MARKETING BROOM CORN. 25 



a fair price only to be forced later by natural declines to accept a 

 lower one. 



Commission men encounter some serious difficulties. It is custom- 

 ary to make advances to the farmers in order to meet the obliga- 

 tions incurred by them in the growing and harvesting of the crop. 

 These loans are secured by the value of the broom corn only, and 

 this does not always prove to be adequate protection. When serious 

 breaks in the market force prices to very low levels, it is difficult 

 and sometimes impossible to collect from farmers the balances due 

 on account of the advances made to them. A general feeling of 

 distrust toward commission men makes it difficult for them to render 

 satisfactory service. 



SELLING TO LOCAL FACTORIES. 



The quantity of broom corn sold to local factories by farmers is 

 insignificant compared with the quantity sold to dealers. At many 

 distributing points small manufacturing concerns operate possibly 

 two or three winding machines, but more frequently some individual 

 has a small plant of his own. By being on the ground he is able to 

 obtain broken lots, parts of bales, or bundles at his own price. 

 Although whole bales are, also purchased, this is an outlet to the 

 farmers for the small broken lots which ordinarily are not very 

 salable. 



SAMPLING. 



A number of factors entering into the proper classification of 

 broom corn must be considered in sampling. Besides the important 

 items of fiber, length, and color, there are others, such as the condi- 

 tion of the tip, brittleness, curly growth, seed on the brush, and 

 general condition and appearance of the bale. It is difficult to de- 

 termine how much each of these affects the value. A manufacturer, 

 for example, when he buys a car of this commodity, must expect to 

 receive every kind of brush. One kind usually predominates, but the 

 variations necessarily are many. 



Fiber is thought by some manufacturers to be of first importance. 

 The fineness, uniformity of size, and wearing qualities receive due 

 consideration. Those familiar with broom corn, however, are aware 

 that pea-green brush has the most vitality and pliability and that 

 the bleached brush has less vitality and is more brittle. 



Color is an important factor in broom corn, the pea-green being 

 the most desirable in appearance and usually in wearing qualities. 

 Stained broom corn has no place in a fancy broom, as- it is objec- 

 tionable both in appearance and in wearing qualities. 



Length is important in so far as it determines the use to which the 

 brush can economically be put. Brooms are designed so as to use 

 the greatest amount of brush with the least waste and therefore 



