476 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
that arrive, or that become in poor condition after 
arrival, as well as a respectable portion of the better 
grades, for they sometimes carry a very good quality. 
“Let us trace these different classes a_ little 
further, bearing in mind carefully that there is no 
arbitrary grading, the perishable qualities of fruit at 
times making the ‘fancy’ of 5 A. M. the ‘peddler’s 
stock’ at 5 P. M. Let us suppose C is a retail 
dealer having the best patronage. He selects what 
he needs (carefully paying no more than he can 
help—which remark also applies to all), has it set 
aside, and sends his wagon for it as soon as he has 
completed his purchases. Arriving at his store, the 
fruit is temptingly displayed to catch the eye, and 
from his stock he fills his orders, taken often with- 
out the price being named in advance, quality being 
the chief requirement, sends to his customer, and 
charges it up to his account. The transaction is 
completed—all but collecting the bill. Many pay; 
many do not, and during the last thirty years, of 
all I have known, in the strictly fancy trade, less 
than a dozen have earned a competence. But little 
net profit remains with them. 
“The retail dealer, D, who supplies the middle 
classes, with a fair proportion of the well-to-do, 
loads his purchase into his wagon, and at once goes 
home to be ready for dinner, placing a moderate 
advance on his purchase price as his selling figure. 
He sells for cash if he ean, or to his ‘book’ cus- 
tomers at practically the same figure. He delivers 
to his customer’s home, if desired, but the bulk of 
