FACTORS IN FRUIT GROWING SECTIONS. 17 



depends much on the individual and his adaptability. The 

 demand for fruit is on the increase and the consumption of fresh 

 fruits per capita is now greater than a few years ago. With the 

 introduction of improved methods of storing and shipping, fresh 

 fruit is destined to play a more important part in the diet of 

 every American. Comparatively a few years ago fresh fruit was 

 regarded as a luxury but now it is looked upon as a staple article 

 of diet with special hygienic values. 



Overproduction of Fruit. There is occasionally an overpro- 

 duction of fruit in some districts, but it is rare that there is an 

 overproduction of good fruit. Our chief trouble is that our 

 methods of distribution are faulty and our people do not get the 

 fruit they want. Fruits that can be readily used for canning or 

 drying purposes are most stable in price because, when low in 

 price, it is easy to dispose of the surplus. Fruits which keep 

 over a considerable period, as winter apples, are more stable in 

 price than these that are perishable, as berries or peaches. The 

 tendency is certainly toward cheaper good fruit, but there is 

 also a growing discriminating taste for fruit of the best quality 

 and the number of consumers who are willing and able to pay 

 a fair price for a good article is fast increasing. As wealth 

 increases this discrimination in favor of the best will become even 

 more pronounced than it is today. 



The successful fruit grower must be well grounded ir/ the 

 principles of growing fruit and the many problems that are sure 

 to present themselves in the course of the annual round of 

 duties. Not only is it desirable that he know how to grow 

 fruit but he must know how to market It. In other words, he 

 must be a good business man. Some of the most successful fruit 

 growers and horticulturists have been men who were not raised 

 in the work but have taken it up late in life and succeeded largely 

 because of their business training and ability. This is not to 

 say that farmers' sons do not make good farmers, but they often 

 fail to get the most out of their farm practice owing to the lack 

 of business training. In this respect another man may perhaps 

 excel, although he may not understand the practice of "handling 

 the land. The fruit industry is especially suited to the man of 



