Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-06-24
LMINGTON, DEL, THURSDAY, JUNE "a, 1869.
cARTER's CHARGES FROM JERSEY CITY.

cARTER's CHARGES FROM JERSEY CITY.
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-I am aware that there is
considerable dissatisfaction on the part Of peach
growers in regard to the subject of paying the
four cents carriage from Jersey City to New York
on basket of peaches. II they were conversant
with all the facts in the case they would say moth
ing and as have the honor Of being the first
person who sold peaches which came directly
through from Delaware to New York think II
will be admitted that ought to know something
of that about which write.
The first fruit sent through by Adams Express
was delivered by them to me- but the amount Of
fruit increased SO rapidly, and the demand for it
was so great that the dealers insisted upon going
to Jersey City to enjoy greater privileges in se-
lecling from the car than If they remained in the
market. This is the way the buyers formed the
habit of going to the dcpot,and now let me show
why the habit should not be abandoned. In the
first place 1t is expected that every farmer is to
send his fruit to Market and when il stops in the
depot it Is certainly not IN the market. The
dealers go there to make their selections of fruit
only on account of the advantages arising from
the privilege Of looking at IL in the cars, and
learning how many there are of certain marks,
quality, etc. This avoids much difficulty on the
part of tho dealers, and besides is benefit to the
farmer, as the fruit is seen to greater advantage
ia the cars
That may all be true, says one, but why not
give the buyer to understand that he must
pay the carriage. For this reason 1t is the
peculiar custom of our city to sell by the
shilling, which is in plain English twelve-and-a-
half cents. For instance if the salesman offered
them for $100 per basket he might receive an
offer of six or seven shllings, or to come nearer
the point, say seven and sixpence To make the
allowance for the carriage, which would be cents
more than the carriage, aud there are but few
dealers who would refuse SO close ON offer. In
Philadelphia the case might be different, as they
would name cents in the deal, and the buyers
will not purchase so close to the mark simply to
accommodate the farmers Ideas of how business
should be done.
Besides, many new difficulties would arise in
cartiDg which do not now exist. As IL Is, every
dealer makes arrangements With q sufficient
number of carmen to do all OF their work: the
boss will take charge of the whole. attending to
the connt in londing and get the receipts for them
on delivering them to the purchaser, thus secur-
ing the salesman against loss In numbers, which
is q very important point TO dealers us well as
farmers, for no farmer likes TO see bill returned
with short count, when he knows that he sent
full count. Every farmer should remember that
dealers nave more Lnan one car 10 ulspuse ol, anu
they canDot be present In more than one place ut
the same time, consequently they must have one
carman to depend upon, and II every one who
purchased must pay for his bwn carliug he would
Of course employ his own carman. aud the risk
of loss, and sorting Of fruit or marks correctly
would be extremely difficult.
Farmers have no idea of the labor attending
the carting of this fruit. II is not simply placing
it on his cart to finish the job but after this the
carman must go among those he delivered them
TO and collect the baskets again, keeping cor
rect account of the number received FROM each
one then take them TO the stand, or store, as
tho case may be- and after they are tied up they
must be carted to the cars. Thus you see there
three carriages Instead of one-iye landings OF
the packages, and two ierriages.
| Now ii strange carmau did the work, when
would the farmer get his baskets? He would not
do all this extra work without extra pay as he
would have no interest in returning them, neither
| would the buyer. Says one, charge him with
| the baskets, that will make him return them.
That might answer and it might not Tor have
| frequently heard these buyers say, "They are
niue; paid you for them, and will return them
| when get ready" My advice to the farmers is
to let the present system alone, for they will save
money by doing SO.
In connection with this article, let me relate an
amusing speech made OH this subject. person
said: $50 those old farmers want lis to pay the
cartage on the peaches do they9 The next thing
will be we must pay the freight on them, and
| furnish the baskets" q. w. lDELL,
Fruit anil Produce Dealer,
| No. 1928 Greenwich Street, New York.