Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-24
The State Market Bureau.

recent session of the Legislature the establish
ment of a State Market Bureau. For many months
the agricultural department has maintained the
service of such bureau far possible
without appropriation for that purpose. Now
that the work is duly recognized under the law
and is provided with fund which, though hardly
half loaf is better than none, substantial and
far-reachng benefits may be expected.
The primary purpose of this institution is, of
course to aid farmers in securing a ready and
profitable outlet for all the foodstuffs they
raise That is the surest way to stimulate and
sustain interest in food production 1t is also an
important step in conserving the food output, be-
cause inadequate and inefficient methods in the
marketing of crops a source of prodigious
waste. Furthermore, by encouraging the produc-
ton larger quantities and varieties Of food
essaries and making them more easily available to
the mass of consumers, the Market Bureau will be
of great service to town and city people at time
when the cost of living is sorely burdensome.
Georgias development and prosperity depend
largely on diversified opposed to a one-crop sys
tenn of agriculture. The State will grow strong
and rich and free to the extent to which 1t draws
food from it's broad instead of looking to
outside and faraway sources of supply. But this
policy, Notwithstanding it's obvious wisdom cannot
win full and permanent sway until farmers
sured of reasonably profitable sales for the food
nigh impossible to produce more food staples than
are needed. 1t is doubtful indeed that farmers
can produce as much is needed, no matter how
earnestly they try how we'll their abors prosper.
Three years of have reduced the worlds food
reserves to a beggarly minimum, and America it
self, though altogether free from the destructive
and exhausting effects of the war, began the
rent year with unprecedented shortage of grain.
Clearly, then, there is a demand for every of
foodstufs that be brought forth But of
what profit will this extraordinary, worldwide de-
mand be to the food-grower, or of what profit will
the food-growers efforts be to the world, If he is
unable to market his products?
1t is in this connection that the establishment
of a State Market Bureau in Georgia will prove
timely service. An exceptionally large acreage
of food crops planted this year and the aggre-
gate will be extraordinary. 1t is essential, there
fore, that Statewide and thoroughgoing system
of enabling growers to get in touch with RESPONSE
BILE buyers be put into operation. That there is
home demand for all the grain, meat potatoes,
dairy products and other food staples which
farmers likely to produce for years to come is
indicated by the fact that Georgia has been spend
ing in the neighborhood of hundred and fifty
million dollars a year in buying those commodities
from distant regions. The task for the Market
Bureau and kindred agencies is to develop conven-
lent and dependable relations between the farmers
who have raised food products and the merchants
or consumers who heretofore have been importing
those products from other States.
That is no easy undertaking, because until
rather recent years cotton Georgia's principal
if not exclusive money crop, and on that fact
based her entire system of warehousing, marketing
and farm credits. One of the major reasons why
the one-crop regime has proved difficult to dis
place has been the fact that facilities for market
ing cotton and converting 1t into cash have been
ever ready and abundant. farmer could bring a
load of the staple to town, put it in ware
house and with the warehouse receipt obtain money
or credit without further ado. But not until re-
Gently have there been such facilities for disposng
of food crops and to that lack very largely was due
the slow progress of crop diversifcation. The
average farmer must limit himself to farming; he
cannot be a producer, broker, a merchant, and
distributor all in one He must be assured of reg
ular and dependable means of marketing foodstuffs
IL he is expected to raise them extensively.
Approaching this fact and realizing the basic
Importance of encouraging increased production of
food necessaries every agency devoted to Georgias
material upbuilding has interested itself in pro-
viding home markets for home products and also
in introducing Georgia products to the markets Of
other sections. The State Chamber of Commerce
was a vigorous pioneer in this field of enterprise,
and many town and county organizations have done
fruitful work to that end. The telephone compa-
MES express companies and railroad companies
also have given valuable assistance.
1t has been evident from the outset, however,
that this important line of service could not be
adequately developed until it brought under
the patronage and supervision of the State. Ac
cordingly all interests to the cause have worked
with that object in view. The Agricultural Depart
ment made a good beginning when it tentatively
established a Market Bureau early in the year and
NJ d
In divers ways the Bureau has proved its ability to
serve the State, notably in inducing the War De-
partment to adopt sweet potatoes (of which Geor-
gia will produce millions of bushels this year,
a part of the United States army ration. Now that
the Bureau is established under the law and pro-
vided with a definite fund it may be expected to
become increasingly useful.