New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-14
THE MARKET VALUE OF A GOOD NAME.

H..
That is an old story about killing the goose
that laid the golden egg, but many American
farmers seem never to have learned it. AT least
enough of them are always making murderous
attacks upon the wealth producing fowl to
harm the whole class and give American food
products bad reputation, which no amount of
honesty on the part of others as individuals can
counteract. The complaint made by Mr. Baker
Of Southampton, England, before the Eastern
New-York Horticultural Society has been made
in other forms to other classes of producers
many times before He says that Americans re-
ceive lower price for their products than any
other people in the world, for the reason that in
the markets Of the world their products are re-
puted to be of uncertain quality. The Tas-
manian gets three times much for his apples
in England as the American. He ships them in
better form. His small boxes are transported at
a cheaper rate than our barrels which waste car
and ship space. The consumer prefers them
and the goods keep better in them Some Amer
leans also try to take advantage of their Gus
toners by hiding poor fruit under good and
they not only disgust buyers and discourage
dealing with Americans, but injure themselves
for the returns they get for their whole product
from knowing purchasers are the value of their
poorest and not their best stock
Anybody who knows how other American
produce has been put at a disadvantage In
European markets by careless and INSCRIPTIONS
persons will be inclined to accept Mr. Bakers
statements well within the truth. The name
which Canadian cheese holds, even in our own
markets, tells the story. 1t is the same way
with butter Then Mr.. Baker tells us the Ans
tralian has the advantage of a good name His
butter sells for 112 shillings a hundredweight
while for American butter % shillings is an I'D
set price And Sc one might go through the list
Some gastronomc critic Of Europe might
modify the old question and ask: "Who drinks
an American wine-withOut a French labeI?"
The investigators of the Agricultural Depart
ment have made frequent reports on the aduI-
teratiOns Of canned goods. A glance at the adj
VertisementS in certain trade Journals will make
IT evident that salicylc acid and other preserya-
tives must be extensively used for meats in
spite Of the denials of persons engaged In the
packing business. So the horticulturist has
plenty OF company when he puts poor articles
on the market as good.
Unfortunately, no one producer or shipper can
be certain OF standing on his own merits in
foreign country. The just suffer for the reputa-
ton Of the unjust. If American fruits are 10 on
joy the favor which is their due abroad they
must be put on the market there in large uuan-
taught that at least certain specific shipments
Of American fruit are always worth having
This might perhaps be accomplished by union
among growers exporters The case of Aus
tralian butter furnishes suggestion The Gov
eminent Of New South Wales and we believe
some of the other colonial governments In their
anxiety TO develop steady demand Ia England
for Australian produce have established public
warehouses from which goods conforming 10
rigid requirements as to quality and packing
are shipped under official brand Special atten-
ton has been given 10 the export butter trade,
and Mr.. Bakers figures may perhaps be ac-
counted for by ii. The United States is prob
ably not prepared TO undertake the warehouse
business, though its meat inspection system is
step In that direction. 1t might be possible,
however, Tor leading exporters who know the
value of good name and realize the folly of
spelling 1t for tie sake OF working off an in
voice of inferior goods now and then to COM
bine for the establishment Of a system of In