12 BULLETIN 1019, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



or local buyer. As such he has his home at some distributing point 

 and purchases for cash the broom corn arriving on his market. If 

 abnormal conditions develop in his territory he may be unable to 

 obtain his requirements at home, so he goes to other districts to 

 purchase. He then becomes a traveling buyer. Or possibly he may 

 do what is generally termed wholesaling, but may be a retailer as well. 



The term " commission man " is probably more confusing than 

 any other, because it is applied to certain dealers who, on account 

 of the many laws enacted to control the handling of farm products 

 sold on commission, have changed their methods of doing business 

 so that their activities do not come within the jurisdiction of these 

 laws. Reference is made particularly to those who buy broom corn 

 outright, and therefore become temporary owners of the brush, yet 

 receive a stated commission on the transaction. These men are com- 

 monly termed " commission buyers." 



Commission men, however, are generally understood to be dealers 

 who receive broom corn to sell on a commission basis. They have 

 no financial interest in the corn and act only as agents ; consequently 

 the term is made still more confusing when it develops that some 

 commission or consignment merchants also purchase and sell for 

 their own account. It will be seen, therefore, that a designation that 

 may seem specific may develop to be one with decidedly arbitrary 

 meaning. 



WHOLESALE DEALEES. 



The large wholesale dealers probably study market conditions more 

 closely than other classes of buyers, and considerable importance is 

 attached by the smaller and less influential dealers to their activities. 



It is estimated that about one-half of the broom corn raised in this 

 country is purchased at country points by these firms, the bulk being 

 stored in immense warehouses and distributed throughout the year as 

 needed by the various factories. Since it is necessary for them to 

 carry large stocks over long periods of time, their success necessarily 

 is measured by their ability to anticipate future market conditions 

 and to avoid, in part at least, the hazardous speculation usually at- 

 tending the marketing of this commodity. To do this, large amounts 

 are expended each year in determining the probable acreage, 3 T ield. 

 and quality, the general demand for brooms, and any other factors 

 likely to indicate the trend of the future market prices. 



Many of the wholesale dealers represent large financially respon- 

 sible organizations that employ traveling buyers who keep their firms 

 fully informed regarding prevailing conditions, in addition to buy- 

 ing. With such an organization it is possible f ot a firm to be in con- 

 stant touch with conditions at all important shipping points and to 

 direct the buying from a central office. The advantages are apparent. 



