26 BULLETIN 267, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
important factor in that he furnishes to shippers the services of a 
skilled specialist in salesmanship. 
13. The jobber acts as a secondary distributor, buying from car- 
lot receivers and selling largely to the retail trade. His chief use- 
fulness lies in facilitating rapid distribution of highly perishable 
products and in preventing a congestion of business on large whole- 
sale markets. 
11. Public markets are not important in distributing fruits and 
vegetables arriving at market in car lots, but do offer direct outlets 
for neighboring producers. 
15. Perishables arriving at market usually take certain definite 
channels in passing on to the consuming public. There are several 
important factors which decide just what course the contents of 
any given car will take in going into consumption. 
16. Losses and wastes are a very heavy tax on food distribution. 
The prevention of much needless waste would reduce present mar- 
keting costs very materially. 
17. One of the most practical steps the shipper can take to better 
his condition is to familiarize himself with business practices and 
to secure a better knowledge of the way his produce is handled on 
the market. 
GLOSSARY OF TRADE TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS AS USED IN THIS 
BULLETIN. 
Account sales. The statement which a commission merchant renders to a ship- 
per showing what disposition has been made of the shipper's goods. 
Allowance. The reduction in price which a shipper makes to a buyer in order 
to induce the buyer to accept a car that he (the buyer) has rejected. 
Auctions. Organizations (usually incorporated as stock companies) which 
sell fruits at public sale to the highest bidder, charging a definite fee for 
this service. 
Auction catalogues. Sheets in which the auction offerings for the day are 
listed. 
Auction lines. The units into which auction offerings are divided before being 
exposed for sale. Each line is composed of packages of one commodity of 
the same size, grade, and type. 
Auction realizer. A statement which shows the prices at which goods were 
sold by the auction. 
Auction terminal charge. A package charge levied on the buyers by some 
auctions. Supposed to cover the expenses of opening sample lines for inspec- 
tion and general expenses of the auction company. 
Bill of lading. A written statement issued by a carrier acknowledging the 
receipt of goods for transportation. A " straight " bill of lading simply 
authorizes the carrier to deliver the goods to the consignee at destination. 
An " order notify " or " shipper's order " bill of lading requires that an order 
be issued by the shipper before delivery of the shipment can be made. 
Brokers. Agents who negotiate the purchase or sale of goods. They have no 
financial interest in the goods they handle and their compensation is a 
definite fee. 
