The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-06-17
Commission Men and Farmers.

AS a rule, if farmers have any money
it is obtained by selling surplus prod
ucts of the farm. How shall we dis
pose of this surpluspr is the question
every farmer puts TO his own mind, and
it is question each must answer for
himself. l have had letters of inquiry
relating to this subject addressed TO me
al different times, but l have never felt
absolutely safe in giving advice. Know
ing the. relative home and foreign
prices, cost of transportation, commits
sions, ETC., still could not answer. l
do not know the quality of the products,
or what shape he will put them in be-
fore sending to market. Judging from
the large assortment of produce / have
seen in some of the commission houses
in our great cities, i am convinced that
there are thousands of farmers and
shippers who do not know what is first
class quality, or proper condition in
which produce should be, to secure the
average market price.
l have seen dressed poultry thin in
flesh, overscalded, plentifully sprnkled
with feathers, bruised and torn; pota-
toes with so many rough, small and cut
tubers mixed among them that it would
ludhC q WOudu blItu W LUX AT
them; butter so strong, soft, variegated
in color and rank in flavor that any
healthy stomach would rebel at its near
approach; maple syrup in dirty kegs
and barrels; honey dripping from
honey cases made of dirty-looking shin
giles, the cover fastened on with pieces
of old harness straps, the wax not
cleaned from the sections, and nothing
about ba to 90 - H.
GUS buyer.
And yet if this stuff does not bring
the highest market quotations the men
who have shipped it Immediately pro-
nounce the commission men who have
sold it frauds and decide that all COM
mission merchants are thieves. The only
thing surprising to your correspondent
is that they are ever able to make any
returns to the shipper for this class of
goods.
How shall the great mass of farmers
who never spent any time in these
great marts, educating themselves as to
the demands of trade, dispose of their
produce? The great volume and drift of
ADVICE through the columns of our agri-
cultural press of late has BEEN" sell
direct to the consumer and stop the
practice of supporting great army of
middlemen." This advice sounds very
nice, but happen to know it is not al
ways practical. There are great many
thousands of farmers who are not
within days drive of reliable mar
ket, who are within easy reach of rail-
way stations, and are compelled to ship
TO distant points by rail.
Though residing within three miles
of lively little town and within a sim
gle days drive of three iron manufac-
turing cities, quite frequently find it
to my interest to consign products to
commission men. Of course there is
here and there fraud engaged in this
business, as in every other department
of trade. Twenty years ago l bought
quite an item of experience from one
John Andrews, who was then located
upon Merwin street, Cleveland, but
during the past ten or fifteen years
what / have sent to commission men
has brought the top price Cor above),
80 that If they have stolen anything
from me l did not know it, and could |
only feel satisfied as to results.
How shall we be able to distinguish |
between the frauds and those who are
reliable? What guide shall we seek to
direct our steps within the limits of
commercial and financial safety? l |
now sec no reason why we should go |
far astray. AS rule, our agricultural |
papers do not admit the advertisements |
Of this class of dealers without good |
references, and as further cautionary |
proceeding it is well enough to write to
some bank in the city where they are To-
Gated and ascertain their commercial |
standing. Twenty-Five cents enclosed |
will usually insure an answer to such |
inquiry, and if they do not give you the
information sought, you are likely to
get your money back and take the hint
their silence implies. In an experience
of twenty years with commission men,
l have found them as straight, honest
and honorable as any other class of
men.
If we are shipping potatoes or
onions we had better keep the small |
ones at home if we expect the top quo
tations of the market. First-class stock |
in every respect will bring the best |
price. If we are shipping wool, don't |
imagine that tag-locks, burs and wool |
Irvine are sought after by buyers. If
sending sheep to market, bear in mind |
that old, dry ewes are not fat wethers
nor shearings, and do not expect the
highest quotations you can find.
In the hands of an honorable dealer
your produce will bring to you its
worth at the time it is offered for sale.
Commission men cannot make the
price. Supply and demand, as rule,
fix the value. If you seek the best
price send the best of it's kind and you
are not likely to meet with disappoint-
ments.-Ohio Farmer.