164 MISSOURI ACRICULTURAL REPORT. 



of J. J. Hill of the Great Northern, however, no one of the railroads 

 seem inclined to give it. But there is one arbitrary rule in vogue among 

 the railroads that is sadly in need of correction. That is compelling 

 you to send a man in charge of animal and forcing him to buy a ticket 

 full fare both ways, and a resolution to that effect should be passed at 

 this meeting. It is vmjust, unreasonable and unfair in every way. 



« 



USES AND ABUSES OF PUBLIC SALE. 



The third thing T would call attention to is the public sale ; its uses 

 and abuses. 



The public sale is the market marker, as the rule we are all sup- 

 posed to go by, and is somewhat a criterion for guide. But the senti- 

 ment for the place for holding it has changed materially. It used to be 

 the people would not attend if it was not held at some centrally located' 

 place, easy of access, and we were forced to go, in some instances, 

 quite a distance with the cattle. But now the demand is that you 

 shall hold it at home and the needed improvement in that line is here. 

 For by doing that you can show and be shown the breeding herd and 

 your methods come to the surface, to the best interest of both buyer and 

 seller. And it has practically done away with that "nuisance of nuis- 

 ances," the "sale pirate," for while he might, and did in some instances, 

 go to your city or town sale and solicit your buyers to go home with 

 him, he has scarcely gall enough to come on your farm and do so. 



POINTERS ON CAREFUL ADVERTISING. 



Another improvement that carries with it intelligence in business 

 is careful advertising. We will advertise, of course, one or two ways. 

 We advertise in the papers and advertise at home, and we should be 

 very careful that the advertisement in the newspapers corresponds with 

 what you are talking about at home. For it is hard enough to get your 

 buyers to your place once. And if they do not find your statement ma- 

 terially correct, you can be assured they will not return. Another thing 

 is a system of checking our inquiries. How many oi us really know 

 what paper, or papers, have done us the most good. It is confusing to 

 ask the field men, for they are hardly a unit on the proposition. And 

 while I'm not a sponsor nor agent for anyone, there is a system that 

 simplifies the matter for you. 



Another improvement is to quit advertising job lots. Great clear- 

 ance sales and great fire sales are expected from Hebrew merchants, 

 but unltss you are badly burned do not sacrifice your goods. 



