12 BULLETIN 1019, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
or local buyer. As such he has his home at some distributing point 
and purchases for cash the broom corn arriving on his market. If 
abnormal conditions develop in his territory he may be unable O 
obtain his requirements at home, so he goes to other districts to 
purchase. He then becomes a traveling buyer. Or possibly he may 
do what is generally termed wholesaling, but may be a retailer as well. _ 
The term “commission man” is probably more confusing than 
any other, because it is applied to certain dealers who, on account 
of the many laws enacted to control the handling of farm products 
sold on commission, have changed their methods of doing business — 
so that their activities do not come within the jurisdiction of these > 
laws. Reference is made particularly to those who buy broom corn 
outright, and therefore become temporary owners of the brush, yet 
receive a stated commission on the transaction. ‘These men are com- 
monly termed ‘* commission buyers.” | 
Commission men, however, are generally understood to be dealers — 
who receive broom corn to sell on a commission basis. They have — 
no financial interest in the corn and act only as agents; consequently _ 
the term is made still more confusing when it develops that some ~ 
commission or consignment merchants also purchase and sell for 
their own account. It will be seen, therefore, that a designation that 
may seem specific may develop to be one with decidedly arbitrary 
meaning. a 
WHOLESALE DEALERS. 
The large wholesale dealers probably study market conditions more — 
closely than other classes of buyers, and considerable importance is _ 
attached by the smaller and less influential dealers to their activities. 
It is estimated that about one-half of the broom corn raised in this — 
country is purchased at country points by these firms, the bulk being Pf 
stored in immense warehouses and distributed throughout the year as _ 
needed by the various factories. Since it is necessary for them te ~ 
carry large stocks over long periods of time, their success necessarily © 
is measured by their ability to anticipate future market conditions — 
and to avoid, in part at least, the hazardous speculation usually at- — 
tending the marketing of this commodity. To do this, large amounts _ 
are expended each year in determining the probable acreage, yield, 
and quality, the general demand for brooms, and any other factors ~ 
hkely to indicate the trend of the future market prices. a 
Many of the wholesale dealers represent large financially respon- — 
sible organizations that employ traveling buyers who keep their firms — 
fully informed regarding prevailing conditions, in addition to buy- : | 
ing. With such an organization it is possible for a firm to be in con- — 
stant touch with conditions at all important shipping points and to — 
direct the buying from a central office. The advantages are apparent. ~ 
