MARKETING GRAIN AT COUNTRY POINTS. i/s| 
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 1t 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 
8, 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 new corn in July and 
August for shipment in November and December. This practice 
is not to be generally commended or encouraged, because of the hke- 
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 
