Arizona republican., 1917-03-22
VALLEY SURVEY
FOR MARKETING
NOW UNDER NAY
Government Expert Confers
with Prominent Men Who
Have Made Investigation
by Government Possible

Just two years ago a little group of
men who had the best interests of the
Salt River Valley at heart met in
Phoenix and began the discussion of
plans for improving the market condi-
tons of the various crops produced in
the valley. For a long time those most
familiar with the situation have been
firm in the belief that the problem of
selling the produce is the most irnpor-
tant Of any that confronted the pro-
ducers, and Furthermore that the in
terests of the producer and the bust
ness men were and are Identical
For many months the plans have
been discussed in a quiet sort of a
way, and gradually there has been
evolved general plan which in its en-
tirety required the help of market
expert. Through Influential residents
of the Salt River Valley the United
States Department of Agriculture was
induced to send one of their best men
to this valley to cooperate with the
special committee in making a survey
of the valley, which shall become a
basis for cooperative work among the
producers built on right foundations SO
that in the end there can be formed
organizations as efficient or even more
So than those which are known all
MIA Fruit Growers and many others,
which have meant so much to the pro-
ducers.
The committee which is known as
the Committee on Agricultural De-
velopment and Marketing" held an i'm
portant meeting yesterday afternoon
at which the market expert ]. H. Col
Inns outlined briefly the work which
must be done.
Expert Talks of Valley
Mr.. Collins. in his talk called atten-
ton to the fact that the agricultural
interests of the Salt River valley were
wonderfully diversified considering
the limited acres of production. The
statement that more than 25 farm
crops are produced in acreage. exceed
ing 500 acres EACH is an excellent ex-
ample of the extent to which diversi-
flcatlon has been carried. The very
fact that the interests of the valley are
so diversified makes necessary a COM
plete and detailed study of the outlets
and markets for these crops If the ac-
Invites of the valley are to be carried
on in an organized manner. the prob
lem must be studied along the differ
ent lines. The first and basic line of
investigation will cover the crops.
acreages, seasons of production and
harvesting. varieties and grades, and
commercial packages. This work is
regarded as fundamental and is ex-
pected to form the basis upon which
future organizations will be built.
The question of harvesting, seasons.
varieties and grades has very pointed
significance for the growers. If the
agricultural activities of the Salt River
| Valley are to become firmly established
1t will be necessary for the products to
| be placed on the markets at such time
and in such quantities. and of such
variety as will nullify to the greatest
extent the effect of competition from
areas which normally compete most
actively with the Salt River Valley.
Commercial Outlets
The second line of investigation will
concern itself with a detailed study of
the commercial outlets available to the
producers in the valley. This study.
naturally divides itself into two parts;
namely complete analysis of the prob
lens incidental to the distribution of
products to the local or state markets.
Secondly, the distribution of carlot
shipments to the large markets of the
east and north. 1t is expected that
complete information on the crops
moved to both of these types of mar
kets will be studied and particularly
those of the state
The third line of work will cover a
study of crops in the valley. This
work viii take into consideration eX-
listing organizations, the history of CO.
operative endeavor in the past The
probability Of fostering, encouraging
and promoting the efforts of existing
organizations and the possibility OF
consolidating the cooperative efforts of
the valley if such crops should prove