MARKETING BROOM CORN. 15 
SMALL MANUFACTURERS. 
The bulk of the broom corn is used by small factories that are too 
{ ‘small to keep a regular buyer in the field and yet are large enough 
| to justify early purchasing. The small manufacturers often go to 
| the producing sections and either purchase their supplies themselves 
| or get resident or traveling buyers to purchase them. In either case 
_ the personal inspection of the broom corn at points of origin is the 
| thing desired. The small manufacturer is usually a good bidder. 
‘He enters the field to buy his year’s supply, which may amount to 
only two or three cars. Formerly he purchased from a dealer, pay- 
| ing the extra price for the privilege of being supplied when his 
needs demanded. With him it is a case of purchasing quickly with 
the least possible overhead expense and returning with his purchase 
| to the factory. These buyers usually prefer a street market. 
TIME OF MOVEMENT. 
Broom corn lis first available in Texas. The movement begins in 
the Rio Grande Valley usually between July 1 and 10. The season 
| of heaviest movement from country points extends from this time 
| until the Colorado broom corn moves in October. 
Under present methods of marketing there seems to be a decided 
tendency among growers to turn this commodity into money as soon 
as baled. There are several reasons for this. Farmers, as a rule, 
borrow money to raise or harvest the crop. This usually is short- 
_ time paper, drawing 10 per cent interest. The banker is therefore 
financially interested and, while usually willing to extend credit, 
more frequently advises early selling, particularly if prices are at all 
favorable. If prices are decidedly unfavorable and large amounts 
have been lent to farmers, the banks often feel forced to protect 
| _their depositors by calling on the growers to liquidate their indebted- 
ness. This they do by selling at whatever price they can obtain. 
Uncertain trends of market prices make the holding of broom corn 
_ with a view to greater profits decidedly problematical. Farmers gen- 
erally show little inclination to hold their product if it is possible to 
obtain what they consider a reasonable price. This tendency often 
_ prevents their receiving a fair price, since the markets are frequently 
_ glutted by their efforts to effect early sales. A glutted market 1s | 
invariably a weak market, which reflects lower tendencies, and this 
often creates a fear of still lower prices and increased offerings—a 
_ condition favorable to dealers but decidedly unprofitable to growers. 
Another factor which has stimulated early selling is the opportu- 
nity presented to growers to sell early in the season. As the first aim 
of all dealers and manufacturers is to purchase brush that meets their 
sy 
9 
~ particular requirements, the impor tan¢e of being in the field to buy 
