Markets, Marketing and Storage 255 



about 2 cents a bushel profit in addition to his expenses 

 of li to 2 cents a bushel. 



The wholesale dealer incurs an expense of 5 to 7 cents a 

 bushel in draying to his warehouse and later distributing 

 to the retailer. He must also make a profit on each bushel 

 handled. 



There is also the retailer, whose profit must necessarily 

 be high. This last profit varies from 15 to 30 cents. 



A summary of all expenses incidental to marketing the 

 crop shows a cost of 39 to 70 cents a bushel : 



Table XX 



Retailer 15-30 cents 



Wholesaler 5-10 cents 



Transportation 8-10 cents 



Larger distributor 3-4 cents 



Burlap sacks and car linings 3-5 cents 



Local dealer 5-11 cents 



39-70 cents 



The cost of marketing varies greatly, depending on a 

 number of factors. The distance to market affects freight 

 charges very directly. The time of year when the potatoes 

 are shipped has a bearing on loss in transit and cost of heat- 

 ing the cars. Costs are markedly influenced also by the 

 number of middlemen helping in the sale of the potatoes. 

 Each one must make a profit. There is a lack of definite 

 standards of quality in potatoes, and consequently at 

 each exchange of goods there is keen bargaining to buy 

 low and sell high. The retailers' cost of marketing de- 

 pends largely upon the quantities purchased at one time 

 by the consumer, and the cost of delivering and of main- 

 tenance. 



It is obvious that a lowering of the cost of marketing will 

 be profitable both to the producer and the consumer. The 



