18 BULLETIN 1019, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
buyers with orders, the disposition of manufacturers generally ee 
_ buy or to wait, and the reluctance or anxiety of farmers to sell. 
oP i 
METHODS OF MARKETING. 
In general, farmers market broom corn by one of two methods— 
through “street markets” or through “ field buying” or selling on 
the farm. They may also market it by consigning direct to a com- 
mission house at a terminal point or by selling direct to local fac-— 
tories. 
STREET MARKETS. 
-As a result of dene production of broom corn in any locality, a 
street market frequently becomes the prevailing method of market-— 
ing. An open market of this kind seems best for establishing definite 
cash prices. There the manufacturer, the wholesale dealer, and the 
commission buyer are in evidence. Manufacturers may be purchas- 
ing their year’s supply and wholesale dealers theirs, and since all 
_that the wholesaler purchases must eventually go to the manu-— 
facturer, presumably at an advanced price, it appears that this type 
of market should be a competitive one. Dealers, too, who buy for 
the smaller manufacturers on a ‘stipulated commission, find it to— 
their advantage to purchase the brush necessary to meet their re- 
quirements as rapidly as possible and this increases the competition. 
Some of the outstanding features of a street market which are | 
claimed as advantages by dealers are: 
«4 
There is a saving in expense over field buying. 
Farmers are better able to compare prices and determine for themselves 
the relative values of the different grades offered. — : 
Farmers are better satisfied with prices obtained because they have the 
opinion of several buyers on the quality offered. 
It is easier to examine and determine the quality on wagons. 
Time is saved in buying. 
The broom corn is in town ready to load and ship, so there is no danger of — 
damage by rains before delivery after being purchased. ; 
The farmers realize that a street market, such as that at Lindsay, — 
Okla.,-attracts hundreds of buyers, but are not always so sure of the 
idvanitaees Some take the view that while sales are readily 
effected the methods practiced are questionable and fair prices are 
not obtained. Dealers are often accused of the practice known — 
locally as “sweating.” The farmers, for example, have driven in — 
from long distances. Some perhaps have come 20 miles over the — 
hot, dusty roads. On arrival they find an indifference prevailing ~ 
among dealers, who may stroll leisurely about looking at the 
offerings, loiter around the hotel lobbies, or sit on the curb whittling 
or discussing the topics of the day, doing anything in fact but © 
bidding on broom corn. The street in the meantime may be lined ~ 
