THE MARKETS 423 



developed satisfactorily and will pay the small producer much 

 better than the larger city trade. 



A great variety of markets are open to the poultryman, and, 

 according to his location and production, he may choose any one 

 of the following methods: (1) Selling direct to the consumer; (2) 

 selling direct to the retailer; (3) shipping to commission merchants. 



Selling direct to the consumer insures the largest revenue, as 

 all expense of commission and extra handling is eliminated. This 

 market is usually limited, unless one lives near a small city or 

 village, in which case he can generally build up a retail route 

 which will take his entire output. A disadvantage is the amount 

 of time consumed in taking orders and distributing. To determine 

 whether or not this method pays best, the time spent in dis- 

 tribution should be balanced against the lower price and extra 

 expense of commission when shipping by the third method, the 

 cost of production being in each case the same. 



The most satisfactory way of selling direct to consumers is 

 to supply hotels, restaurants, and clubs, as they usually contract 

 for the entire output and are willing to pay a good price, and it 

 is much easier to ship the entire output to one place at certain 

 specified times than to spend time and labor in disposing of it 

 among many small consumers. This last method offers an ex- 

 cellent chance of advertising, an advantage to both the poultry- 

 man and the purchaser of the products. 



Selling Direct to Retailer. Often one can sell both eggs and 

 dressed poultry direct to some retail grocer, who is glad to get 

 them and to pay a good price. Knowing they are perfectly fresh, 

 he can sell them to his high-class trade and develop a good mar- 

 ket for the poultryman. It may be necessary to go to a distant 

 city or distribution point to find his market, but it will always 

 pay when once secured. 



Shipping to Commission Merchants. The easiest and simplest 

 way in which to dispose of the bulk of poultry products is through 

 the commission merchant for sale in the open market. In iso- 

 lated cases the merchant can perhaps secure a special market 

 for a guaranteed product, and this is becoming easier each year. 

 But by this method the cost of marketing is very high and the 

 price realized is the lowest. The commission, transportation, 

 cartage, and, in most cases, loss by breakage, are always charged 

 to the shipper. The commission usually amounts to five per 

 cent of the gross receipts. 



