THE FARMER AND THE COMMISSION MERCHANT. 157 



has his own brand competing with itself in the same market. 

 It does not pay either firm to specially advocate the brand, 

 because it has no monopoly of it. 



A feature not touched upon yet is that of advances. 

 When a farmer accepts a loan from one wdio should be his 

 servant, the natural conditions are reversed. The real owner 

 of the produce is the commission merchant who has made 

 the advance, if it is a large one, and he Avill treat it as his 

 own, so far as he chooses to do so. It will probably be loaded 

 with an expense which will bring a profit to the commission 

 merchant. If the final account does not show the advance 

 repaid, the crop for the next year is " tied up," as all contracts 

 for advances run in that way. The proper place for a farmer 

 to borrow money is at his bank. If his credit is insufficient 

 to effect that, he is farming on inadequate capital. In this 

 case he must do the best he can, which is probably to go to 

 the commission merchant. If compelled to borrow of your 

 agent, frankly accept the situation, inform him fully of your 

 affairs, pack your goods in the very best manner, seek to fulh 

 understand market conditions, and be satisfied with the result, 

 whatever it is. Under such circumstances the commission 

 merchant w^ill be very likely to do his best for you, and these 

 unnatural relations may continue pleasant for years. A farmer 

 wdio is upright, frank, and prompt will be almost certainly met 

 in the same spirit by the commission merchant who has lent 

 him money. 



