BN-39241 BN-18029 



Figure 26.-- Aerial view of typical flue-cured auction Figure 21 '.--Federal tobacco inspectors 



warehouse showing skylights. examining flue-cured tobacco. 



Before the sale . The majority of farmers transport their tobacco to the 

 warehouse in small trucks. Delivery may be several hours or even days before 

 the sale. Many warehouses schedule or "book" deliveries by growers for sale 

 on specified days. Flue-cured tobacco is delivered and displayed for sale 

 in burlap sheets weighing up to 200 pounds. All other types use the tradi- 

 tional wooden "basket" about 40 inches square, furnished by the warehouse. 

 The individual "hands" of tobacco are arranged on the baskets to make dis- 

 tinctive displays. Weights of the baskets vary greatly, depending on type, 

 with the largest exceeding 600 pounds. In some markets, warehouse employees 

 supervise the packing of tobacco onto the baskets. The baskets or sheets are 

 weighed and assigned a ticket containing several carbons. This ticket shows 

 the grower's name, basket serial number, warehouse name, and weight in pounds. 

 Spaces are also provided for the Government grademark, buyer's name and grade- 

 mark, and selling prices. After weighing, the sheets or baskets are moved on 

 the warehouse floor and arranged in rows in preparation for the sale. 



Government inspection and market news services on auction markets . Short- 

 ly before the sale, a Federal inspector examines each lot of tobacco and 

 grades it according to official United States standards. He enters the grade, 

 date, and his initials on the sales ticket, which becomes the certificate of 

 grade for that lot of tobacco. After the sale, data on grades and prices are 

 collected from these tickets to form the basis for published market news re- 

 ports. Current price reports are available to growers on the auction floors. 



Inspection and market news services authorized by The Tobacco Inspection 

 Act are now in effect on all auction markets. The Act provides for free and 

 mandatory inspection on markets designated by the Secretary of Agriculture , af- 

 ter favorable referenda of growers selling on such markets. Government grading 

 and market news services aid the farmer by accurately describing his tobacco 

 and enabling him to determine whether his bid price is a fair one. 



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