162 MODERN FRUIT MARKETING 
The seasons'of the year. (7) The supply of other 
fruits. It is probable that the conditions of the country 
effect the fruit industry as much, if not more, than any 
other farm product. If the country is prosperous every- 
body can afford fruit. If the country is not, then the 
partial luxuries which include many of our better fruits 
are the first to be dispensed with, in an effort to reduce 
the cost of living. 
The bulk of the fruit in the larger citieg is sold to 
working men—the ones who draw salaries by the week or 
month, as clerks in factories, shops, ete. When these 
people are all busy earning good wages they all spend 
their money freely for fruits and are willing to pay a 
good price for good fruit. On the other hand, if busi- 
ness is dull many are often out of work. If the con- 
ditions, in general, are not encouraging the demand for 
fruit falls off on account of the reduced ability to buy. 
The quality of the fruit offered effects the demand 
materially. Most people are willing to pay a good price 
for good fruit. On the other hand, there are many who 
wait for a lower market price because of a surplus or an 
unusual heavy shipment, and where the quality is good 
there is always a ready market. Where the quality is 
poor the price runs down and the demand usually be- 
comes much less. The price asked for the fruit also 
effects the demand. Certain organizations establish their 
own price. If their managers put it too high, buyers 
will not take the fruit. If the cost of production is so 
high that the price must be put where the fruit becomes 
a luxury, then the demand will again fall off. 
Certain fruits are used largely in the regular diet as 
a food. Fruits like the apple, banana, orange, etc., have 
