186 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



236. Selling to wholesaler. This method of selling 

 makes it possible to operate on the largest scale. The 

 vegetables are hauled to market on big wagons, or liberal 

 consignments are made by train or boat. The grower 

 may cultivate several hundred acres, and ship in car lots, 

 the volume of the business amounting to many thousands 

 of dollars a year. Over 100 cars of cucurbits are pro- 

 duced and shipped annually by a grower on the eastern 

 shore of Maryland. 



Vegetables are consigned on commission or sold out- 

 right to wholesale dealers. It is sometimes said that all 

 commission dealers are rogues, but this is necessarily far 

 from the truth, although there are rascals among com- 

 mission men. Rascals have been known to exist also 

 among vegetable growers, judging from the dishonest 

 packs sometimes put up. Many of the most successful 

 gardeners sell entirely on commission, and they stand 

 ready to defend the honesty and integrity of their deal- 

 ers. Before making a consignment it is important, of 

 course, to investigate thoroughly the reliability of a 

 dealer. Selling for a definite figure is more satisfactory, 

 although it is often impossible to do so without making 

 a sacrifice in price. When shipping to commission deal- 

 ers the grower should insist upon daily reports by tele- 

 phone, or when this is not possible, by telegraph. It is 

 a great advantage to converse daily with the dealer, 

 although this is not practicable in many instances, espe- 

 cially if the grower live hundreds of miles away. 



A very satisfactory way is to sell to agents at the 

 shipping station. This method has been developed at 

 many points in various parts of the country. It really 

 amounts to an auction without an auctioneer. Agents 

 representing city dealers are authorized to buy as 

 directed. The grower receives cash or a check for the 

 goods sold and goes home without any anxiety concern- 

 ing returns for the shipment. 



