28 FRUIT HARVESTING, STORING, MARKETING 



matics of it are spoiled; but that ought not to draw a 

 complaint from the mathematician, for the same cir- 

 cumstances have often spoiled the calculations of the 

 fruit grower. This stimulation which high prices give 

 to production tends to set a maximum limit on price 

 — that is, to the varying ratio of demand and supply. 



2. Transportation. — Next to production, transpor- 

 tation facilities chiefly determine the quantity of fruit 

 offered in a given market. Increased transportation 

 facilities, therefore, by bringing larger quantities of 

 fruit to market, tend to depress prices. This rule is 

 hardly open to exception; but it must be noted that 

 though prices may be reduced, the grower's net profits 

 may be increased. 



3. Information. — The rapid circulation of informa- 

 tion concerning markets tends powerfully to regulate 

 the distribution of a fruit crop. It sometimes happens 

 that the Cincinnati market is glutted with grapes on 

 the very day when the people of Pittsburg are almost 

 bereft of that comforting fruit. But where shippers 

 are properly informed, these mistakes of distribution 

 do not occur. This is one of the best features of sell- 

 ing associations or pools. See page 18. 



4. Perishability. — The more perishable fruits show 

 extreme fluctuations in supply. When strawberries 

 are ripe they have to be sold; and as they ripen rapidly 

 during hot weather and at the hight of the season, 

 the supply increases enormously at such times. 



5. Storage. — Facilities for fruit storage equalize the 

 supply, making it less at the hight of the season and 

 greater in succeeding weeks. 



