148 THE BOOK OF MARKET GARDENING 



their markets by road. That defects are numerous and 

 charges heavy are well known to all who have to trans- 

 act much business with the British railway companies, 

 but how far remedies can be applied and rates reduced 

 is an important and complicated question which has not 

 yet been fully answered. Many of the Companies con- 

 tend that they have brought their charges to the lowest 

 level ; that a good deal of the fruit and vegetable traffic 

 on their lines as at present conducted, barely pays ex- 

 penses ; and that further improvement can only be 

 brought about by the growers consigning their goods in 

 greater weights. The feeling of dissatisfaction is, how- 

 ever, very general, and this is abundantly proved by the 

 evidence taken before the Departmental Committee of 

 the Board of Agriculture in 1 904, which, though con- 

 cerned with fruit traffic, practically embodies the experi- 

 ence of market-gardeners generally, many of whom 

 are largely dependent upon fruit. 



The complaints are classified as follows : 



1. That the rates for carriage are too high for the 

 services rendered. 



2. That preferential rates are given in the case of 

 foreign fruits coming into this country. 



3. That preferential rates are given to one place 

 over another in Great Britain ; that the incidence of the 

 charges is variable ; and that the existing classification 

 presses hardly on growers. 



4. That deliveries are frequently unpunctual so that 

 fruit misses the market. 



5. That there is a great deal of bad handling of fruit. 



6. That pilfering frequently occurs. 



7. That the service given in many places is inade- 

 quate j and that the vehicles provided, especially on 

 goods trains, are often most unsuitable. 



8. That considerable delays and losses occur in con- 

 nection with the conveyance of empties. 



