The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-12
DISTRIBUTION OF
PRODUCTSOF FARM
Uncle sam Takes a Hand-Ef-
forts to Eliminate Man
+ .se in Middle.
COOPERATIVE MARKETING
Agricultural Department OF Gov
eminent Making investigation
of Matter of Food Selling.
BY w. j. LAUCk.

BY special direction of Congress. tn.
Department of Agriculture has pre-
pared valuable report upon systems,
Of marketing farm products. Present
methods are described and recommen-
dations for changes in behalf Of tn.
consumer and the farmer are made
One of the most important proposals
sets forth the advanta ses which would
result from the establishment OF a di
vision of markets in the Agricultural
Depa rtmept
The report has much to say concern
ing cooperative marketing by farm
ers. and the economic advantages are
thus stated in detail. a survey Of
the systems or marketing farm pro-
ducts clearly discovers what the farm
ers can best 90 to their advantage
They must associate themselves to-
sether for the purpose OF ass milling
their individual contributions OF pro-
ducts. OF shipping IN carload lots. 81
obtaining market news at places to
which II is practical to send their pro
ducts 20 sell in y considerable numbcr
Of markets. H not in many markets
and to secure the various other ccOuO-
mic gains Of cooperative selling
Detailed trestmcn; Is also given 70
the farm To- consumer through a great
variety Of channels. Tn simplest dis
,rIbu;ion j. the direct one OF delivery
BY farmer to consumer and next after
this Is the delivery b. individual
farmers or associations Of farmers TO
individual consumers or associations
OF consumers II :hese d're,t TO uis
OF distribution. the middlenlan IS elm
mated although Of course. iutcrmeii-
ate services arc performed either nv
producer, ~ by consumers or by both
parties
intervention OF utddicmcn.
Among tho varieties Of MIDDLE men
concerned in the marketing Of farm
products arc the travelling hucksters
who 90 from farm to farm gathcrirs
eggs butter. poultry. calves and other
commodities. which they sell - ship
cers tobher.. or retsv dealers. The
country merchant is often the first re-
ceiver OF such products as Gags. farm
nlade butter poultry. wool hidcs. cot
ton and sometimes grain ana haS- Tn
regions where grain e the staple pro
duct. tho tendency has been TO dis
place the country merchant by tho
grain buyer and tn local elevator
man
Farmers commonly sell through
commission merchants and o. some "a
tent dirccti, 20 vhoiessic dealers and
also &, retail dealers. Tho farmrf
VINO employs trust~ orths commits
sion merchant who viii handir nis
products honestly and honor@hly III
get tho current prices for Them Win
in tho range OF the commission meI
chants business hut considerable
number Of farmers claim thar thct
often ma themselves n the fands ~
. commission merchant who blsely -
ports that the products ~Nrc received
In damaged condition or that thef were
Of grade lower than thef Were m
raef or n. reports receiving prices
lower than those actually -0ce.Ncd ~
MIN for the products.
samples 81 transactions in Nnicn
only one fniddismau intcrF nes. Nc-
tween producer and consumrr lncieae
she commission man az large market
~ho receives ccnsigunscnts Or I've
stock from farmers and sells 70 pack
.rs. n. factor 60 whom the planter
Confines on sixth Pssel