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PACKAGES FOR VEGETABLES 



skill in growing and grading and packing if he does not in- 

 form the buyer where further supplies may be sought. Nor 

 does the producer wish the middleman to enjoy all of the 

 credit for the excellence of the product. Today lettered box 

 ends for lettuce, lithographed wrappers for celery and as- 

 paragus, printed covers for tomato baskets, pasted seals for 

 melons, and even labels attached to individual cucumbers by 

 means of rubber bands are becoming more and more com- 

 mon. With most of these, the cost is insignificant. The last 

 mentioned would appear to be so clumsy as to be out of the 

 question, but Mr. G. P. Wrigley, one of our members who 

 lives in Elmira, finds that the whole cost of labels, bands, 

 grading and packing is but two cents a dozen, and the return 

 is considerably greater. 



Advertising. 



The business world advertises, and it pays — when well man- 

 aged. Nevertheless, a large part of the total expenditure is 

 wasted. The little business card which appears week after 

 week is probably of small value, but a Vermont market gar- 

 dener finds it profitable to use a three-inch space each week, 

 announcing something new with every issue. Mr. Wrigley, 

 whose labeling scheme has just been mentioned, inserts a 

 display advertisement in each of his city dailies to announce 

 the advent of his crop each year. He finds it unnecessary to 

 carry the advertising more than a single day. 



Display cards for the grocers to use in their windows and 

 stores are inexpensive and effective. 



In closing, let it be clear that it is impossible to confidently 

 advocate definite methods for particular men, but that each, 

 using sound common sense, must work out a plan for him- 

 self. Careful study of your own local situation and open- 

 mindedness in the consideration of the various possibilities 

 are found to yield dividends in gross returns per acre and in 

 net profit. 



We have a few minutes for discussion. Are any of you 

 using labels? Does that sort of thing pay, Mr. Bonney? 



Mr. Bonney: I think it does. 



