2 BULLETIN 298, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
erading is carefully performed and the packing is standardized and 
rigidly inspected, peaches will be much more profitably marketed in 
almost all cases. 
Most of the crop is marketed in containers holding from one-third 
to 1 bushel, the size and kind of container varying with the section 
of the country from which the peaches are shipped. In the West the 
peach box holding approximately 20 pounds is used; in the South- 
west the four-basket crate, six-basket crate, and bushel basket; in 
the Central States Climax baskets, half-bushel and bushel baskets; 
and in the East and South six-basket carriers, half-bushel and bushel 
baskets. 
The large number of varieties of peaches that may be grown suc- 
cessfully in some sections tends to prolong the period within which 
they can be marketed profitably. By planting a proper assortment 
of varieties the peach season in any particular locality can be extended 
somewhat, but as the picking season for any one variety is very short 
and as the principal commercial orchards are planted largely to 
Elbertas the commercial shippig season in these districts is very 
short in proportion to the large percentage of the total crop which 
they produce.* 
The peach, on account of its very perishable nature, must be 
marketed as soon as possible after reaching maturity; therefore, the 
proper dispatch and distribution present many difficulties. Peaches 
will not stand delay, even when graded, packed, and handled in the 
best possible manner. If the grower of apples is not satisfied with 
the price offered at the time of harvest, he can store certain varieties 
until the following spring, when prices may be better. Peaches, on 
the other hand, must be disposed of immediately. If not already 
sold when loaded on the cars they must be started at once toward the 
market, and if they are not sold while en route it is important that 
they go to a market not already overstocked. An oversupply may 
occur in one market meaning heavy losses to certain growers, while 
at the same time consumers may be paying high prices in other 
localities. It is probable that many smaller towns could serve as 
carload distributing points if local dealers in these towns would 
cooperate in buying peaches by the carload and in pushing their sale. 
The problem of peach marketing is one of irregular production and 
of unsatisfactory preparation and distribution rather than of over- 
production. The increased consumption of California oranges made - 
possible by effective distribution is an example of results accruing 
from care in the marketing of a crop of which there is a comparatively 
uniform supply. 
1Gould,H. P. Growing Peaches: Varieties and classification. (Farmers’ Bulletin 633.) 
