456 Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



Fourth illustration: This car is strictly uniform, good stock, attract- 

 ing several buyers, but it sells at some reduction, for the reason the car 

 is loaded below minimum weight and the bill of lading is not protected by 

 inserting "smaller-sized car ordered," naming size of car ordered. Re- 

 member the buyer must pay excess freight to its final destination, and 

 the producer must stand the difference, which is considered in the sell- 

 ing price. Remember also that hay poorly baled will cause a loss by 

 breakage and that many markets do not pay for broken bales. The car 

 officially grades "No. 1 alfalfa." 



Fifth illustration: Here is a car of hay that really needs no intro- 

 duction. It has the color, the feeding value, is of uniform grade and is 

 loaded to full minumum weight. It attracts all buyers. They bid for 

 it, and it finally sells at 50 cents to $1 per ton above market quotations. 

 This should be an incentive to the producer, as a premium is generally 

 paid for such high-class goods. It officially grades "choice alfalfa." 



The above show how the hay buyer must work for the interest of the 

 consumer and how the hay salesman must work for the interest of the 

 producer. Now let us see for whose interest the Kansas City Hay Deal- 

 ers' Association is working. In this connection we find it has established 

 scales, weighmasters, track watchmen and inspection. It has brought 

 about uniform minimum weights. It has fought inspection bills at 

 Jefferson City, which otherwise would have cost the producer 50 cents 

 per car extra. It has fought advances in freight rates, both directly and 

 also through the Kansas City Transportation Bureau, at a cost of thou- 

 sands of dollars, resulting in the building up of the world's greatest hay 

 market for the producer. Not only does the association work for the pro- 

 ducer, but its individual members also work for the producer. 



The question may arise: Can a producer ship his own hay to market 

 and obtain the same results as a regular shipper? My judgment is that 

 he can. Often he can do it better, if he will take a personal interest in 

 preparing his hay for market and observing the following rules: 



1. Always load bales on edge. 



2. Load cars of uniform grade. Otherwise advise amount of each 

 grade loaded. 



3. Load cars full minimum weight or have bill of lading protected by 

 agent. 



4. Send itemized list of bales and weights with bill of lading. 



5. Do not load any damaged or spotted bales with good hay. 



6. Do not bale hay containing artificial moisture, caused by dew or 

 rain. Remember that hay will cure and take care of its own moisture, 

 while artificial moisture is damaging. 



Careful baling and loading are also important. We often receive con- 

 signments even of "No. 2 alfalfa" so carefully baled and loaded that it 

 sells for one of two grades higher. This also applies to other grades. 



I suggest to the producer that before consigning a car of hay to 

 market that he first prepare his hay as nearly as possible as suggested; 

 and then carefully select a reliable dealer one that is working for the 

 general good and be sure such dealer is a member of the Kansas City 

 Hay Dealers' Association, thus affording absolute protection. 



