The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-11
SEND Market BASKET
DIRECTLY TO FARMER
Postmaster Thornton Explains De-
partment's Plan to Elimi-
nate Middle Man.
CUT HIGH COST OF LIVING
Parcel Post Service Ready to Fur
nish Fresh Eggs to City People
] and Act as Market for Country
!; People.

2 Printed lists Of farmers who have
produce to sell. together with the
names of local persons who desire to
deal directly with them. will be ready
for distribution at the local post-office
the latter part of the week. Postmas-
ter Hay Il. Thornton has forwarded
the names TO Washington, where the
printing will be done by the govern
ment.
6, These lists will be for free distEibu
3tion.- and are part of the scheme for
the expansion of the parcel post by
tho new 'farm-to-table" policy recently
given n tryout In ten large cities. and
now extended to several others, includ-
each farmer Will be summary of the
goods he has for sale. while the city
people will be listed in accordance
with what they wish to buy.
I Practically ALT OF the names were
secured during the past week at the
parcel post booth I'm Industrial Hall
ION the State Fair Grounds. Hundreds
of persons stopped to see the exhibit,
and to receive instruction In the use
of the great system. While many
names were received. the large crowds
always on hand prevented hundreds
of others from being registered.
THORNTON
x Is HIGHLY PLEASED
81 Postmaster Thornton yesterday ex-
pressed himself as more than satisfied
with the results obtained by the ex-
hibit at the fair.
81 we. of course. expected to do much
educational work among. the visitors.
but did not think for a minute that
the exhibit would attract the attention
that II did. We were literally swampcd
with people asking for information and
We were particularly successful in get
ting many to register"
The exhibit was an attractive one,
and contained samples of scores of
articles used on, the farm or by the
farmer. All were fixed ready for ship
ment, and the wide variety was a re-
violation to the majority OF the people
who viewed 1t. In addition to the
samples OF goods. a practical demon
stration In packing goods and exhibits
of containers were also given. The
booth was In charge OF men detailed
from the parcel post department of
the local Office
The farm to-table" scheme will be
given thorough tryout here. and 1t
cess. particularly as thousands OF per-
sons throughout the State have been
given practical demonstration Of
what the parcel post system liz.
SEND MARKET BASKET
DIRECTLY TO FARM
81 Under the new plan. the housewife
Will be able to send her market basket
70 the farmer, with whom she deals.
and he Will pack II and return 1t By the
next mall. There will be special de-
livery of this produce, and city folks
Will have their fruits and vegetables,
b tier and eggs fresh from the farm.
The farmcrSin return can In the same
manner get his wares from the city
quickly and at little cost.
4 Richmond people have been constant
users OF the parcel post since its es-
ia blishmen,. and mahy now get their
butter and eggs from the country
The business OF this district has grown
so rapidly that Richmond has been
designated parcel post terminal,
and large shipments for the South are
now sent here in bulk and sorted out
and distributed TO points of destina-
ton.
One OF the dificui,ies in the way of
the trouble in packing. but this is be-
Ing eliminated. Exhibits. such as that
at the fair last week. are being held
throughout the country, and farmers
and others are being shown the proper
containers for their products. Egg
containers and cartons. which can be
procured ct small cost have been
demonstrated. and the people are be-
ing taught which ones to use.
Perhaps the most useful article on
exhibit here last week was tin pail
invented by member OF the local
post office force. 1t has a top which
screws inside. and is sealed perfectly
II can be used in shipments of
oysters. butter or any other article
liable to leak