UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 266 
Contribution from Office of Markets and Rural Organization 
CHARLES J. BRAND, Chief 
Washington, D. C. 
August 16, 1915 
OUTLETS AND, METHODS OF SALE FOR SHIPPERS 
~~~rT*"~bf FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 1 
• 3 -R A | 
_By.J..W. ! I^:s|iEji^ Jr., and J. H. Collins, Assistants in Market Surveys, and Wells A. 
Sherman, Specialist in Market Surveys. 
j, Departed °^ l 
F s v. ~ f "" 
Introduction 
Finding a market 
Market quotations , 
Visiting the market 
Business responsibility . . . 
Advertising 
Primary outlets for producers . 
Cooperative associations . . . 
Sales direct to consumers . . 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Primary outlets for producers— Continued. 
Sales through middlemen 
General sales practices and terms 
Sales at point of origin 
Sales in transit. 
Sales at destination 
Conclusion 
Summary 
Glossary 
Page. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Numerous publications have been issued dealing with the prepara- 
tion of goods for market, but little definite information has been 
compiled as to how the commodities are marketed, where to find a 
market, how to ship, how the grower can protect himself in business 
dealings, and other questions of vital importance. Farmers are 
inclined to suspect almost all middlemen of sharp practice, and are 
especially prone to believe that commission men misrepresent the 
condition of goods on arrival and render short returns. 
Producers are often accused of deliberate dishonesty in their 
business relations with middlemen because of their failure to live 
up to agreements in the manner dictated by commercial practice. 
Yet, in a great majority of cases, the trouble is not caused by inten- 
tional dishonesty but rather arises through ignorance of. trade condi- 
1 For exposition of distribution methods and charges in the city see Collins, J. H.; Fisher, J. W., jr., 
and Sherman, Wells A. Methods of Wholesale Distribution of Fruits and Vegetables on Large Markets 
Bui. 267, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1915. 
Note.— This bulletin should be of interest to shippers, dealers, and consumers of fruits and vegetables 
throughout the United States. 
96016°— Bull. 266—15 1 
