SELLING METHODS 215 
a sales force in this country. They simply have one 
agent and, by consigning everything to this agent, allow 
him to handle an enormous business through the auction 
companies. Even large organizations sell practically all 
of their imported fruits through the auction companies. 
In a like manner most of the fruit that is shipped from 
Fig. 114—THE FREE CITY MARKET AT BOSTON, MASS. 
Many cities have similar free markets where produce may be sold as 
it comes in from the farm. 
the United States to England, especially fresh fruit, is 
sold at auction abroad. 
Their method of doing business is somewhat different 
than the auctions in the United States, in that it is 
more strict and has less publicity. Fruit that is im- 
ported from the United States is taken to the dock and 
samples opened up for inspection. Most of the auction- 
ing is done in the warehouse, on the docks. The fruit 
is sold in barrel or box lots, the auctioning lasting from 
10 o’clock in the morning until the day’s shipments are 
sold out. There are four or five auctioneers taking turns 
