odd boxes; but this is still done by
some half-way growers. They often have to either take the fruit back and
feed it to the pigs or give it away. Even when they are able to sell it,
they barely cover expense of picking and marketing.

Several methods of selling their fruit are available to the growers
around Mankato. The different methods used are (1) selling direct to
consumer, (2) selling to stores, (3) selling to wholesale houses, (4)
selling to commission men.

The amount handled in the "direct to the consumer" way is rather large
in the case of small fruit, but there is very little so-called "apple
peddling" done. Some growers have regular customers whom they supply
yearly with a barrel or more of apples, but this is usually some friend
or relative. Some growers peddle out their summer apples by driving
through the residence sections of the city and selling to anyone who
wants to buy and in such quantities as they desire, but not all growers
care to follow this plan. Sales are always made for cash, except perhaps
where a person is a regular customer. This method is too unsatisfactory
to be used for winter apples but is often advantageous in disposing of a
large crop of summer apples. The fruit is not usually in very good
shape, and is often that which the fruit dealers have rejected. The
fruit is marketed in any package that happens to be handy, or loose, in
the box, and is measured out usually in small quantities to the buyer.

[Illustration: A load of apples from P.L. Keene's orchard, near Mankato]

The handling of berries direct to consumer is much more systematized and
therefore proves more satisfactory to both parties concerned. The
majority of growers sell a considerable quantity in this way. They pack
in sixteen quart crates, and usually will not divide a crate. The
berries are for the most part delivered on order of the customer, for
cash. Each grower has his regular customers, and some advertise to a
limited extent. This method is usually satisfactory to the grower for he
sells at a fixed price, and over that which he could get at the stores.
He finds that it pays him to furnish good berries, for if he delivers a
poor crate the lady receiving that crate is sure to make it known to her
neighbors, while a good crate will add to his reputation. Therefore, the
grower will take particular pains to have the boxes well filled with
good berries and delivered promptly, in order to hold this trade. In
compensat