The Marketing of Fruit.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 January 1914, Page 2

The Marketing of Fruit.

o (From ;i paper read before the Levin Association by Mr (jr. Stratford, Government Orchard Inspector). Though the fruit industry may still be said to be in its infancy, growers are ralising the gJ&at is<lvantages of systematic pruning and cultivation. These growers should be helped ami encouraged in evta-y possible way, while those who lag behind should be compelled to come up to the standard or go out of the business. With the increasing acreage "the vita] point will be the diMn'bujiQjfc* and marketing of fruit. i,'j> the present growers have received a high price for fruit—liighe^ llian what they can reasonably expect in the future. Still piices will always be such that a commercial orchard will be a profitable investment. To derive the greatest benefit from the marketing of fruit the dominant note , must be co-operation in . some form. For instance it is this system that has made the orange trade of California--a trade valu- , ed at from five to eight millions— a safe commercial 'proposition. Along the Pacific coast co-opera-tive associations have done so much for the -fruitgrowers as what it has done for the dairying industry in this country. .The individual grower, if he is to make a success Of his orchard work lias no time to follow the markets, and the association, with a good manager, who, by means of telegraphic reports is enabled to judge exactly' how selling conditions are, has a great advantage over the individual grower. Buyers often want a large quantity of one variety of fruit which is beyond the capacity of one orchard to supply, but could be filled easily enough by an association of fruitgrowers. Associations can also maintain'a uniform pack in a district and establish a reputation of real cash value. The pack in the Hood Rive rof Ameriqa is sold on the pack alone, buyers knowing that ' they are getting only the best article, and are willing to pay a higher price. The best grades are sold under a certain label or brand which should be copyrighted and must be a sufficient guarantee of the quality if the association expects to gain and hold a . reputation. Again in the purchase of various supplies required in an orchard, the association by buying in quantity, can always get a reduction in price, and has a great advantage over the individual. A capable manager of an association should be well paid, - and the directors—who usually know little of the marketing of fruit -should not be always supervising him, as such only hampers the manager. The tales that another grower outside the' association is getting more for his fruit than, a member should not be heeded. Unscrupulous firms often start rumours so as to get consignments, 'ultimately swind- ■ ling the grower. vSome associations buy and sell for outside growers, charging them a little more than members, but this is not sought for by any means. The plan to allowing growers to pack and grade their own fruit, and handing it over to the association for disposal, should also be discouraged, as so many growers are not competent to pack and grade, which should be done at the central sheds. T,his was tried by an association in British Colombia, but after one season itwas dropped. A strong point, with association grading and packing is its uniformity.. In the larger centres of the United States the associations send trained packers out to the orchards. . These are under the constant supervision of a head pucker, who travels around, and is responsible for the packing, etc. A well managed association is always a i benefit to the entire community, as it sustains pri6es. There is never any difficulty in selling fruit of the best quality, and this can only be obtained by a combination of growers, such as the modern association affords. » _