The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-08
STUDIES OF MARKETING.
Office Of Markets and Rural Organiza.
ton Reports on Results of Years
Work.

uOn ftck)OrtS On RESULTS OF Years
Work.
The advantages of cooperation In
the marketing of farm products are
emphasized In the annual report of
the Office Of Markets and Rural Or
ganization OF the department, which
has Just been, published. "The conclu-
sion seems warranted says the re-
port, that In communities where CO.
operation Is practically applied to the
farmers business, the results obtain
ed are far more satisfactory than
those secured by individual methods. F"
1t Is estimated that farmers cooper
ative marketing and purchasing or
ganizations will transact this year a
total business amounting to more than
81. .400,000,000. Agricultural coopera-
tion In the United States is, therefore,
far more prevalent than is generally
believed, but 1t Is not yet upon q suffi-
ciently strong business basis For
this reason the Office of Markets has
studied the various methods employ
ed by these associations and has work
ed to devise means by which these
methods can be perfected. The studies
also have included the prevailing
methods Of marketing perishable pro-
ducts-cotton. grain. cotton seed,
live stock. and animal products.
Studies have also been made of city
markets in order to secure in this way
information which may open up out
lets for farm products. In this con-
nection the report calls attention to
the experimental work in distributing
timely marketing information con-
cerning perishable products. An ef-
sortI has been made to keep producers
informed Of arrivals and conditions in
the large markets and, on the other
hand. to keep dealers informed Of
shipments from the important pro-
ducing sections. Strawberries, peaches,
tomatoes, and cantaloupes were the
crops covered In this way during the
past season. There is evidence, says
the report, that as result of this SER
vice, distribution has been improved,
glutted markets have been prevented
to some extent, total shipments from
several districts have been greater
than they would have been otherwise,
and that large bodies Of growers have
received accurate and disiEterested in
formation concerning prevailing con-
ditions In competing producing areas
and In distant markets. Several i'm
portant newspapers have cooperated
In this work by publishing these re-
ports. ana there is reason to believe
that others also will publish thom
when the service Is extended 10 cover
products that are OK particular interest
to their readers.
The work Of encouraging the prop
er preparation OF products for market
has been continued. The ultimate aim
OF this campaign of education Is the
national Standardization Of market
Grades and also packages or contain
ers. ,sg.a sr m ,f
Investigation into the problems of
transportation and storage has been
continued with a view to determining
the causes Of the great loss Of food
stuffs between the producer and the
consumer. Experimental shipments by
parcel post and express were made
during the year with many kinds Of
fruits and berries, lettuce, milk, but
ter. eggs. syrup. and vegetables. In
nearly every case 1t was found that
tho success Of the shipment depended
upon the judgment useGstn selecting
the quality Of the product and tho
type of container.
In addition to it's work of investiga-
tion and study of marketing condi-
tions In general the Office of Markets
and Rural Organization has charge of
the administration Of the cotton-fu-
tures act. In accordance with the
terms Of this act 13 cities have been
designated as bona fide spot markets
for cotton. The provision for the de-
termination Of disputes between per-
sons making and receiving tenders of
cotton under section of the act be-
came operative on February 1S. Be-
tween that time and the expiration of