4 BULLETIN 266, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
Many shippers, when writing to distributors, fail to give sufficient 
information concerning their prospective shipments. The dealers 
therefore can not give fair quotations on the offered goods. Informa- 
tion can not be too explicit or detailed. Many shippers write that 
they have a car of apples whioh will be ready to ship on a certain date. 
The dealer does not know whether this shipment is in bulk or barrels, 
nor what varieties, grades, or sizes are to be included. A satisfactory 
letter to a distributing firm must mention the following points: The 
probable date of shipment, the commodity, number of packages, kind 
and size of package, quantity and quality of each variety, whether it 
is a freight or express shipment, and the road and route. A car-lot 
shipment seems large to the average farmer who is in the habit of 
shipping in small quantities, and he may labor under the impression 
that the dealer will be looking for this one car only, and that, conse- 
quently, detailed information as to the time of shipment, and other 
items, is not essential. On the contrary, this car upon its arrival at 
the market is but one of many, and may receive no special attention 
if sufficient information is not given the market representative. 
Moreover, detailed information' often enables the dealer to effect a sale 
before the arrival of the car. 
When he merely writes or telegraphs for prices the shipper must 
remember not to offer the goods for sale, for, if he does offer them for 
sale, naming a price, and the dealer writes or telegraphs an acceptance, 
the contract is legally closed from the time this acceptance is mailed 
or telegraphed, and the shipper can be held liable in case he breaks the 
contract. This danger may be avoided by the insertion of the phrase 
"sale subject to confirmation." A copy of each letter or telegram 
should be retained by the sender for filing. When writing for prices, 
the shipper should let the dealers know what and when he expects to 
ship, inasmuch as they may be able to offer some valuable suggestions. 
MARKET QUOTATIONS. 
In determining the best market, it is not sufficient merely to get 
quotations from the different cities and ship to that market which 
quotes the highest prices. Freight and other charges must be sub- 
tracted from these quotations, and, all factors considered, the best 
market is the market which shows the greatest net returns. However, 
too much dependence must not be placed upon these quotations, as 
in many cases they are merely approximations or opinions as to the 
trend of the market and are not usually direct offers. In case of 
doubt the best plan is to sell in the market with which the shipper 
is most familiar, through some one familiar with the goods and ways 
of the shipper. 
In finding a market, the quotations or " price currents" will often 
be of value in determining the general price levels. These quotations 
