MARKETING HAY AT COUNTRY POINTS. 17 
carries tag weights, the. producer will naturally insist that the hay 
be delivered to the siding and that the shipper accept the tag weights. 
If the shipper has reason to believe that the tag weights are in- 
correct, either because they were incorrectly marked when the hay 
was baled or because there has been shrinkage since the hay w'as 
baled, he will want the hay delivered where it can be weighed on 
wagon scales. It often works out when the producer, whose tag 
weights are suspected of being incorrect, insists on delivering to a 
point where wagon scales are not accessible that the shipper will 
make a rough estimate of the amount the tag weights are off and 
lower his price per ton accordingly. 
Responsibility for damage before hay is delivered. — The problem 
of ownership of hay that is damaged by water or destroyed by fire 
after hay has been sold but is still on the producer's premises is a 
vexing one. It is more than this, for it almost invariably causes bit- 
ter controversies and often lawsuits before the matter is finally 
settled. In some States at least the law bearing on the point in 
question is not clear, as is evidenced by the frequency of suits, espe- 
cially when hay is damaged by fire. 
Verbal contracts do not amount to much when water or fire dam- 
ages hay after the sale has been made. A written contract is the 
only kind that should be regarded as binding when hay becomes 
damaged. 
CONTRACTS, 
It is good business practice to use a written contract, especialty if 
it is fair to both parties. There are many types of contracts drawn 
up by shippers that vary only in minor points. The following con- 
tract, used by a large shipper in New York State, will serve to show 
the general trend of shippers' contracts. 
Original to be Billed to John Smith. 
, N. Y. , 19—. 
Mr. , P. O. address , sells and John Smith, of , 
N. Y., buys the commodity , described as follows . 
Customary Conditions Covering This Contract. 
Delivered to the buyer's warehouse or into cars at -, N. Y. 
Seller agrees all hay to be of the same quality throughout, as shown on out- 
side of mows. It is mutually understood and agreed upon that if moldy, 
stained, or off-colored hay or hay of inferior quality to that shown on the out- 
side is found in tbe mows, balers may stop pressing or bale the same for the 
seller. When hay is not delivered from press to the cars or buyer's warehouse, 
it is to be stored by the seller in such a manner that it can not become dam- 
aged, and is to be delivered on board the cars or at the buyer's warehouse at the 
direction of the buyer. 
