Show MERCHANT NOT ALWAYS TO BLAME WHEN PRODUCTS FAIL TO BRING BIG RETURNS the commission merchant can sell the crate of strawberries on the left but he shurld not be held responsible for falling to dispose of the others prepared by the united states department of many farmers who have consign d products to commission merchants have experienced trouble nt one time or another and have accused the IP dieman unfair dealings in some cases perhaps too often there have been of trust on the part of cita dealbera de alera but all the shortcomings attributed to the commission business ore not the fault of the merchant in nil contracts between producers and their agents the commission men each parti hs certain and certain duties and unless one of the parties performs all c his duties he his no right to blame the other pirty for failure to secure the best results davs the united states department of agri culture an example of the commission merchant Is sometimes falsely accused Is told by a bunau of markets special ast 1st who early in his farming ence made frequent use of aliese merchants as a medium of marketing farm products many of his consignment dails wore he sav sand it was easy to drop to the ranks of those who conder cn before they in ite among the berries he pro deuced were a few of such attractive appearance and appetizing flavor that it was natural to believe that shipment of such fruit to the city market ought to be profitable imagine his surprise and indignation when his first shipment of these superior berries was ri ported as undesirable and soft and leaking he determined to investigate vesti gate made another shipment and arranged to be present though un known when the sale was mide he was able to identify his berries in the city market bv a stencil number on each crate he was astonished to learn that however fine the berries might have been when eaten fresh from the field they were so soft and tender that they could not reach the in attractive condition the commission man could not be blamed for the unfavorable sales which resulted and this experience taught the grower to raise ariL ties tatt were not only good but which would carry well avoid competing with yourself one grower who gave great care to his pick had a sharp demand for bis products and his brand was sought by discriminating buyers since he feared that one commission merchant would not be able to dispose of his entire crop to advantage he divided his dally shipment among four commission men in the sime town not being satisfied with he re turns he visited the city and dis covered that the tour dealer to whom he was shipping were located not only on the same street hi t in he same storeroom the shipper s fancy packed products were on sale at tour places and buyers were forcing the four le alers to compete with a resultant cut in prices the farmer changed his method shipped nil of this product to one agent who could set a fancy price for this fancy pach and there wa no competition to destroy hia market suggestions to shippers those who contemplate the iise of commission men ns marketing agents the bureau of markets offers the following suggestions 1 know your agent select one who has n hacked bv experience an advantageous location and competent kielp A personal visit will help the r in deciding these points have n cleir as to charges to he gnadt for servitas servit cs piling firnge etc avld yn firms hint ninke 0 to wh it they will do with shipments among so man dealers it Is not surprising thit some get business through fraudulent n presentation and drop out of bight as soon as a clean up h is been effected 2 know sour market from your carefully acet leam th needs of the market the most desirable varieties to raise proper contilo ers in which to pack and hip style ot pack most the use of labels or brands proper amounts and time of shipment and local such as that for white eggs in chicago and for brown cogil in boston try to cater to existing market demands f u anther tinn to force your own iddis as to what the trade ought to con same 3 make regular shipments instead of making the city commission district the dumping ground for what your local dealers will not buy keep your city agent regularly supplied with his trade will take thereby helping him stabilize the business in which you are both concerned 4 keep ench other informed firla in the shipping season the farmer should rave his agent n careful estt mate of nhat may be expected and no material changes in the of the regular shipment should be made unless prompt notice Is given the agent in order that he may secure purchaser in case of increase or arrange to care for his regular customers if shipments will not meet re quire ments successful shippers make frequent use of the telegraph or long distance telephone to keep agents posted as to changes in shipments the agent should also be expected to keep the shipper informed as to any changes in the requirements of the market M old frequent changes in agents some shippers prefer to divide their shipments each day among numerous commission merchants in the same while it imy wise under certain conditions to check one agent by the sales of another alie most successful consignor seems to be the one who selects an agent with great care and then sticks to him operating cooperating co with him in every possible way and carefully scrutinizing all settlements the honest agent Is glad to do his part in such teamwork and welcomes the roost exacting examination of his |