 

 preference or skill. Whatever the character and number of 

 the subsidiary lines may be, he ought to produce some main 

 crops in quantity with his utmost skill, so that he will become 

 known as a grower of those particular products, who may 

 always be depended upon for quality and regular supplies. 



An occasional walk through the market, and a chat with 

 some of the salesmen after the rush of business is over for the 

 day, is very advisable ; the grower will then be able to compare 

 the quality of the produce exposed for sale with that of his 

 own, and so get an idea of the general standard expected, as 

 well as an insight into the various methods of packing. The 

 salesmen are generally courteous and obliging, and quite ready 

 to give valuable advice which the grower will do well to profit 

 by ; not only that, but if a salesman is not in a position to deal 

 with any produce offered him he will usually recommend one or 

 two reliable men who can handle it. 



To summarise, the essential points necessary to permanent 

 success in placing produce for sale on a public market are: 

 (1) To place the article before the buyer in as attractive a 

 manner as possible ; this implies washing, trimming, and neat 

 bunching of the common vegetables quite as much as the 

 smart packing of those of greater relative value. (2) To guar- 

 antee reliability; this implies accuracy in weights, measures, 

 and counts, as well as careful grading to ensure a parcel being 

 of even quality throughout. (3) To ascertain the size of pack- 

 ages or weights and quantities most in favour with buyers, and 

 as far as possible to adhere to them without variation. (4) To 

 specialise in the production of a limited number of staple crops, 

 and to consign supplies to the same market regularly and con- 

 tinuously throughout the season when such produce is usually 

 in demand. (5) Having found a satisfactory salesman, or one 



who is as satisfactory as can reasonably be expected under the 



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