Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-05
.v|RGIN|A IS PRODUCING
GREATEST CROP OF FOOD
cusScs Issue OF Food
srt&t Conservation.
STORAGE WAREHOUSES; NEEDED
Dumping Of Staple Crops on Market
ut One Time Serves to DeprcSs
Prices-Salcs Should BE Spread
Over Entire Year.


Prices-Salcs Should BE Spread
Over Entire Year.
TIL greatest attention to the proper
methods of distribution Tor farm
products was directed yesterday by b.
c.. Moomaw. Jr., director of the Divi-
sion OF Markets, in a statement in
which ne declared that Virginia is pro-
ducing this year the greatest crop OF
foodstuffs in the history Of the State.
He declares. however, that this ere
aces situation that will require con-
siderable thought and activity on the
part Of the farmer If he is to realize
from his crops the profit that is his
just due and that market conditions
Justify.
AIR. Moomaw's statement is AS fol-
lows:
I'VE believe that the food situation
in the world is SUCH that all staple
food products will bring a price that
will give to farmers a fair profit. but
this will not be the case if the proper
methods OF distribution are not rrac-
ticed, and great part of this distri-
button, at least SO far our state mar
kets are concerned, is in the farmers
hand. To be able to regulate rmis dis
trtbution even to limited extent IL
10 necessary for the farmer to be pre-
pared to store his staple crops on his
own farm.
1.-THE great increase in crops will
make greater production than the
local market will be able to handle
to advantage. certainly at the time OF
harvest or the short time Immediately
after harvest that usually eIapees be-
fore the crops arc marketed. II has
been bad practice on the part of
many farmers to rush their crops on
the market as soon as they are gath
cred, not because he is not aware that
this is bad practice but because he
has no means OF storing the crops him
self. This causes a temporary glut in
which the price goes down whether
the general market conditions the
country over warrant the decrease or
not 1t also creates a situation which
permits food spectators to secure 4
large portion OF the crop at low prices
and to hold them and later distribute
them through the regular channels OF
trade at greatly increased price.
WHOLE CROP THROWN
ON MARKET At ONE TINE:
The staple crops are grown in suf-
hctent quantity to last the entire wear
and when the greater portion OF them
10 thrown on the market in a few
months as is frequently the case. it is
only natural that the result will he
depressed market.
"On the other hand, IL the farmers
would arrange proper storage facili-
ties on their own farms it would en-
able them to supply the normal de-
mand over much longer period an,
then regulate the distribution along
more normal lines. 1t also frequently
happens In Virginia when the crops
are marketed in the fall and shipped
away that in the winter and spring
there is n shortage in these very pro-
ducts which then have to be shippoI
back in at a tremendously increased
price. This practice not only results
in loss to the farmer but TO the
community as we'll
The most important point, however.
\ 10 the protection proper storage ar
arrangements will give to the farmer
F1mseif When he has no proper means
OF storing and holding his crop he Is
absolutely at the mercy of the buyer.
II ne mas no means OF storage lie must
sell and sell at a time when the mar
ket is generally al its loves, point
The situation this year because of the
large increase in prod action, promises
10 be more serious than heretofore The
next demand will not be materially
greater. and If great quantities OF food
products are thrown on the local mar
hets AZ one time, there may result a
totai demoraliZa of those markets
temporarily with comparatively low
prices, until the Elut could be relieved
oy the shipment to other points This
generalization would probably only be
local and temporary, so that VIXEN such
community would begin TO ship such
commodities back in, i. is liable to
nave to pay war prices for them.
PROPER STORAGE ARRANGEMENTS
FOR STAPLES ARE NEEDED
The only proper protection both to
the FARMER and the community is prop
er storage arrangements. 1t Is con-
ceivable, of course. that these womb
not have to be used some seasons 81
all as there may be conditions Under
which II will be TO the farmers. advan
tage to sell at harvesting time, but
such conditions arc the execution
rather than the rule. and the only
sate proposition TO the farmer is to
be prepared to store
1T would be well. OF couryc to ar
range to store all foodstuffs that will
Keep without material loss The prin
ctpal ones. however, are wheat corn.
oats, beans. sweet potatoes. Irish no
tatoes and other root crops, cabbage
and cured meats. In the main the
expense OF providing proper storage
arrangements will be small MANY
farms will already be equipped with
Eranaries. cellars. smoke houses, that
provide ample room in which the va
rtous crops mentioned above can be
stored. On others there are buildings
already standing that can be converted
into Branaries. meat-houses etc, and
cabbage and potatoes and other roo,
crops can be buried in the ground. Or
many farms, however, II will be neces.
SAry TO build new houses for stora 20
purposes. but even here II will Be yer,
desirable to do SO where there is an,
considerable quantity of food or feec
crops raised, without some mean,
81 OF holding his crops it will be yer,
difficult. II not impossible, for tn,
farmer to secure the proper return TO-
y his seasons labor"