CHAPTEE XIX 



MARKETING, STORING, DRYING 



Probably half the profits in commercial vegetable-gar- 

 dening depend on the marketing. Where there are ten men 

 who can grow a product to advantage there may be only 

 one who can sell it to advantage. Horticulturists have not 

 even yet learned the art of advertising. They are afraid 

 to spend money for natty packages, attractive labels, and 

 advertisements in local papers. The bases of good mar- 

 keting are at least five: (1) a good and seasonable prod- 

 uce; (2) uniform grades in the marketed product; (3) 

 good packing; (4) attractive packages; (5) honesty on 

 the part of both grower and seller. Given these qualifi- 

 cations, the gardener need not hesitate to push his prod- 

 uct and to ask the buyer to pay him an extra price. 



Other things being equal, the local market is most to 

 be desired. The grower is known, and he has an oppor- 

 tunity to establish a reputation. He can hold his cus- 

 tomers year by year. All the business may be within his 

 own observation. He knows what is done with his prod- 

 ucts. There is demand for vegetables and fruits at good 

 prices. In any city of 10,000 and upwards a special trade 

 can be established, particularly if the city is mature. This 

 is often denied, but it is nevertheless true. If the grower 

 sells his products in attractive packages, with neat labels 



(439) 



