Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-05-17
AID THE
FOOD BUYERS
Keep the People in Touch
With Markets.
PREVENT WASTE
Report on Crop Conditions and
Movements To Be Sent
Out.

sioh'Oh, May 1o'-4Not OnIy Is the
machinery of the State government in
operation for the production of the
greatest possible amount of foodstuffs,
but new departure is to be taken for
the application of best means for eco
nomic buying on the part of the peo-
ple The Department of Agriculture
is putting into effect plans intended to.
aid the housewife in the best ard most
advantageous purchase of fruit and
vegetables for immediate use or for
canning and preserving. This is to
be accomplished by the promulgation
of a systematic and comprehensive
market news service under the direc-
ton of Alexis l.. Clark, agent of the
department in charge of the division
Of crops. food and markets. A CORPS
of volunteer crop reporters will cover
all sections of the State, by which it
IS designed to keep buyers and con
sumers accurately informed as to
growing, ripening and harvesting con-
ditions.
l cooperation with the extension
division of the agricultural expert
ment station, the department plans to
issue frequent circulars on home can
ming and drying, economical prepara-
ton of foods, practical hints On buy
ing and other topics of timely inter-
est. AS viewed by the department
there is danger of much food being
wasted during the period of hot
weather and it is suggested that par
tcular attention be paid to home can
nlng and drying. Practical directions
on the easiest and safest methods can
be secured in bulletin form without
cost by application to the State De-
partment of Agriculture, Trenton.
In a preliminary bulletin announc-
ing its plans for the market news ser
vice, Mr.. Clark said: THE housewives
OF New Jersey are realizing their re-
sponsibility in the fact of tne impend-
ing shortage of food. The department
desires to emphasize the Importance
of household economy in connection
with the Statewide campaign Of vege-
table gardening and increased food
production. 1t feels that the average
housewife of today does not have the
advantage that women of so years ago
had in their intimate knowledge of
food crops and their variety and sea-
sonable characteristics. 1t is a fact
that whereas few years ago varie- |
ties and kinds were popular among
the growers because of their high ta-
Bile qualities. nowadays the appear
ance alone seems to be the important |
characteristic. Some of our finest |
food products have almost been for
gotten and many less nourishing and |
more costly kinds substituted. The |
recent leaflet on corn as human food |
by the department has met with a |
ready response, and the department |
is prepared to bring to the attention |
OF housewives frequent suggestions |
and practical helps.
THE department has made a spe-
cial study of wholesale and retail
public markets in this and other States
and has rendered assistance to some
municipalities in organizing markets.
1t desires especially at this time to
call the attention of municipal author
ltles to their responsibilities in dis
trlbution and to the advantages of in
formal outdoor retail farmers mar
kets. The department is familiar with
the very serious difficulties always
met with in starting and maintaining
such markets, but it is convinced that
IN such a time as this, by cooperative
efforts on the part of city authorities.
the housewives and neighboring
small farmers, successful markets
can be established in many places.
There is a large total acreage be-
ing planted of the summer vegetables
and asmost of these are of highly