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the price quoted is accepted or if a satisfactory offer is received, the 
shipper should wire immediately confirming the sale at the price 
named. If the car is loaded and ready for shipment this confirma- 
tion may be similar to the following : 
Williamson, N. Y., July 18, 1924. 
Black Fruit & Vegetable Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.; 
Shipped you to-day P. F. E. 31353 Pennsylvania delivery 432 crates USONE 
lettuce dollar f. o. b. 
John Doe & Co. 
" To-days shipment " is accepted by the trade as meaning that the 
goods shall be under billing by the carrier before midnight of the 
day the order is given. " immediate shipment " permits of 24 hours 
longer, " quick shipment " 48 hours longer, and " prompt shipment " 
72 hours longer than "to-day's shipment." 
EFFECT OF BUSINESS METHODS ON SALE 
Many marketing difficulties experienced by shippers result from 
their failure to observe accepted trade practices and good business 
methods. The shipper who misrepresents his offerings or fails to 
describe them accurately, who fails to confirm offers and quotations, 
who neglects to ship at the time specified, and who does not abide 
by his agreements, finds it increasingly difficult to transact business 
with buyers. The trade prefers to buy from shippers whose honesty 
and reliability are unquestioned, whose product is standardized, and 
whose sales policies and business methods conform to accepted trade 
customs. 
FEDERAL SERVICES IN MARKETING 
The important facts necessary in studying market conditions of 
any highly perishable commodity such as lettuce are : 
(1) Knowledge of the daily supplies and expected arrivals in the 
large markets. 
(2) The source of these supplies. 
(3) Shipments day by day from each producing section. 
(4) Production anticipated in each producing section. 
(5) Quality and condition of stocks in producing sections and at 
terminal markets. 
(6) Prices in producing sections and in terminal markets. 
(7) Relationship of current supplies and prices with those of 
previous seasons. 
(8) Relationship of supplies and prices of the commodity with 
those of competing commodities. 
OUTLOOK REPORTS 
Annual agricultural outlook reports are issued by the United 
States Department of Agriculture to provide a better base upon 
which farmers may make plans for the coming season. All impor- 
tant agricultural commodities, including lettuce, receive considera- 
tion in these reports. They are founded upon surveys of conditions 
affecting agricultural production and demand at home and abroad. 
