THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCE 



Selling land produce of all kinds to the best advantage 

 is widely recognised as one of the most difficult parts of 

 a cultivator's business. In fact it constitutes a business 

 in itself, which requires the closest study and a consider- 

 able share of natural aptitude to ensure any substantial 

 progress. There are far more men who fail in this than 

 in the actual cultivation, for many details, apparently 

 unimportant, affect the results in a serious manner. We 

 have reviewed most of the essential preliminaries requisite 

 to produce the best results, and we have now to consider 

 the means by which produce can be distributed to con- 

 sumers to secure the maximum returns at the minimum 

 expense. Those are the objects which a commercial 

 horticulturist must always have before him, and to their 

 attainment he should direct his utmost energies. It is, 

 however, a well-known fact that many skilled cultivators, 

 in giving their best attention to the production of the 

 crops, do not fully realise the importance of an equal con- 

 centration upon the marketing and selling. 



The three essentials are quick conveyance, safety in 

 transit, and the lowest expense that is consistent with 

 safety and speed. The whole of the produce with which 

 the market gardener is concerned is of a perishable nature, 

 some, like the root crops, being much less so than others, 

 but ripe fruits and flowers rank amongst the goods that 

 are most seriously deteriorated in value by undue delay. 

 This must therefore always be the first matter to occupy 

 the attention of the vendor, as, failing that, all other 

 care is of little avail. We have therefore to consider the 



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