ONION SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION. 81 



immediate returns for his crop, loses nothing by shrinkage and handles 

 it only once. He assumes no risk of the keeping quality of the product 

 and possible injury through extreme weather. He frequently gets pretty 

 fair prices in the fall because of the competition among buyers, all of 

 whom are desirous of securing their needful share. This is especially 

 true when the crop is a short one either in the valley or the commercial 

 onion-growing belt. At such times the grower often reaps the benefit 

 of what may be termed a "fictitious local market," which is brought about 

 by the speculators who boost the market higher than general market con- 

 ditions warrant for the purpose of securing onions for storage in antici- 

 pation of a future profit which may or may not be realized. The dullest 

 market usually comes in October after the first rush is over and the local 

 dealers have secured the full quota for their storages. 



Comparatively few onions are now consigned by small farmers directly 

 to commission men. Sales made in this way are for the most part limited 

 to transactions between growers who happen to know certain commission 

 men and consign to them a portion of their own and occasionally a neigh- 

 bor's crop. The reason for the decline in such sales is due, in large part, 

 to the fact that the farmer prefers to sell for cash, to assume no risk in 

 price fluctuations, and no quality or quantity losses; moreover, he prefers 

 to sell to dealers with whom he can make terms in person. 



The sales to local country buyers, traveling buyers, local dealers and 

 commission men for immediate shipment vary considerably from season 

 to season, depending upon the strength of the market and the size of the 

 crop. In 1913 the shipments to November 4 amounted to 1,423 cars, or 

 approximately 50 per cent, of the total shipments for the season. In 

 1914 the shipments to the same date were 2,277 cars, constituting about 

 60 per cent, of the total shipments for the season. In 1915 the shipments 

 were 1,730 cars, or 52 per cent, of the crop. 



An analysis of the total shipments for the season 1913-14 at one of the 

 leading shipping points shows the following facts: — 



Total number of cars shipped, ........ 1,122 



Cars shipped by 4 local dealers, ........ 947 



Cars shipped by all the local buyers and dealers, ..... 1,077 



Cars shipped by farmers interested only in marketing their own product, 49 



Cars shipped by Boston dealers, ........ 6 



A similar analysis of the shipments for the season of 1914-15 at the same 

 station shows that up to November 1, 4 local dealers shipped 477 cars; all 

 dealers and buyers shipped 624 cars; and farmers shipped 75 cars. 



From November 1, 1914, to the end of the season, practically all storage 

 onions, 4 dealers shipped 541 cars; all dealers and buyers shipped 663 

 cars; and farmers shipped 57 cars. 



