May, 1929] Demand for Vegetables and Poultry 25 



At the present time, there is a small dressing and packing plant in 

 the central part of the state doing retail and wholesale selling and operat- 

 ing all the year round. Live poultry is purchased at the plant 1 cent 

 under the Boston wholesale quotation. Even though this plant has been 

 operating several years it has experienced difficulty in finding sufficient 

 poultry to supply its regular trade. A specialty is made of dressed fowl 

 and roasters. Broilers are seldom handled because of the extra expense. 

 The proprietor stated he could not afiford to dress and sell broilers be- 

 cause of western competition. 



It is still a matter of conjecture whether a large dressing plant could 

 operate profitably all the year round ; it is quite certain it would be im- 

 possible on a 3 or 4 months basis. Undoubtedly a large volume would 

 make storing and distributing services more satisfactory. Furthermore, 

 New Hampshire poultry men have the definite advantage of being on the 

 ground and securing any premium which the hotels are willing to pay. 



SUMMARY 



1. A survey was made of ten White IMountain summer hotels in 1928 

 to learn the demand for vegetables, eggs, and dressed poultry. 



2. The investigation shows the hotel demand is very exacting and re- 

 quires products of the highest quality during a three months period. 



3. The hotels require a dependable source of suppHes. In the past the 

 local men who did not appreciate this necessity failed to develop the 

 hotel market. 



4. The hotel managements expressed a willingness to purchase local 

 products when they are graded satisfactorily and priced in accord- 

 ance with wholesale prices on the terminal markets because local 

 products are fresher, more palatable and there is less waste. 



In general the prices paid by the hotels are above the highest 

 wholesale quotations due to the better quality of products required. 



5. Often local products have been so much superior to those shipped 

 from outside sources that they have brought a premium. This is 

 especially true for beets, carrots, green peas, head lettuce and spinach. 



6. Vegetables are desired which equal at least the requirements of U. 

 S. No. 1 and in many instances of U. S. Fancy grade. 



7. Seasonal contracts for vegetable supplies were mutually beneficial 

 to the hotels and local grower. 



8. There are instances where local growers are successful and are in- 

 creasing their acreage and volume of business yearly. Hotel 

 gardens are being discontinued as local growers increase their busi- 

 ness. 



Several sections are so well cared for by established growers 

 that there is not room for others. However, there are sections 

 where ample opportunities exist for further development. 



9. Figures are not available as to cost of production and net profit in 

 the growing of vegetables, and it will be necessary to make further 

 investigation and study cost factors and adaptability to climatic 

 conditions before general recommendations can be made. 



10. Demand preferences were about equal as to color of eggs. 



