April, ’24] 
SAFRO: PRICE OF INSECTICIDES 
245 
manufacturers are endeavoring to obtain unreasonable profits in the 
sale of their products. 
The economic entomologist must be constructive and these remarks 
should include economic suggestions in answer to the universal inquiry 
‘‘How can we get cheaper insecticides?” In partial reply the following 
are suggested: 
1 . Avoid the too frequent tendency to give the fewest methods of 
control. Give all the methods where feasible, explaining the limitations 
of each, so that the grower may choose for himself what, under his 
conditions, he considers most economical. This suggestion is intended 
also to give a grower other alternatives when he cannot, for one reason 
or another—sometimes very trivial, yet cogent—follow the best method 
of control. A method of partial control, if profitable, is more desirable 
than no control. 
Include methods of farm manufacture but not to the exclusion of the 
factory made chemicals. As between farm manufacture and the factory 
made article on the one hand and the choice of a number of methods of 
control on the other, a status of competition may be fostered, and this 
is the powerful economic regulator of prices. 
2 . Promote group purchasing where practical. This does not nec¬ 
essarily imply displacing the local dealer by formation of growers’ 
purchasing organizations. The local dealer may be in better condition 
to supply requirements than an organization that may be lacking in 
merchandising experience. The advantage in purchasing large quan¬ 
tities applies to purchases from the local dealer as well as purchases 
that 'would contemplate supplies direct from the manufacturer. 
3. Promote the taking of cash discounts and building up of good 
credit standing. Where the grower has not the available funds himself, 
arrangements can often be made through the agency of a bank on a 
basis where both the bank and the grower receive benefits of the dis¬ 
count. 
4. Promote early and off-season purchases. An order can frequently 
just as well be placed six months ahead of time for delivery at the growers’ 
convenience as the present uneconomic method of waiting almost to the 
last minute before ordering—and paying sometimes dearly for that 
privilege. 
Vice-President Fracker assumed the chair. 
Vice-President S. B. Fracker: The next paper is to be read by 
Mr. S. C. Chandler. 
