18 BULLETIN 1019, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



buyers with orders, the disposition of manufacturers generally to 

 buy or to wait, and the reluctance or anxiety of farmers to sell. 



METHODS OF MARKETING. 



In general, farmers market broom corn by one of two methods — 

 through " street markets " or through " field buying " or selling on 

 the farm. They may also market it by consigning direct to a com- 

 mission house at a terminal point or by selling direct to local fac- 

 tories. 



STREET MARKETS. 



As a result of heavy production of broom corn in any locality, a 

 street market frequently becomes the prevailing method of market- 

 ing. An open market of this kind seems best for establishing definite 

 cash prices. There the manufacturer, the wholesale dealer, and the 

 commission buyer are in evidence. Manufacturers may be purchas- 

 ing their year's supply and wholesale dealers theirs, and since all 

 that the wholesaler purchases must eventually go to the manu- 

 facturer, presumably at an advanced price, it appears that this type 

 of market should be a competitive one. Dealers, too, who buy for 

 the smaller manufacturers on a stipulated commission, find it to 

 their advantage to purchase the brush necessary to meet their re- 

 quirements as rapidly as possible and this increases the competition. 

 Some of the outstanding features of a street market which are 

 claimed as advantages by dealers are : 



There is a saving iu expense over field buying. 



Farmers are better able to compare prices and determine for themselves 

 the relative values of the different grades offered. 



Farmers are better satisfied with prices obtained because they have the 

 opinion of several buyers on the quality offered. 



It is easier to examine and determine the quality on wagons. . 



Time is saved in buying. 



The broom corn is in town ready to load and ship, so there is no danger of 

 damage by rains before delivery after being purchased. 



The farmers realize that a street market, such as that at Lindsa} 7 , 

 Okla., attracts hundreds of buyers, but are not always so sure of the 

 advantages. Some take the view that while sales are readily 

 effected the methods practiced are questionable and fair prices are 

 not obtained. Dealers are often accused of the practice known 

 locally as " sweating." The farmers, for example, have driven in 

 from long distances. Some perhaps have come 20 miles over the 

 hot, dusty roads. On arrival they find an indifference prevailing 

 among dealers, who may stroll leisurely about looking at the 

 offerings, loiter around the hotel lobbies, or sit on the curb whittling 

 or discussing the topics of the day, doing anything in fact but 

 bidding on broom corn. The street in the meantime may be lined 



