Marketing of Fruit. 



no doubt he could, with a Htle care, have rectified many of them; 

 for the packages may during transit have been interfered with 

 on rail, and the increase in pilfering during recent years is 

 regrettable. Indeed, complaints as to the transport by 

 rail of fruits continue to increase, and the whole system is 

 giving general dissatisfaction. Transport by motor ensures 

 prompt delivery, less handling of the packages, and consequent 

 less bruising of the fruit, and providing the cost is not materially 

 different this system is likely to be extended for marketing fruit 

 in future. 



Sufficient has been written to indicate that reform measures 

 are necessary, and that the growers, the distributors, and trans- 

 port companies can all assist in helping with them. They should 

 be such as to secure the marketing, in proper packages, of well- 

 graded fruit, to satisfy the just demands of the consumer. Deal- 

 ing first with the grower's reforms, the question of varieties arises. 



In the past growers have been in the habit of planting a few 

 sorts of local importance, and the fascination of multiplying these 

 is clearly shown by quoting as an example, that of an orchard 

 in the West of England no larger than an acre and a half, where 

 no less than 17 different kinds were planted. It is true that 

 some varieties do better than others in certain localities, and 

 that some elasticity must be afforded to the grower when making 

 his selection for planting ; but it seems important that the whole 

 industry should meet together to draw up a list of varieties which 

 may be regarded as of commercial importance. It is not expected 

 that all of these would do well in any one district, or in all classes 

 of soil, but most grov/ers would be able to make a selection to 

 suit their needs. If this scheme were adopted, varieties which 

 are useless or are unknown on the market, would in time be 

 eliminated, and a large quantity of the agreed kinds would be 

 produced. The public generally would become acquainted with 

 these kinds and ask for them. Salesmen and retailers could 

 rely on a large bulk of a few sorts and would be in a position 

 to give repeat orders. 



The varieties included in the list should be subject to alteration 

 from time to time, in order that new introductions of decided 

 promise might be added, and worn out or unprofitable sorts 

 struck off. 



When the grower has planted the varieties of fruit that are 

 required by the consumer, he should endeavour, by the adoption 

 of up-to-date hygienic measures in his orchards, to produce clean 

 fruit free from blemish, and in picking to handle it with care, 

 so that it may be pres(Mited to the consumer in a fit manner. 



