VEGETABLE GARDENING 
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236. Selling to wholesaler. — This method of selling 
makes it possible to operate on the largest scale. The 
vegetables are hauled to market on wagons or trucks, or 
liberal consignments are made by train or boat. The 
grower may cultivate several hundred acres, and ship in 
car lots, the volume of the business amounting to many 
thousands of dollars a year. Over 100 cars of cucurbits 
are produced and shipped annually by a grower on the 
eastern shore of Maryland. 
Vegetables are consigned on commission or sold out- 
right to wholesale dealers. It is sometimes said that all 
commission dealers are rogues, but this is necessarily far 
from the truth, although there are rascals among com- 
mission men. Rascals have been known to exist also 
among vegetable growers, judging from the dishonest 
packs sometimes put up. Many of the most successful 
gardeners sell entirely on commission, and they stand 
ready to defend the honesty and integrity of their deal- 
ers. Before making a consignment it is important, of 
course, to investigate thoroughly the reliability of a 
dealer. Selling for a definite figure is more satisfactory, 
although it is often impossible to do so without making 
a sacrifice in price. The grower should arrange to secure 
daily market reports by telegraph, telephone, or other 
means. With the recent developments in radio commu- 
nication, it will soon be possible for all farmers living at 
points distant from market to install necessary equip- 
ment at small expense and thus receive daily authorita- 
tive market quotations on all crops. 
A very satisfactory way is to sell to agents at the 
shipping station. This method has been developed at 
many points. It really amounts to an auction without an 
auctioneer. Agents representing city dealers are au- 
thorized to buy as directed. The grower receives cash or 
a check for the goods sold and goes home without any 
anxiety concerning returns for the shipment. 
