2 BULLETIN 191, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
THE FARMER'S INTEREST IN DEMURRAGE. 
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1912 (the latest for which 
statistics are available), products of agriculture amounted to 11.27 
per cent of the total tonnage of all commodities handled by the rail- 
roads of the United States. 
This percentage is exceeded only by products of mines, which were 
49.09 per cent of the total tonnage, manufactures, 13.47 per cent, and 
products of forests, 17.11 per cent. Products of mines, products of 
forests, and 8 of the 13 commodities classed as manufactures will load 
heavier per car on the average than any of the 8 commodities classed 
as products of agriculture, with the possible exception of grain. 
Regarded absolutely, the tonnage of agricultural products is great 
and the shippers of these products are interested in an adequate 
supply of cars. To move a given tonnage of agricultural products 
requires a greater number of cars than to move the same tonnage of 
the heavier loading commodities. Relatively, therefore, shippers of 
agricultural products are more interested than other shippers in the 
supply of cars. In addition, in agriculture there is a greater number 
of shippers for a given tonnage moved than in either the mining, 
manufacturing, or lumber industry, so that, measured by the number 
of people directly affected, the interest of agriculture in car supply is 
greater than that of other industries. The very nature, of the business 
and the character of the product offer additional and peculiar reasons 
for agriculture being more vitally interested thau any other industry 
in car supply and car efficiency, both of which depend directly on 
demurrage. 
Unlike forest products, mineral products, or manufactures, agri- 
cultural products are seasonal. Harvest time brings the greatest 
demands on the roads for cars. Lumber and minerals may be stored 
in the open. Manufactures requiring protection from the weather 
are provided, for the most part, with ample storage facilities. Grain 
must move when harvested because of lack at points of production of 
storage facilities that will protect it against the risks of weather. 
Aside from the question of storage, most fruits and many vegetables 
must move as soon as harvested because of their perishable nature. 
Lack of cars may mean to the farmer a total loss of his year's labor. 
To other classes it means inconvenience, delay in sales, and possibly 
a partial loss, but not a total loss. To the farmers of the country, 
then, the entire question should appeal strongly. They should be 
prepared to consider all phases of it. Their influence should be felt 
in securing regulations wisely planned and conducive to the best 
interests of commerce as a whole* Exacting from the railroads long 
periods of so-called "free time" for the loading and unloading of 
cars is a temporary expedient at best. In reality there is no such 
