4 BULLETIIsr 401^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICXJLTXJEE. 



one, so that local banks which were interviewed in the muskmelon 

 sections generally have been imwillmg to make crop loans unless 

 other security than the muskmelon crop itself was made the basis 

 of the loan. Very few growers in the Imperial Valley are able tO' 

 furnish the security which is required. 



The distributor usually employs a trained man, who inquires 

 carefully concerning the grower's affairs before closing any contracts 

 and who keeps m close touch vnih all developments during the growing 

 season. Further, the distributor's agent usually stipulates the 

 variety and also supplies the seed to be used by the grower. He 

 often advises with reference to methods of planting and growing, 

 picking and packing, and furnishes the material necessary for har- 

 vesting operations. Because of his close touch with the situation, 

 the precautions taken before making any loans, and the protection 

 given such loans by careful marketing of the crop, the distributor is 

 willing to furnish money to the grower when others do not consider 

 it safe to do so. At present, therefore, there seems to be no satis- 

 factory alternative for the contract system. 



FORM OF CONTRACTS. 



In general, all contracts between distributors and growers are 

 similar. The following sample is made by using clauses from con- 

 tracts of several distributors, and is typical in that it embodies aU 

 of the main points of the 1915 contracts: 



Agreement axd Contract. 



This contract and agreement, entered into this day of , 191 . . , by and 



between , of , hereinafter referred to as the grower, 



and , of , hereinafter referred to as the distributor, 



Witnesseth: That for a cash consideration mentioned in paragraph ten of this 

 contract and agreement, the Grower hereby appoints the above-mentioned Dis- 

 tributor his exclusive selling and distributing agent for all cantaloupes grown, owned, 

 or controlled by the Grower for the season of 1915, and agrees to pay the Distributor 

 as compensation for his ser^dces, a commission of fifteen (15 per cent) per cent of the 

 amount of the gross sales of all cantaloupes delivered to and accepted for shipment 

 by the Distributor at the shipping shed at , California. 



The Grower agrees to plant or have planted acres of cantaloupes, from seed 



to be furnished or recommended by the Distributor, and to deliver to the Distributor 

 at the above-mentioned shipping shed in a properly matured condition, all canta- 

 loupes of merchantable quality, packed in standard crates, 12 x 12 x 23^ inches, con- 

 taining forty -five (45) cantaloupes; or pony crates, 11 x 11 x 23J inches, containing 

 forty-five (45) or fiity-four (54) cantaloupes, and if, in the opinion of the Distributor 

 the conditions warrant, flat crates, 4-i x l^ x 23^ inches, containing twelve (12) can- 

 taloupes, each and every crate to contain cantaloupes of uniform size and quality. 



The Grower further agrees to use his best efforts to produce the best quality of 

 cantaloupes, as early in the season as possible; to pick, pack, and handle the same 

 in a strictly first-class manner, using proper care in eveiy respect to proA'^ent injury 

 from any cause, and to deliver the said cantaloupes to the shipping shed in wagons 



