MARKETING GRAIN AT COUNTRY POINTS. 11 



minimum carload, for he will be compelled to pay freight on at 

 least that amount in any event. This minimum varies in different 

 parts of the country, and the railroad agent should be consulted re- 

 garding the precise minimum weight for a carload. 



METHODS OF SALE. 



When the country-elevator operator is ready to market his grain 

 it may be sold " on track " or " to arrive," or it may be " consigned." 

 Possibly its disposition may have been effected some months in ad- 

 vance by a sale for future delivery. 



SALES "ON TRACK" AND "TO ARRIVE." 



In nearly all sales " on track " or " to arrive," the price, usually a 

 definite one, is fixed before shipment is made. In the case of an on 

 track sale the buyer pays freight charges, the seller meeting them if 

 the shipment is sold to arrive. The seller, in on track or to arrive 

 sales to interior mills or dealers at points where there is no inspection 

 usually has no other charges to meet, with the possible exception of 

 a bank exchange fee, which is sometimes charged on drafts. In such 

 cases it is customary for the buyer to pay the exchange on on track 

 sales and the seller on sales to arrive. It is also understood, unless 

 the contract of sale specifically provides otherwise, that the shipper 

 guarantees the condition and weights of the grain at destination in a 

 to arrive sale, but in the case of an on track sale he guarantees simply 

 that the weight and grade loaded into a car agrees with the terms 

 of the contract and bill of sale. 



In the case of shipment to a terminal market, the consignor, in 

 addition to paying the freight on a to arrive sale, also pays the 

 weighing and inspection charges, and, in some instances, pays inter- 

 est on draft against the shipment. There are other charges which 

 it is customary for the shipper to meet in certain markets. If the 

 seller in making a sale on track guarantees the weight and grade of 

 the shipment to a market, it is usual for him to pay charges incidental 

 thereto as in a to arrive sale. 



In sales to arrive or on track a specified time of shipment such as 

 3, 5, 10, or 15 days usually is fixed, and shipment must be made 

 within that period. In other instances, terms of to arrive sales call 

 for a specified delivery at destination in the same manner. At times 

 shippers make on track or to arrive sales for delivery some months 

 in the future. Shippers, for example, sell neAv corn in July and 

 August for shipment in November and December. This practice 

 is not to be generally commended or encouraged, because of the like- 

 lihood of future misunderstandings. However, when dealers make 

 future delivery contracts with farmers for their grain it affords them 

 a method of protection against loss on such purchases. In consider- 

 ing either to arrive or on track sales, it must be understood that there 

 are numerous ways in which these contracts may be modified. The 



