48 BULLETIN 54*7, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



trade-mark; if not, they are loaded in a car of unbranded products. 

 The central office takes care of the selling and forwards the proceeds 

 to the local agents, who in turn make out the checks for the growers, 

 payment being made within 24 hours after delivery of the goods. 

 Under tins system the growers do not have to wait for their returns. 

 The association is able to do business on this basis, as a large surplus 

 and good credit provide funds to cover payments to growers for all 

 products delivered but unsold. Its present surplus is about $150,000, 

 and this, together with a paid-up capital of .$42,000, gives the exchange 

 an ample working capital. Hereafter part of the net earnings will 

 be returned to the growers in accordance with the amount of business 

 transacted with the association. 



The exchange makes an extensive use of the telegraph in selling 

 products. Information with regard to the markets is secured daily 

 from salesmen and representatives in the various market centers. 

 In addition to the salesmen, brokers are also employed in effecting 

 sales and in a large number of cities direct telegraphic communica- 

 tion with wholesalers is maintained. The fact that the exchange 

 spends about $20,000 annually for telegraph service shows how 

 important this form of communication is. The sales are for the 

 most part made f. o. b. loading point; consequently the buyer 

 assumes the risk of delay and normal deterioration in transit. Losses 

 that are not included in this risk, and losses resulting from 

 occasional bills that are impossible to collect, are borne by the 

 association. 



The expenses of the business are met by charging a 5 per cent 

 commission on the produce sold by the exchange and a 3 per cent 

 commission on a small quantity of produce that is turned over to 

 selling agents, which consists principally of odd lots and off-grade 

 goods sold in near-by markets. The amount sold in this way never 

 exceeds one-tenth of the total. 



This organization has brought about an intelligent distribution of 

 the products of its members and has greatly expanded the territory 

 serving as a market for the products of the region. The inspection 

 service has resulted in standardization which insures good produce 

 to the consumer and good prices to the producer. 



THE SHEBOYGAN COUNTY CHEESE PRODUCERS' FEDERATION, WISCONSIN. 



The Sheboygan County Cheese Producers' Federation was organized 

 on account of dissatisfaction among the farmers with the prevailing 

 methods of marketing. Thero was a widespread feeling that the 

 prices on the Plymouth Cheese Board were fixed and that the farmers 

 were not receiving as much as they should. A number of meetings 

 of farmers were held and in the summer of 1913 cheese producers' 

 associations were organized at over 40 of the cheese factories, and 



