Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-05-18
A DIVISION OF MAR
KETS FOR WEST
VIRGINIA.
Commissioner of Agriculture VII
Iians Develops New Mar
keting Scheme.

icle)
Commissioner Of Agriculture, How
ard &. Williams. has reason to feel
gratifed over the success attending his
efforts in creating division of mar
kets in connection with the Depart
ment of Agriculture West Virginia
is one Of the first states in the Union
to take up this important work and
the widespread attention it is attrac-
ting is attested by the fact that such
great agricultural states as Kansas,
wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
others are asking for information as
to the methods used by this division Of
the Department. The division has
been in operation less than year and
has, so far, been giving more atten-
ton to the fruit industry than to any
other phase of agricultural work. But
the activities of the division are being
gradually extended to other products
with a view to keeping producers,
dealers and consumers fully advised as
to market prices and conditions.
Among the things already accomplish
ed is the publication and distribution
of lists of all commercial fruit grow
ers in the state and, also, list Of deal
ers and shippers of chestnuts. The
value of the chestnut crop is consider
ably more than the average citizen
would think, and if proper markets
are found, many thousands of dollars
can BIZ added to the incomes Of owners
of chestnut groves. These lists have
been given wide circulation and in this
manner producers and dealers have
been put in touch with each other.
The division has also been active
in securing very decided reductions in
freight rates on peaches to southern
territory, thus aiding our growers to
reach markets which have heretofore
been beyond reach owing to high
freight rates. In 1914 only about
thirty cars were shipped to southern
points, while in 1915, one hundred and
thirty-eight cars were shipped south
The publicity given the peach and APP
pie crops during the season of 1915 re-
suited In many favorable sales, and
was of particular value in aiding the
movement Of peaches to western mar
kets, there being nearly five hundred
cars shipped to western points in 1915
as against slightly over one hundred
in 1914.
The division has found that other
producing sections, in particular New
York and Ohio, have, as rule, much
more favorable freight rates to the
leading markets of the country than
our own growers This matter is now
being investigated by the division and
applications will be filed and vigor-
ously prosecuted looking to reduc-
tion in these rates. This will put our
growers on a competitive basis with
the sections named.
In Randolph County the farmers are
endeavoring to build up potato in
dustry, and the County Agent has ask
ed the division of markets to assist in
finding markets for their products AS
the matter of rates is of prime i'm
portance, this phase of the work was
first considered, and it was found that
car of potatoes could be shipped from
producing sections in the State of
Michigan to Clarksburg cheaper than
from Elkins to the same destination
This discrimination was promptly
brought to the attention of the rail
roads concerned, and by the time the
crop is ready to move suitable rates
will be in effect, not only to the var
ious markets in West Virginia, but to
southern markets. where it is hoped a
great many of these potatoes will be
used
The division has also made an or
chard census of the state SO that there
is now on file in the Department. Of
Agriculture, practically complete in
formation as to the acreage, number,
age and variety of all the apple and
peach trees in the commercial or
chards of the state. A survey is also
being undertaken to ascertain from
johbers, wholesalers and dealers the
amount Of farm products brought into
West Virginia from the outside, this
with view to having these markets
supplied with our own products. 1t has
already been determined that millions
of dollars worth of products are ship
ped into the state each year, and that
shipments are made to points outside
the state that logically should be mar
keted at home. 1t is expected that the
dissemination Of the information pro.
vided by this survey will bring our
own producers and our own dealers to-
gether, thus keeping the large sums
heretofore spent for outside products
at home.
The division also encourages the for
nation of cooperative selling associa-
lions, the standardization of grades
and packages, and endeavors in every