The Ocala evening star., 1915-04-16
THE FLORIDA
MARKETING BUREAU

Men who have had much to do with
both county and state questions IN the
past, and who have been in Florida
many years, interested in her agricul-
tural development, large producers of
both staple and vegetable crops, hav-
ing had all the experiences of grow
ing and marketing, and with condi-
tions growing worse and worse each
year, realized something must be done
to bring about a change. A thorough
canvass of the situation among them
selves, then calling fifty or more Of
the strongest farmers and growers in
Marion county together, there was
begun the movement that is now the
Florida Marketing Bureau. A number
of meetings were held and the ques-
ton discussed from every angle. At
ter the meeting in Jacksonville, which
gave it a statewide movement, the
secretary of the Marion County Board
of Trade was sent to Washington, on
important matters, and while there
placed the matter before the secre-
tary of agriculture and the heads of
the departments dealing In the mar
keting, cooperation and organization
methods 1t met with their approval;
in fact, the present bylaws under
which the bureau is operating were
prepared by Mr.. Bassett of the de-
partment, to whom was also intrusted
the preparation of the charter This
secured the cooperation and aid of the
government to guide and direct sys-
| tenn of marketing and distribution
that would meet their approval-an
organization chartered, not for profit,
but to bring relief to the farmers of
our state.
Next we wanted the cooperation
of our governor and commissioner of
agriculture. Not for the state to take
up the question of actual barter and
sale of the products of its people, but
in harmony with the policies of the
nation, and cooperating Herewith to
make and shape ways and means of
disseminating information, affording
protection and safeguarding the very
life of our state, for its absolute
safety, stability and success is based
on agriculture.
Then this movement is to bring to
the sons of toll a just reward for
their labor, with state aid and protec-
ton Almost any article of food
value bears the stamp of approval of
this government of ours. Then let us
have a system of marketing in our
great state that will give our people
fair and just value for what they
grow.
| We must have honest inspection,
proper packing, standard packages
and system of gathering in the
exact conditions of our crops, in har-
mony with what is being grown in
other states so that there need be no
over-production of any one commod-
ity. This is necessary for those
growing vegetables, the perishable
commodities, should there be an over
supply placed in cold storage. Then
Florida would not grow bumper
crop of cabbage to finally be thrown
J away, but through a careful and well
: planned department of marketing in
touch with these conditions our peo-
. pie could be warned and the crop
saved.
The same applies to all other com
: modities. A system of market re-
ports and information can be devised
} that when thoroughly put in opera
ton will be the greatest factor to aiC
] our producers.
Then combine with this the system
< of the Florida Marketing Bureau, ar
: agency to place the product of the
) grower directly in the hands of the
5 consumer, eliminating this heretofore
; great drain on the price paid for anC
: the amount paid the producer. There
are now too many commissions; toe
little for the man who has given hi!
very best to grow the crop. 1t car
be done; it will be done. 1t is being
/ done now by the Florida Marketing
7 Bureau.
Today, one of the greatest losse!
:. sustained by the transportation line!
is that of so many cars of perishabl'
Y stuff from Florida being dumped
: and many more sold for less thar
2 freight charges. Yet the cars hav,
: been supplied, fuel consumed, train
i crews paid and service performed
and the transportation lines holding
e the bag with no freight charges col
! lected.
: Then is there not a great need O.
: marketing and distributing system
2 Every industry of Florida is vital!
: interested therein. 1t is the saliva
t ton of our producers and the onl!
2 way of solving the great problem o
t future development. Without a prope
marketing system how can we en-
: courage others to come and occup!
: our vast, idle acres. But when W.
4 point to thorough and sensible mar
S keting bureau, that is getting a fai
S return for the farmers produce, tn
8 transportation lines their freigh