ON PLUM AND PRUNE PROFITS 



Another minor point that might readily be 

 overlooked is that the Burbank plums increase the 

 earnings of the retail dealer, who not only makes 

 a direct profit from their sale, but so beautifies 

 his exhibit by introducing these large and hand- 

 some fruits as to attract customers, and thus facili- 

 tate the sale of his less attractive fruit as well. 



Finally, the earnings of the Burbank plums 

 advantage the ultimate consumer. The new plums 

 can be produced so much more cheaply that 

 sooner or later this reduction in cost of produc- 

 tion will rebound to the benefit of the final pur- 

 chaser. He gets the fruit at half the former price. 

 The fruit itself is of greatly improved appearance 

 and quality, yet it costs less than smaller, less at- 

 tractive, and less highly flavored plums formerly 

 cost. So in the end the consumer shares the profit 

 of the Burbank fruits with all the other parties 

 concerned. 



If in conclusion I revert to the statement that 

 nobody is made financially poorer except the 

 originator of the fruit, it is only that I may add 

 that he also receives an adequate reward in the 

 knowledge that he is a benefactor of all parties 

 concerned and a detriment to none. 



If he can only pat himself on the back, while 

 others may pat themselves on the purse, perhaps 

 his satisfaction after all is not less than theirs. 



[273] 



