The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-05-19
A DIVISION OF MAR.
KETS FOR WEST
VIRGINIA.
Commissioner of Agriculture WI.
liams Develops New Mar
keting Scheme.
tFrom the Morganlown pos..chron.

gratihed 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-
tion to the fruit industry than to any
other phase OF agricultural work. But
the actiyities 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, a 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 II proper markets
are found. many thousands of dollars
can be 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 ap.
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 eighty over one hundred
In 1914.
Tho division has found that other
producing sections. in particular New
York and Ohio, have, as a 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 a reduc
tion in these rates. This will put our
growers on competitive basis with
the sections named.
In Randolph County the farmers are
endeavoring to build up a 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 1t was found that
a car OF potatoes could be shipped from
producing sections in tho 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, nct only to the var.
ious markets in West Virginia, but to
southern markets. where 1t 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 rs 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
1obbers, 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
| possible way to work to the interest OF
the producer and consumer, especially
as regards marketing and transporta-
uon.
The foregoing serves only to illus.
trate the great importance and useful.
ness Of the work tho division Is under.