MARKETING HAY AT COUNTRY POINTS. 17 



carries tag weights, the producer will naturally insist that the hay 

 be delivered to the siding and that the shipper accept the tag weights. 

 If the shipper has reason to believe that the tag weights are in- 

 correct, either because they were incorrectly marked when the hay 

 was baled or because there has been shrinkage since the hay was 

 baled, he will want the hay delivered where it can be weighed on 

 wagon scales. It often works out when the producer, whose tag 

 weights are suspected of being incorrect, insists on delivering to a 

 point where wagon scales are not accessible that the shipper will 

 make a rough estimate of the amount the tag weights are off and 

 lower his price per ton accordingly. 



Responsibility for damage before Kay is delivered. — The problem 

 of ownership of hay that is damaged by water or destroyed by fire 

 after hay has been sold but is still on the producer's premises is a 

 vexing one. It is more than this, for it almost invariably causes bit- 

 ter controversies and often lawsuits before the matter is finally 

 settled. In some States at least the law bearing on the point in 

 question is not clear, as is evidenced by the frequency of suits, espe- 

 cially when hay is damaged by fire. 



Verbal contracts do not amount to much when water or fire dam- 

 ages hajr after the sale has been made. A written contract is the 

 only kind that should be regarded as binding when hay becomes 

 damaged. 



CONTRACTS,. 



It is good business practice to use a written contract, especially if 

 it is fair to both parties. There are many types of contracts drawn 

 up by shippers that vary only in minor points. The following con- 

 tract, used by a large shipper in New York State, will serve to show 

 the general trend of shippers' contracts. 



Oeiginal to be Billed to John Smith. 



: , N. Y. , 19—. 



Mr. , P. O. address , sells and John Smith, of -, 



N. Y., buys the commodity , described as follows . 



Customary Conditions Covering This Contract. 



Delivered to the buyer's warehouse or into cars at , N. Y. 



Seller agrees all hay to be of the same quality throughout, as shown on out- 

 side of mows. It is mutually understood and agreed upon that if moldy, 

 stained, or off-colored hay or hay of inferior quality to that shown on the out- 

 side is found in the mows, balers may stop pressing or bale the same for the 

 seller. When hay is not delivered from press to the cars or buyer's warehouse, 

 :it is to be stored by the seller in such a manner that it can not become dam- 

 aged, and is to be delivered on board the cars or at the buyer's warehouse at the 

 direction of the buyer. 



