18 BULLETIN 979, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
It is impossible to advise the shipper as to the times when hay may 
be marketed most advantageously at terminal markets, because suc- 
cessful handling depends to a great extent upon the ability of the 
shipper and upon his knowledge of the current market situation in 
the markets or consuming territory available to him. 
METHODS OF SELLING HAY. 
The profits of the country hay shipper depend as much upon the 
methods and terms of sale employed as upon the markets to which he 
sells. In fact the method of selling and the terms of sale are fre- 
quently the factors determining whether a sale is profitable or not. 
There are four different methods by which the shipper usually sells or 
markets his hay, namely, "shipper's track," "to arrive," "delivered," 
and "on consignment." These relate to the time at which the terms 
of sale apply. 
" Shipper's Track." 
The sales term, "shippers track" means that the whole sale is 
consummated at the shipper's loading point and that unless otherwise 
specified all liability of the shipper ceases when the bill of lading has 
been signed by the railroad agent and the car has been accepted for 
shipment by the transportation company. The advantages of this 
method to the shipper are evident. He is not liable for any future 
losses that may occur and gives no further attention to the movement 
of the car. The difficulty is to find buyers who will purchase hay by 
this method. 
The reliability of the shipper and the state of the markets are the 
principal factors entering into a sale of this kind. If the buyer is 
certain of the honesty and reliability of the shipper he may not hesi- 
tate to buy his hay " shipper's track," but if he has any doubt as to 
the shipper's knowledge or judgment of the character of hay loaded 
into the car or of his honesty, he will not buy by this method unless 
forced to do so by an urgent demand which he has been unable to fill 
in any other way. The method is entirely fair, however, and there is 
no good reason why hay should not be sold as freely by this method 
as by any other. 
" To Arrive." 
The term " to arrive " as applied to the marketing of hay is given 
slightly different interpretations in various sections of the country 
and by different dealers. It is frequently used synonomously with 
the term " in transit " and is applied to sales which are made while 
the hay is en route from shipping point to destination. The terms 
of such sales are usually the same as those of " delivered " sales. " To 
arrive " is also used to indicate shipments to be made at a future date, 
