May, 1925] FARM PRODUCTION IN CHESHIRE COUNTY 41 



profitably ship to outside markets, this increase in supply causes a lower 

 price. 



The greatest competition, however, is between commercial and small 

 vegetable growers. The former, located chiefly along the Connecticut 

 River, outside of the county, depend on no single market but make regu- 

 lar trips to towns within a radius of twenty to forty miles. Some of them 

 have built up a reputation with merchants in these towns for grade and 

 C[uality. They usually have a wide variety of vegetables, and In' bring- 

 ing small quantities of each kind to the market each time they are not 

 seriously affected by a low pvk-e for any one. Some of them make a prac- 

 tice of having some vegetable that is scarce on the market, with which 

 to sell others of which there is an over-supply. Such practices give tlie 

 commercial growers an advantage in selling their crop at above the aver- 

 age market price. 



Local growers, on the other hand, with small acreages of vegetables 

 have a high cost of production, because of more hand labor; they sell their 

 crop when it is convenient rather than according to the demands of the 

 market and depend largely on on<^ market for their sales. In spite of 

 these tiisadvantages, however, they continue vegetable production be- 

 cause it affords them a market for labor that is not being used by other 

 farm enterprises; and their big prol)lem is to receive a higher average price 

 for what they are now producing. 



In oidei- to market their vegetables more successfully, small growers 

 must folhnv closely the trade tlemands. Merchants generally throughout 

 the county express dissatisfaction with purchases from this source, be- 

 cause they cannot depend on a regular supply of well-graded vegetables 

 of good quality. The remedy for this situation is largely an individual 

 one. Any grower can build up a reputation for good grade and quality. 

 Some have done this and are now selling their crop by telephone. Others 

 could profitably follow the same practice or, by regular marketing, en- 

 deavor to obtain advance orders for their supply. The frequent gluts 

 or over-supply of vegetal)les on every market in the comity, with its 

 resulting low price, are caused more b}' irregularity in the marketing of 

 small growers than by commercial growers. No matter what the cause, 

 howevei", the best way to avoid receiving such low prices is l>y regular 

 marketing and taking advance orders whenever possible. 



There are three types or methods of marketing in the county : roadside 

 markets, peddling and sales to stores. A few growers peddle from house 

 to house, especially among the summer residents, but this practice re- 

 quires a large amount of time and is not followed by the larger growers. 

 Local stores constitute the principal market. Roadside stands are a 

 convenient way to dispose of vegetables grown on a few farms. Con- 

 siderable amounts can be sold to the tourists that are passing through, 

 and many city jieople drive out in the evening and buy at these markets. 

 In most cases many other products such as cold drinks and candy are 

 sold. Those considering the establishment of such a market should keep 

 in mind the time required to operate one and the location, which should 

 be where the tourist will notice it over quite a long stretch of road. The 

 market should be made as attractive and inviting as possible, and its 

 successful operation also requires considerable salesmanship ability. 



The demand of summer residents for vegetables is often considered a 

 basis for encouragement and stimulation of vegetable production. Yet 



