THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCE 135 



men have succeeded in founding substantial connections 

 on this basis which have subsequently developed into 

 large businesses. If good produce at reasonable prices is 

 brought regularly to the townspeople's doors, a certain 

 trade can be ensured at all seasons, for the freshness of 

 the goods offered should always impart a value to them 

 apart from their actual quality. 



It is little use trying to combine this form of trade 

 with that in which the retailers are supplied by the 

 grower. When shopkeepers find a man is also dealing 

 direct with the consumers, including probably their 

 own customers, it is hardly reasonable to expect them 

 to continue the connection. The grower must decide 

 which form will answer his purpose best, and proceed 

 accordingly. Of course he may be able to include 

 hotels and restaurants in his rounds, and if he succeed 

 in securing the contracts for some of these, or for any 

 large public establishment, he will be on the right 

 road to ensure a market for all he can produce without 

 any intermediate profits being deducted from his takings. 

 The personal influence and aptitude of the seller will 

 exercise a material effect upon the results, but the 

 main points to depend upon are good quality with 

 freshness in the produce and reasonable prices. It is 

 necessary to be early with all fruits and vegetables in 

 their respective seasons, as well as reaching the towns 

 in good time on the days selected for the journeys. 

 Further, the partiality of customers for special articles 

 should be studied, and the characteristic requirements of 

 a town or district must be fully considered. Endeavour 

 to acquire a reputation for certain classes of produce, 

 and maintain a sufficiently varied supply on all occasions, 

 even though it necessitate purchasing for the purpose. 

 If a customer can only be supplied with a portion of 

 what is required, the probability is that other vendors 

 will secure the whole order. 



