4 
BULLETIN 401, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
one, so that local banks which were interviewed in the muskinelon 
sections generally have been unwilling to make crop loans unless 
other security than the muskmelon crop itself was made the basis 
of the loan. Very few growers in the Imperial Valley are able to 
furnish the security which is required. 
The distributor usually employs a trained man, who inquires 
carefully concerning the grower's affairs before closing any contracts 
and who keeps in close touch with all developments during the growing 
season. Further, the distributor's agent usually stipulates the 
variety and also supplies the seed to be used by the grower. He 
often advises with reference to methods of planting and growing, 
picking and packing, and furnishes the material necessary for har- 
vesting operations. Because of his close touch with the situation, 
the precautions taken before making any loans, and the protection 
given such loans by careful marketing of the crop, the distributor is 
willing to furnish money to the grower when others do not consider 
it safe to do so. At present, therefore, there seems to be no satis- 
factory alternative for the contract system. 
FORM OF CONTRACTS. 
In general, all contracts between distributors and growers are 
similar. The following sample is made by using clauses from con- 
tracts of several distributors, and is typical in that it embodies all 
of the mam points of the 1915 contracts: 
Agreement and Contract. 
This contract and agreement, entered into this day of , 191.., by and 
between , of , hereinafter referred to as the grower, 
and , of , hereinafter referred to as the distributor, 
Witnesseth: That for a cash consideration mentioned in paragraph ten of this 
contract and agreement, the Grower hereby appoints the above-mentioned Dis- 
tributor his exclusive selling and distributing agent for all cantaloupes grown, owned, 
or controlled by the Grower for the season of 1915, and agrees to pay the Distributor 
as compensation for his services, a commission of fifteen (15 per cent) per cent of the 
amount of the gross sales of all cantaloupes delivered to and accepted for shipment 
by the Distributor at the shipping shed at , California. 
The Grower agrees to plant or have planted acres of cantaloupes, from seed 
to be furnished or recommended by the Distributor, and to deliver to the Distributor 
at the above-mentioned shipping shed in a properly matured condition, all canta- 
loupes of merchantable quality, packed in standard crates, 12 x 12 x 23$ inches, con- 
taining forty-five (45) cantaloupes; or pony crates, 11 x 11 x 23£ inches, containing 
forty-five (45) or fifty-four (54) cantaloupes, and if, in the opinion of the Distributor 
the conditions warrant, flat crates, 4* x 13.} x 23£ inches, containing twelve (12) can- 
taloupes, each and every crate to contain cantaloupes of uniform size and quality. 
The Grower further agrees to use his best efforts to produce the best quality of 
cantaloupes, as early in the season as possible; to pick, pack, and handle the same 
in a strictly first-class manner, using proper care in every respect to prevent injury 
from any cause, and to deliver the said cantaloupes to the shipping shed in wagons 
