MARKETING GRAIN AT COUNTRY POINTS. 7 



PURCHASES AT A FLAT RATE. 



If purchased at a flat rate, the buyer takes all of the grain at a 

 fixed price. To do this some knowledge must be had of the quality 

 of a farmer's grain or a sufficiently large margin of profit must be 

 demanded as protection against loss in event of poor quality. Under 

 this system of equal price it is evident that the producer of high- 

 quality grain usually receives less than it is worth. 



PURCHASES BY GRADE. 



When purchased by grade the price is established for grain of a 

 certain quality. In case the grain delivered is of a lower grade, either 

 because the grain it- 

 self is inferior or on 

 account of the pres- 

 ence of dirt, a defi- 

 nite amount is deduct- 

 ed from the price. In 

 the past the grades of 

 the small grains have 

 been determined prin- 

 cipally by the test 

 weight per measured 

 bushel, but in some 

 instances other fac- 

 tors, such as excessive 

 moisture, must, smut, 

 damaged and sprout- 

 ed grains, were also 

 considered. Each of 

 these factors has a 

 definite weight in the 

 grades which are be- 

 ing fixed by the Sec- 

 retary of Agriculture 

 under the United States grain standards act and will probably be 

 considered more carefully in the future. 



MAKING TEST WEIGHT. 



Farmers generally understand the use of the test weight per bushel, 

 but have no means of knowing all of the other considerations, so for 

 fear of offending the customer the buyer frequently pays more for 

 damaged grain than it is worth, adjusting the loss by a corresponding 

 reduction in the price paid for better grades. The method of mak- 



Fig. 1. — Hand tester commonly used at country elevators. 



