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Interview 33
"The Work Was Simply Killing For Horses."
The fruit seaton is still in full swing all over the country ; we therefore require no further excuse for submitting the experiences, in connection with commercial ears, of another fruit grower and market gardener, Mr. R. Vinson, of Orpington.
On our arrival at Orpington one beautiful day a short time ago, we inquired for Mr. Vinson's farm, but were told by a constable that nearly everybody in Orpington was named Vinson. However, we obtained a few of the different addresses, and were luoky enough to " strike oil" the first time. Reaching his farm thereafter, did not mean reaching Mr. Vinson, and for over an hour we wandered through ploughed fields and groves of fruit trees, while our guars; kept well ahead of us on his motorcycle.
Upon returning to the farm buildings, feeling somewhat disappointed, we found Mr. Vinson awaiting our arrival; he had .reevived our letter arranging a visit, and was prepared to give us his attention. He kindly took us to his cottage office, which is conveniently situated close to the farm buildings, and then, taking a comfortable chair, awaited our questions.
" What made you first start commercial vehicles ?" we inquired.
" Well, I do not know exactly what started me, but the idea has gradually developed since my first experience with pleasure cars, between 12 and 14 years ago. I started with hired commercial vehicles some five years ago, arid since then have had great satisfaction, and I may say I have only had one serious breakdown on the road during the whole of that time. The vehieles I am at present. nsing, which, by the way, are not hired, but my own, are two 25 h.p. threeton Commercars, which It bought about. two years ago.
" The ground covered? Oh, that varies from nothing to 500 miles a week, the latter figure being sometimes reached during this time of the year. One of the vehicles sometimes does as much as 140 _miles per day on some days during the busiest part of the fruit season."
" Can you give us any idea of the leads carried ? "
Oh, yes. anything I want to. In the winter I have sometimes used B10 the vans for carrying manure, while at other times they have even 'lent a hand ' in carrying hay. Usually one runs up to Covent Garden every day, especially at this time of year ; it can get through with a load of fruit in 11 hour, and you can understand what a boon it is to get fruit which is picked the same morning sold at Covent Garden shortly afterwards Of course, coming hack the vehicle is loaded with empties." " Do you find a great saving by the use of your Cornmers? "
" Oh, yes, not in actual money, but. in time and in the condition of the fruit ; there are also economies which at first sight would not he apparent. For instance, the horses required for fairly fast long-distence work, such as that required in carting fruit and vegetables to the London markets, must be ex,ceptionally good ones to stand the strenuous labour, but now that I do not have to Ilse them for that purpose, cheaper ones will do just as well on the farm. The actual inclusive cost of the COMMITS works out on the average at something less than 8d. per mile. I am now running them entirely on benzole, and I really believe that if the benzoie were stopped my drivers would leave. The average mileage per gallon is 11, which I consider very satisfactory, as with petrol the mileage was only eight.
" My tires ?" I use none others but Continental, which average well over 15,000 miles, and they
alone in my work have come up to this figure."
"Do you find any special advantages in motor transport, Me. Vinson?"
" Certainly, the fruit arrives in much better condition than was previously the case, and, as a number of journeys can be made in a day, 5i) to 80 per cent. less baskets and tubs are required. There is also the great advantage of getting to market before my competitors, as naturally the first fruit to arrive is much more likely to be sold off at a good price than that which follows, Previously, when using horses, I found that the work was simply killing for them, and I was very pleased to be able to replace them altogether. Kentish lanes are dangerous for any kind of traffic, but with motors, which can be easily manceuvred, many of these dangers are overcome, and my Commers have ample braking powers, which render them perfectly safe even on the steepest " I do not believe in keeping old vehicles, and I shalt most likely sell my present two shortly and get new machines of the immune make in their stead, although perhaps this is only a fad of mine, as the present vehicles are running well."
Mr. Vinson then informed us that he was careful to have his vehicles fully .insured, and after again expressing his appreciation of corn. 'normal motors, mounted his motorcycle to make a fresh tour.