The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-09-05
IN. H Times.
What Kind of Goods to Send
Abroad.

The American consul at Manchester writes
that the best possible agent American produc-
ers can send out is goods of prime quality.
There is wide market in Great Britain for
various kinds of American products, especially
for such as are of wood to develop a perma-
nent trade all that is necessary is prime q ali
ty in the articles, combined with low cost and
wise methods OF pushing them into notice.
Articles of inferior workmanship or material
do great harm, for the home trade instantly
dwell upon these defects and represent that
theo are fair samples of American goods. AS
an example, having had a couple Of dozens of
canned soups from a well known caterer in
Boston, they gave such satisfaction that some
friends requested that an order be sent for
them when received, the articles proved to be
almost worthless, having "been made where
vegetables, chickens, mutton, etc. were very
scarce and water very abundant" The par
ticular maker thus killed not only what might
have become good trade for himself but gave
all the canned goods from this country bad
name in the influential circle of persons who
know tie facts. A large mill owner, also, has
lately been furnishing to a firm in his town 300
pieces of cotton Of which, to makecovers
for American hams, which after being covered
and wrapped in English style, are sold as En-
glish hams at a sharp advance. American
cheese is similarly treated. Perishable arti-
cles are disposed of in hap-hazard way which
makes their shipment to England needlessly
hazardous. For example, a lot OF 1000 barrels
of apples were sold to various dealers in Liver
pool early in November last at an average of
8s barrel; two days later 300 barrels
precisely similar in quantity and condition,
brought 12s barrel This range of prices
resulted from the usual practice OF forcing
sale by auction at the port Of receipt, but con-
signment TO tha proper parties might avoid
this, with its consequent heavy loss to the
American shipper. American butter is also
classed very low in England, but this need not
he SO. improvements in cheese-making have
raised the rank and sale of American cheese
and can do the like for butter, which should
be freshly made, dry and lightly salted. But
ter-making is trade by itself in England.
and the first-class workman is always sure OF
steady employment at good pay. Cheapness
is Of less consequence than excellence in Eng-
lish markets, and American producers of but
ter and cheese in particular need have no fear
about securing an excellent sale for their sur
plus if they will only attain excellence in quail
ity and improvement in the methods of
promptly reaching the retailers. For the lat
ter, partnerships should be formed between
American and English produce dealers, much
the same as English houses now combine with
the foreign trade in many parts OF the world
for the supply and sale of goods of various
kinds The essential thing is to have always
on the spot somebody having proper skill and
facilities and also an interest in the issue of
the business, instead of having each consign-
ment of goods run its own chances, the only
really interested parties being helplessly at
distance.