MARKETING BROOM CORN. 25 
- Commission men-encounter some serious difficulties. It is custom- 
ary to make advances to the farmers in order to meet the obliga- 
ES ions incurred by them in the growing and harvesting of the crop. 
/ ‘These loans are secured by thes value e the broom corn only, and 
this does not always prove to be adequate protection. When serious 
breaks: in the market force prices to very low levels, it is difficult 
| and sometimes impossible to collect from farmers the balances due 
on account of the advances made to them. <A general feeling .of 
De distrust toward commission men makes it difficult for them to render 
satisfactory service. 
SELLING TO LOCAL FACTORIES. 
The quantity of broom corn sold to local factories by farmers is 
_ insignificant compared with the quantity sold to dealers. At many 
distributing points small manufacturing concerns operate possibly 
_ two or three winding machines, but more frequently some individual 
has a small plant of his own. By being on the ground he is able to 
H obtain broken lots, parts of bales, or bundles: at his own price. 
_ Although whole bales are also purchased, this is an outlet to the 
_ farmers for the small broken lots which ordinarily are not very 
salable. 
3 
is SAMPLING. 
Rion irises: 
Puiai: ie 
ty 
A number of factors entering into the proper classification of 
_ broom corn must be considered in sampling. Besides the important 
items of fiber, length, and color, there are others, such as the condi- 
tion of the tip, brittleness, curly growth, seed on the brush, and 
general condition and appearance of the bale. It is difficult to de- 
termine how much each of these affects the value. A manufacturer, 
for example, when he buys a car of this commodity, must expect to 
receive every kind of brush. One kind usually predominates, but the 
_ variations necessarily are many. 
Fiber is thought by some manufacturers to be of first importance. 
_ The fineness, uniformity of size, and wearing qualities receive due 
- consideration. Those familiar with broom corn, however, are aware 
_ that pea-green brush has the most vitality and pliability and that 
_ the bleached brush has less vitality and is more brittle. : 
q Color is an important factor in broom corn, the pea-green being 
_ the most desirable in appearance and usually in wearing qualities. 
Stained broom corn has no place in a fancy broom, as it is objec- 
 tionable both in appearance and in wearing qualities. 
a Length is important in so far as it determines the use to which the 
brush can economically be put. Brooms are designed so as to use 
the greatest amount of brush with.the least waste and therefore 
