Each woman in this cooeperative organization must keep her goods up to a certain standard, for an inferior lot of goods sent to a large firm might ruin a reputation.

Three things govern the sale of canned products—­appearances, quality and price.  So many things enter into consideration of prices obtainable that it is difficult to set a standard which will be applicable to different sections.  The quality of the pack, its neatness, the method of marketing and many other matters must be considered in deciding this all-important point.  As a general proposition, however, if the products are uniformly high grade, prices may be obtained which are somewhat in excess of factory-made products marketed in the same manner.

Like any other new industry, the selling should be developed slowly in order to minimize the possibility of loss and to assure stable business.  One should study the situation carefully both from the manufacturing and marketing standpoints.  Plan the season’s campaign before taking up the work, and do not let the enthusiasm of the beginner interfere with good business judgment.

The selling when rightly managed can be made a successful business or it can be turned into a liability through careless, unbusinesslike methods and insufficient or unwise planning.  Properly handled it will pay well for the investment of time and money, and offer opportunity for the disposal of surplus home-canned, home-grown, homemade and home-prepared products of all kinds.

LIVING UP TO CONTRACTS

Care must be taken not to contract for more than can be delivered.  This would be bad business, and business principles must govern in selling home products just as in other enterprises if one is to be increasingly successful from year to year.

Occasionally a quantity of fruit which will not meet the rigid requirements of the canning business can be turned into preserves, jellies or fruit juices.  Preserves and jellies should be marketed in glass, and fruit juices in bottles, although some manufacturers are now marketing some of these products in fiber cups.  This line of products will require some additional equipment, but there is a steady demand for such homemade things and many women are deriving profits through the sale of their tastily prepared jellies, just as pickles and condiments have lined the pocketbooks of ambitious housewives before now.

Home canning for the market is essentially a matter of specializing and of giving the consumer a better product than he is accustomed to purchase.  Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the maintenance of a high standard for home-canned goods.  Care should be taken that every jar measures up to a rigid standard, for a single one which falls below grade will neutralize the reputation and standing obtained by the sale of a dozen jars of perfect product.  A quality is necessary which will warrant a money-back guarantee on every jar.