The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-02-23

and specific data will be given as to
the supply, normal demand, and prices
of the several kinds of farm produce
in these trade %centers.
1t is provided in the amendment to
the agricultural appropriation bill es-
tablishing the division of markets, that
the bureau of statistics is to collect
for the division of markets all Kinds
of data that will enable farmers, far
mers' organizations n societies of
consumers to adopt plans of marketing
that will facilitate the handling of
farm products at a minimum cost. If
the Information is desired by tele-
graph or telephone it nay be had by
depositing the cost of the messages
with the chief of the division of mar
kets.
While it is expected that the divi-
sion of markets will, in the course of
years., find many opportunities of
bringing the producer and the con-
sumner into closer touch with one an
other, at the same time the depart
ment of agriculture realizes that there
are many limitations to the services
that may be performed. Secretary
Wilson remarked that if the depart
ment were to undertake any feature
of the marketing of farm produce, to
find consumer or market, to investi-
gate market conditions and prices
every day, and to report the results to
all farmers desiring the service, the
o s would be prohibitive. To keep in
ta1ppr9nhip tp,1oh with oil Tho Trade
centers and there to maintain repre-
s%entatives, would cost an enormous
amount. Attention is called to the fact
that n farmers cooperative asso-
citation on the eastern shore of Vir-
ginia, covering only two counties. of
ordinary size, spends $25, 600 a year for
t~elegraphing alone, and that the Cali
fornia citrus fruit growers spend $751;
600 a year on kilograms in connection
with the marketing of their oranges
and lemons.
The danger that would always con-
front the division of markets under
such conditions would be that the mo-
ment a lot of farmers got word tina
eggs We're selling at a very high rate
in a given city, they would rush their
NooS sAASAt KIN " Sui VI lIAC lIol hSl
would follow that would make the last
condition worse than the first. The
farmer who had acted on this informa-
ton, only to find that before his eggs
got there the bottom had dropped out.
would probably for ever after "cuss
out the division of markets.
But there are healthful activities
that may be followed without the dam
ger of such unfavorable reactions.
One of these is the encouraging of
farmers to band themselves together
into mutual marketing organizations
which can ship in carload lots, getting
appropriate market news, and taking
advantage of any opening that may
arise. Another is the gathering of
information as to crop yields and mar
ket indications hat would enable the
farmer to know whether It would be
wise to sell early or to wait for bet
ter prices. Still another activity of
the division would be to teach farmers
the art of grading and packing their
products so that they may a the
most Of them.
The division probably will under
take to study transportation facilities
n to max them conform to the
needs of the farmer; to study storage
conditions and rates. and the gains or
losses that are usual from marketing
a crop as soon as gathered or from
holding it for later sale. Another, and
a most Illuminating line of investiga-
ton, will be that Of tracing the cost
of the distribution of all farm prod
ucts from the producer to the con-
sumner, and an ascertainment of how
much every step adds to the ultimate
cost. When the division gets down
to work commission merchants will
probably ia to toe the mark. 1t is
Well known that many a farmer is
cheated out of practically everything a
consignment is worth by a dishonest
commission merchant. Lists of relia-
bic ones probably will be published.
and the farmers warned to steer clear
of the ones whose names are not on
these lists. A list of market associa-
tions and consumers associations also
will be maintained and studies of for
eign markets will be made.
Practically all of these activities
have in mind the reduction of market
ing costs at the farmers end of the
chain OF distribution. They will, if
they succeed, serve only to add to the