As a rule the crop should be harvested just before it reaches maturity.
The time for this depends somewhat upon the distance from the market
and the method of shipment. Remember that it costs just as much
freight for a package of poor goods as for the best, and while there
is a market for good produce, poor stuff not only does not bring good
prices, but reacts upon the superior article, reducing its price.
It is, therefore, poor policy to ship inferior goods. Inspect and
assort rigorously, retaining all doubtful product for canning, or to
be otherwise disposed of. Better lose it entirely than send it to
market to undermine the good. Learn what kind of package the market
you are selling in prefers. Provide that package, and pack the goods
securely and honestly. Be sure the package is full. Not only is this
more honest, but your produce will arrive upon the market in better
condition if this is done. Have the goods in each package as near the
same size as possible, and as near the same degree of ripeness. Do
not make the error of placing the best on top. Remember that every
package is examined by the buyer until he learns whether you are honest
or not, and this practice fools no one, and only serves to make the
buyer wary of your goods. Pack neatly in a neat clean package. Nail it
up securely, stencil your name and post office, and the name of the
consignee upon it, and ship as promptly, and by the most direct route
possible. Notify the consignee promptly of the shipment in order that
he may know it is on the way, and have a chance to provide for its
reception and disposal. The shipment of perishable goods by freight in
refrigerator cars is preferable. Very early in the season ventilated
cars may give satisfaction. Except with a few packages of very early
vegetables or fruits, express shipments will not, as a rule, be found
profitable. Not only will the charges be four or five fold, but the
packages are handled so often, and so roughly, that they invariably
reach their destination in poor condition. Besides this, there is no
assurance as to the temperature being kept low, and a low temperature,
while in transit, is essential to the arrival of your produce upon the
market in good condition.
Careful selection, packing and shipping cannot be too strongly urged.
Upon the intelligence and care with which this is done, depends,
largely, the success of the shipper. Remember that after leaving your
hands, and before reaching the consumer, these perishable goods are
subjected to their greatest ordeal, and too much care cannot be given
to make this test as light as possible. A proper understanding of this
by the shipper would save many a disappointment, and many a hard word
for the consignee. Of course, all else being equal, it is much safer
and more satisfactory to sell on the track. However, this is not always
possible, nor is it always advisable when possible. It would be unjust
to demand or to expect the buyer to pay you the net price of the big
city market for your goods at your home town.
In buying from you there, he takes the risk of transportation, of the
fluctuations of the market, and pays all selling charges, and it is
but just and right that he should be allowed a fair margin for these
risks. On the other hand, human nature is the same the world over, and
unless you watch Mr. Buyer closely, you will find he shows a decided
tendency to make this margin unnecessarily large. To sell on track,
intelligently and advantageously, therefore, you must make a close
study of the market conditions. It is not enough to know what stuff
sold for last week. You should know what it sold for the day before,
and what the conditions of supply and demand are. Is the crop a large
one? Is the movement to your market large or light? Is the demand brisk
or dull? Is your railroad service efficient? All these questions should
be considered, and unless the farmer recognizes that the disposal
of his crop is a business, and adopts business methods, he is sure
to come to grief. In order to do this, it is necessary to have some
reliable source of information. For this purpose, select some reliable
commission house, and if necessary, pay them to furnish you daily
market reports by wire during the shipping season. Do not begrudge the
little money these telegrams will cost, for they will frequently save
you many a dollar, even on one carload.--(La. St. U. & A. & M. Col. 81.)