MARKETING SOUTHERX-GROWX SWEET POTATOES. 85 
and ratings of all the dealers in the United States by subscribing for 
the service of one of the commercial rating agencies which cover the 
produce trade. These agencies issue annual and supplementary 
reports and in some instances contract to collect claims, adjust 
differences, and render other services to shippers. The practice of 
consigning in response to the solicitations of unknown dealers should 
be avoided. 
With the exception of a few sales to chain store companies, prac- 
tically all car-lot shipments are sold through wholesale trade channel-. 
Because of conditions which exist in the southern sweet-potato indus- 
try, such as the large producing area, the abundance of supplies, and 
the lack of uniformity in both the grade and the product, the outlets 
and methods of selling are more limited than is the case with certain 
other vegetable crops. Cashsales at shipping points to traveling buyer - 
and brokers are almost unknown. The auction method, used only 
by shippers of highly standardized products, is not suitable for 
sweet potatoes at the present time. Car peddling, or sales made at 
the car door by the shipper to dealers and consumers, is not practiced. 
Sales on ''joint account." which is an arrangement providing that 
the shipper and market representative divide expenses and profit- is 
uncommon. Sales "on track" at destination are usually made only 
in emergencies. The methods generally used are (1) shipment- on 
consignment, and (2) wire sales. 
CONSIGNMENTS. 
The larger part of the southern shipments are consigned. While 
some of the distributors, cooperative associations, and experienced 
individual shippers often succeed in selling nearly all of their cars 
on an f. o. b. or ''delivered " basis, the smaller shippers who have not 
established reputations for quality stock find it necessary to consign 
the bulk of their shipments to commission merchants. A commission 
merchant acts as the shipper's agent. He receives the car, sells it to 
the jobbing and retail trade for the best price obtainable, and remits 
the proceeds to the shipper after deducting his commission and any 
expenses incurred for drayage, storage, repacking, etc. Total charges 
usually range from 10 to 20 per cent of the gross selling price. An 
account sales is usually rendered to the shipper before collections 
are made from the buyers, often within 24 hours. Car-lot whole- 
salers, who ordinarily buy, sometimes handle shipments on a commis- 
sion basis. This is especially true during a season of abundant 
supplies and low prices, such as the 1921-22 season. Shipments 
should not be consigned to car-lot wholesalers or brokers without a 
previous agreement, and consignments to commission merchants 
should. not be made without advance notice. 
WIRE SALES. 
Outright -ale- to distant buyers may be made on an f. o. b. shipping 
point basis, or f . o. b. destination, before shipment; after the ear has 
arrived at market, or while it is in transit. In each instance the 
price is agreed upon before the car is delivered. The "f. o. b. point 
of origin"' sale is the most popular with shippers. The shipper loads 
the car with the buyer agreeing to pay a definite price for it on arrival, 
subject to inspection. The buyer pays the freight and assumes all 
risks of damage in transit not caused by the shipper. Sale^ "f. o. b 
destination," or ''delivered" sales, as they are usually called by the 
