MOTOR TRANSPORTATION FOR RURAL DISTRICTS 21 
rangements are not perfected. It may be well to mention and to 
discuss briefly collection methods in vogue among practical operators 
in various districts. It should be stated in advance that no system 
worthy of exact duplication has been found by investigators of the 
Bureau of Markets in studying the business arrangements of a large 
number of operators in various sections of the country. Collection 
and delivery arrangements, as a rule, have grown up gradually with 
the business and in many cases are cumbersome, unsystematic and ex- 
pensive. The following common methods are suggested to prospective 
operators and may serve to stimulate thought in the direction of a more 
systematic handling of this phase of the motor-truck business. 
FARM-TO-FARM COLLECTION. 
Farm-to-farm collection usually is adopted on short rural routes 
where comparatively few stops are ordinarily made. Where heavy 
trucks are used, this method of collection is not entirely feasible be- 
cause of the increased cost of operation. Where light trucks are used, 
however, it has proven reasonably satisfactory. One advantage of 
this method of collection is that the business of the operator is con- 
stantly brought to the attention of shippers along his route, and 
tonnage is thus secured which might otherwise move by different 
means. As has been indicated, farm-door collection is costly in time 
and gasoline, and the successful operator must charge rates which 
reflect his increased costs. In practically all instances it is not advis- 
able to deviate far from the main highway in collecting the load. Most 
operators who gather produce at the farm door refuse to go far from 
the regular route over which they ordinarily travel. 
CROSS ROADS COLLECTION. 
Collection at cross roads involves fewer stops than are made when 
the truck collects goods at each farmhouse and commends itself to 
the businesslike operator. Such an arrangement is convenient both 
for the patrons and for the driver. Of course, this method of collect- 
ing goods makes it necessary for shippers to bring their goods to the 
cross roads, but in most cases this can readily be done with the 
facilities at hand on the farm. This method of collection is very 
popular in various sections of the country and probably will remain 
a permanent feature of the rural motor hauling business in many com- 
munities. «In general, it affords a maximum of service and convenience 
for a minimum of cost and comes nearer to fulfilling the ideal con- 
dition than any other method now in vogue. 
CENTRAL ASSEMBLING POINTS. 
Very few rural routes have their business systematized to the extent 
of arranging for central assembling points where shippers may bring 
their goods for transportation to the city. Where proper arrangements 
