The Washington times., 1914-07-22

In connection with parcel post market
ing. the highest authority on the SUD-
iect. Charles ]. Brand. chief OF the Of
flee of markets, Department Of Agri-
culture. has issued a statement with
reference to the farmer, consumer, ana
parcel post. which will be Of vast in
terest to those who are trying In elini-
nate the nrofits Of the middleman.
Brand says in part:
LAS a method OF marketing. the par
eel most will succeed only in such meas
ure as IL accommodates more efficiently
and economically the functions per-
formed by the numerous middle interests
of the present system Its greatest ad-
vantage. naturally will appear, 50 far
as shipments from the farm are con-
cerned in those commodities which are
produced practically In the condition
in which they are finally retailed to the
consumer but even in the case OF such
products there must be well under
stood and businesslike agreement a. to
how fair and REASONABLE prices are to
be arrived at and as to the particular
qualities that are to be delivered at the
stated prices.
Square Deal Essential.
Fundamentally there are only two
reasons to persuade the consumer TO
undertake the additional trouble and
uncertainty of occurring produce by
mail These are economy in cost and
greater freshness OF product. No un-
usual method will ever be popular un-
less II gives results along one or both
Of these lines. Producers must be very
IN h.
Of price Unless they are willing to
share the saving with the consumer
who agrees to receive food products
which he has not had an opportunity
to examine and whose quality and time
Of delivery will always be subject to
degree of uncertainty. there Is lit
tie prospect of the wide extension of
the parcel post system which it de-
serves so far as the farm Is concern
ed.
The difference between the country
price and the city price must be shared
fairly between the producer and the
buyer The latter will not take chances
On things that can not be examined
and which in some cases may not fui-
iii. the particular need; Furthermore,
he will not bear the uncertainty as TO
time of arrival unless there is a gain
10 him in so doing. On the other hand,
much of the consumers particularly
is based on illogical prejudice, So that
they, as we'll az the producers, must
standardize their demands and make
concessions.
Standardization OF products is one of
the essential things TO parcel post mark
citing. Uniformity In quality is almost
as important as high quality. II is
likely that the most satisfactory way
10 make progress along these lines is
through the preparation OF descriptive
specifications for those kinds Of produce
that will be marketed most largely
through parcel post. Only by some such
means can the necessary protection be
afforded the purchaser as 10 quality and
the producer as to price.
Perishable Produce Shipped.
The practicability Of shipping perish.
able produce is not open 10 serious queh-
ton. For many years the investigators
in the Department OF Agriculture con-
corned in the Introduction, breeding. i'm
provement, and general study OF all
kinds OF fruits, vegetables, and other
plants. have utilized the mails in the
shipping OF experimental material In
this way everything from the most DELI
cate fruits to vegetables suitable for all