22 BULLETIN NO. 770, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
are made, this method of collecting has much to commend it to the 
business-like operator. Where trucks of large capacity are used, the 
establishment of a few central assembling points will save operating 
the heavy truck in out-of-the-way districts and will materially lessen 
the cost of service to shippers. Two general methods may be used by 
the operator who desires to utilize central assembling points. The 
first method is to have the shippers bring their own products to the 
nearest central assembling point. In this respect, this system differs 
from the cross roads pick-up system only in that the number of stops 
for collecting loads are fewer. The second method is to arrange to 
have a lighter auxiliary truck to assemble all goods in a given district 
for loading on the heavy truck at the central assembling point or 
points. On one important demonstration route fostered by the Bureau 
of Markets, the first method of collection, 7. e., with shippers bringing — 
their own products to the central assembling point, was adopted. 
Later it was found more satisfactory to arrange for an auxiliary 
pick-up service, utilizing a lighter truck to pick up goods for as- 
sembling at central points to be loaded on the heavy truck for trans- 
portation to market. It seems altogether likely that with the enlarge- 
ment of rural motor service and the consequent systematizing of busi- 
ness, the central assembling point for gathering the load will grow in 
favor and importance. 
Whatever method of collection is adopted by the operator, it is 
advantageous to have a small loading platform at each point where 
goods are to be picked up. This loading platform should be the same 
height from the ground as the floor of the truck, so as to facilitate the 
loading of the goods on the truck. Such platforms are inexpensive 
and save much time and trouble when business is flourishing. 
DELIVERY METHODS. 
Methods of making delivery vary as greatly as do methods of 
gathering the load. These, again, are determined by the class of 
business handled, the type of the load, and the size and nature of 
individual consignments. It is impossible to generalize on the sub- 
ject in a publication of this kind, because satisfactory methods must 
be worked out on the ground so as to permit any changes which may 
be caused by local conditions. In many cases, and particularly by small 
operators, delivery is made directly to the door of the consignee. Where 
the business is on a large scale and is fairly well established, the 
operator often assesses an extra charge for direct delivery of packages 
which do not return a minimum gross revenue. This extra charge for 
complete delivery of small shipments varies from 25 cents to $2.00 per 
package. One large motor truck company operating in New York 
