Evening star., 1916-04-30

newest Of this departments principal
divisions 1t was created because OF
the realization of the fact that 1T is
useless to tell the farmer how to raise
made profitable to him. Thus, the
first adequate attack has been made
upon the problems of marketing and
the distribution of farm produce.
The information distributed by the
market news service is made availa-
BILE to dealers daily, and shows the num-
Der of carloads of any one COMMODITY
shipped from each district during the
preceding twenty-four hours; whole-
sale prices prevailing on the markets
each morning and arrivals In each OF
these markets for the preceding twen-
ty-four hours: the condition and quai-
ity of offerings; general market condl-
tions in each of the cities and pre-
vaiiing weather conditions. This in
formation is also valuable to railroads
and other common carriers by enabling
them to make a better distribution
cut down diversions and reduce losses
and spoilage.
Though under the pure food law the
bureau of chemistry of the Department.
of Agriculture performs policing ana
protection service for the genera puo-
lie. the primary function of the bureau
of chemistry is not merely to stop
unlawful manufacture, but to DO every
thing in its power to increase the pro-
duction of satisfactory and healtnIul
foods and reliable drugs Hence TINS
bureau is constantly working IN a con-
structive field which has to do with
the manufacture. preparation ana PACK
ing as well as the handing, shlpplnS
and selling of all food and drug prou-
ucts. Its work and rulings affect every
manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer
of groceries, drugs, wines. liquors.
stock feed or other food products.
X
Grain dealers, bankers and all busi-
ness men who look to the prospect Tor
crops upon general conditions are al
ways deeply concerned in the informa-
ton furnished regularly by the wealth
er bureau and the bureau OF crop estl-
mates These have so long been
feature in business calculations that
one rarely stops to consider the situa-
tion that would arise If the govern
ment were to discontinue these serv-
ices. The scale on which these Two
bureaus operate makes it impossible
for any individual or company to take
their place, and without them the busi-
ness interests of the country would be
badly at a loss for knowledge which
now in large measure controls tnelr
plans. In it's monthly crop report the
bureau of crop estimates supplies the
most accurate information available
in regard to the conditions and pros
poets of the principal crops OF the
country To a great extent the ques-
tion of hard times or good times is de-
termined by crop production. with
this information in their hands, 1t is
far easier for business men to prepare
for either than If they were left TO
guess at what was coming. 1t is, for
example, useless to send large stocks
of goods into a section in which there
is every reason to believe that the
crops will be failure and that there
will be little money even for the ne
cessities On the other hand, large
crops mean a demand for cars which
must be prepared for in advance, brisk
buying of which both wholesaler and
retailer must be ready to take ad-
vantage. improvements in farms-in
short, good business.
The publications Of the Department