206 • Lessons in Fruit Growing. 



agents; and a circular letter describing the kind, quality 

 and prices of stock for sale, with a promise of prompt and 

 regular delivery, and solicitation for a trial order, may be 

 mailed to each. The responsibility of unknown parties 

 may be learned through bankers or commercial agencies. 

 Purchasers may generally be found who will deal fairly so 

 long as the grower performs his part conscientiously. 



320. Selling: to commission merchants. By this method 

 •the largest quantities of fruit can be sold, and with the 

 least trouble to the grower, but the prices realized are often 

 unsatisfactory. The grower is, in the nature of the case, 

 largely at the mercy of the commission man, and often has 

 no ready means of knowing to what extent he is fairly 

 dealt with. It is unquestionably true, however, that honor- 

 ■able commission merchants are to be found in nearly every 

 large city, and it is often the grower's highest policy to 

 find these men and to entrust his selling business to them. 

 Having found such a merchant, the grower should lean 

 much upon his judgment and should obey his directions 

 to the letter. Unknown middlemen who solicit trade by 

 circulars and letters, promising prices above the market, 

 should always be regarded with suspicion. The "price 

 currents" sent out by large commission merchants are 

 often helpful, but should not be closely relied upon, as 

 they are not always carefully revised and are at best several 

 hours old before they reach the grower. The telegraph 

 and telephone are better means for securing price quota- 

 tions from out-of-town markets. Express and railroad 

 agents sometimes find purchasers for goods shipj)ed by their 

 lines, but unless paid a commission, they can hardly be ex- 

 pected to use much efiTort to secure highest prices. 



321. Shipping: associations. In districts where numer- 

 ous persons grow and ship fruit, an association for ship- 



