MARKETING FARM PRODUCTS 421 



must cover interest, insurance, and storage. This is 

 enough to pay these costs. 



But there are yet other problems to be considered. If 

 corn is sold and hauled during the winter months, the 

 work can be done when it will not interfere with farm 

 work. This point is usually enough to offset any gain 

 from holding. 



How much one needs the money must also be con- 

 sidered. 



Sometimes more pounds per bushel are required when 

 corn is very green. It rarely pays to sell under this 

 condition. Elevators do not want corn that is too wet 

 to ship. When they buy such corn, they find some way 

 of cutting the price very heavily, either directly or by 

 taking more pounds for a bushel. It rarely pays to sell 

 until a product is fit to be handled by shippers. 



If a farmer is carrying considerable stock, it is very 

 desirable to hold some corn until July. If prospects are 

 good for a crop, it can then be sold ; if not, it can be kept. 

 In years when corn is very high, it is usually best not to 

 do much of this holding. In years when corn is low, it 

 pays to hold for feed or for sale. 



In selling live-stock, it sometimes pays to plan to have 

 the stock ready at the season of high prices. This is 

 particularly true of horses. Carriage horses are usually 

 very low in the fall and high in the spring. A farmer who is 

 raising such horses can winter them cheaper than they can 

 be wintered in town, so that he makes money by holding. 



Draft horses are highest in the spring. They have a 

 second slight rise in price in the late fall, probably when 

 horses are being purchased for winter teaming in cities. 

 It usually pays a farmer best to sell draft horses in the 

 spring. The fall seems to be the second best. 



