The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-01-10


he says, further to broaden the
areas for the production of staple
crops as far as experience and sound
economics may warrant" He cites
a number of instances showing what
has been done in this direction and
emphasizes the Importance to pro-
duction of controlling plant diseases
and insect pests and quarantine
measures to prevent their entry or
spread.
The campaign against citrus can
ker, he says, is progressing very sat-
isfactorily. Although thorough in
spection of citrus paintings will be
necessary, at least throughout the
coming year, it is believed that Flori-
da is now so nearly fire of the dis
ease as to render it's eradiction from
that state practically certain. In
Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mis-
sissippi the work has been more d.
fficult, but even in these states the
disease will be effectively checked if
no unusual drawbacks are encounter
ed.
The report sets forth wha has
been accomplished by the Office of
Markets and Rural Organization in
bringing about more effective distri-
button of farm products and in a.
voiding unnecessary wastes. The
value to the producer of fruits and
vegetables of the experimental mar
ket news service inaugurated in 1915
the Secretary reports, has resulted
in insistent demands for an extern
sion of the work. During the past
year telegraphic reports have been
received from 33 important metro
politan markets and from all rail-
roads serving producing territory.
This information has been furnished
to growers, shippers, and distribu-
tors. The actual monetary saving
due to wider knowledge of market
| conditions has exceeded the cost of
the service many fold. Some of the
benefits resulting from this attempt
| to develop for the farmer reliable
business basis, the report states, are
the education of producers in the
proper marketing Of farm products,
the avoidance of unnecessary loss
| due to diversions in transit, and the
encouragement given to growers who
desire to reach new consuming CEN
ters. Followin a systematic survey
of the centralized live stock mar
kets and study of the methods and
costs of marketing live stock and
meats, plans have been developed
for the Inauguration Of a demonstra-
ton market news service for live
stock similar to that now being con-
Quoted for perishable crops An ap-
preparation of $4,000 is available for
this purpose and will be utilized dur
ing the present fiscal year.
The Investigations concerning me-
thods of handling and grading per-
ishable products and the practicable
| ity of the Standardization of the
products and their containers have
progreser rapidly. Several stand
ardization laws, Federal and State
have been enacted during the year.
| The enforcement of the Food and
Drugs Act is discussed in some de.
tail. The Secretary staes that the
reorganization of the Bureau OF
Chemistry, which took place in 1913
has effected material reduction ir
the cost of operation and has made
possible the accomplishment Of sub.
stantial results. AS result of the
activities of the bureau, there has
been a marked improvement in the
quality Of articles in common use
such, as eggs, milk, beans, shellfsh
citrus, fruit, tomato products, can.
ned foods, and cottonseed meal and
other feed for animals, entering in.
} terstate commerce.
The second years operation of the
cooperative agricultural extension
act of May 8, 1914, according to the
Secretary, has been attended with {
} steady development of the nation
} wide system Of practical instruction
in agriculture and home economics.
, The Secretary states that the hall
; of agriculture embracing the mar
keting of farm products, rural fl
nance, and rural organization has
strikingly occupied attention during
the last three and one-half years. HI
| points out that in view of the com
plexity and novelty Of the problems
the accomplishments, legislative ane
administrative, have been notable
and significant. He refers to the es
tablishment and rapid growth of thu
Office of Markets anr Rural Organi
cation and to the enactment of :
number of highly important laws
the cotton-futures act, the United
graln-standards act, the United