THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCE 133 



invariably require the cheapest goods, but as they will 

 often take produce that would barely pay for sending to 

 market, they are by no means to be despised. In the 

 great majority of instances they are prepared to pay cash 

 for whatever they have, and if they are not, the growers 

 must know his men thoroughly, or the risk in giving 

 credit is too considerable to entertain. 



Markets. — Markets vary greatly in their characters and 

 requirements, which need to be carefully studied by all 

 who utilise that means for disposing of their goods. 

 Not only do they differ in the various towns, but in the 

 largest cities, where more than one market is established 

 for the sale of similar produce, the differences are often 

 considerable. This is well exemplified in the Metropolis 

 by a comparison of the markets at Stratford, Spitalfields, 

 the Borough, and Covent Garden. It constitutes a part 

 of the grower's business to make himself familiar with 

 such differences and utilise the knowledge in his own 

 interest. 



Auction Sales. — Sale by auction is an important means 

 of disposing of large quantities of fruits, but it is almost 

 entirely confined in the Metropolis to imported produce, 

 including fruits, flowers, and early salads or vegetables. 

 In provincial towns the home-grown crops are often sold 

 by auction, though generally in small quantities, which 

 are bought up by agents or collecting salesmen. This 

 is done at Evesham, where, during the^busy season for 

 fruits and vegetables, sales are held every day in two 

 markets, and sometimes twice a day, i.e. in the early 

 morning and the afternoon. It is convenient for small 

 growers who can send their produce by road and avoid 

 the expenses of rail transit. 



It would be thought that such sales might be extended 

 with advantage to growers, but in the chief centres it is 

 urged against the method that British producers rarely 

 consign one class of goods in sufficient quantity of a 



